These Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs are easy to make in the crock pot. This recipe only takes 3 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep! Doesn’t get better than that.
These meatballs are a tried and true appetizer recipe of mine. They literally couldn’t be easier to make and everyone always loves them. Other easy go-to’s are little smokies, meatball sliders and pigs in a blanket.
Table of Contents
The Perfect Appetizer
These crockpot BBQ grape jelly meatballs are one of my family’s favorite meatball recipes. They are seriously so good and the perfect appetizer for game day! They almost remind me of sweet and sour meatballs but taste better.
My Grandpa has been making these crockpot meatballs for years and we always loved them growing up. My sister even talked him into making them as an appetizer at her wedding. Everyone loved them! Now of course my family has their actual “homemade meatballs recipe,” which are just as amazing.
The best part about BBQ meatballs is that no one would ever know how simple they are to make. Turn them into a main dish and serve them over sticky rice like I do with honey garlic meatballs. YUM!
3 simple ingredients!
These slow cooker grape jelly meatballs are so easy to make. You just need the 3 ingredients below to get started:
- Meatballs: I love getting the frozen meatballs from Costco or Kroger. They taste the best in my opinion. Homemade meatballs taste great as well if you have the time.
- Grape jelly: I keep it simple and use Smucker’s grape jelly.
- BBQ Sauce: Sweet baby ray’s BBQ sauce is my personal favorite. :) You can also make a homemade BBQ sauce if preferred.
How to Make Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
- Add ingredients to crockpot. Pour grape jelly and BBQ sauce in the bottom of your crockpot. Add in the meatballs and stir until fully coated.
- Cook meatballs in crockpot. Cook frozen meatballs in crockpot for 2 to 3 hours on high, or until warm. Make sure to stir a few times throughout.
- Serve and enjoy! Garnish with sliced green onions if desired and serve as an appetizer or main dish.
Variations
There are plenty of ways to easily mix up the flavors in this recipe. Check out some other yummy variations below:
- Sub Heinz chili sauce for BBQ sauce for an extra kick, like I did with these chili sauce meatballs.
- Replace grape jelly with 16 ounces sliced or diced pineapple for Hawaiian meatballs.
- Use 1/4 cup honey instead of jelly for a a little healthier alternative (add more or less to to taste).
- Make cranberry meatballs with leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving. Sub an equal amount of cranberry sauce for grape jelly.
- Use 2 packages of little smokies instead of meatballs.
FAQ
We love to serve them with coconut rice, green beans and fresh cut pineapple.
If you’d like to thicken your sauce, you can mix together a cornstarch slurry (about 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 Tablespoon of water) and stir it into the sauce and allow it to simmer.
This is the base of the sauce (which helps thicken it) and brings the best flavor. I promise you won’t taste the grape flavor.
More Easy Appetizers:
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- 4-Ingredient Cheese Ball
- Easy 7-Layer Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
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Crockpot Bbq Meatballs
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (18-ounce) jar jar grape jelly
- 1 (18-ounce) jar BBQ sauce
- 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen fully cooked meatballs (about 50)
Optional: Cooked rice, Sliced green onions
Instructions
- In a medium bowl or the base of a slow cooker, combine the grape jelly and BBQ sauce. Add meatballs and stir until coated in sauce.
- Cook on high 2 to 3 hours or low 3 to 4 hours. Turn the slow cooker to warm until ready to serve.
- Enjoy as an appetizer or serve over rice and top with green onions for a main dish.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Appetizers, Crockpot, Crockpot, Dairy-Free, Mini appetizers, Reader Favorites, Super Bowl
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I am making home made meatballs should I cook them in the oven first
Hi Dawne – Yes, you’ll need to cook the meatballs first before adding to the slow cooker.
Anyone ever use a different kind of jelly? Does it come out the same?
While I find grape tastes best with the BBQ sauce, you could also use rapsberry, strawberry, apricot or apple. Just make sure it is a jelly and not a jam :)
My family loves this recipe ! It’s our go to and always is a win! And I always have these ingredients 👍
So glad to hear it’s a family favorite!
Would it be weird to do half jar of Jelly, can of cranberry sauce and BBQ sauce?
I haven’t tried, but I think it would work! It’s like a mix between these BBQ meatballs and my cranberry meatballs: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/cranberry-meatballs/
Thank you. I thought I had cranberry but I don’t. If I cut back on the Jelly would it still turn out good?
It may have a more pronounced BBQ flavor, but I think it should still be fine. Let me know how it goes if you give it a shot!
My mother has made these on and off over the years. Now I’m making them and we usually serve them with sour cream and chives mashed potatoes. The combination of sweet with savory is the BOMB!!!
Mmm that sounds SO delicious!!
Excellent! Will definitely make it again.
Whatki.dof BBQ sauce is good with this?
My favorite is the original Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce :)
Quick and easy recipe, that has become a family favorite.
I don’t have a slow cooker can I still cook them in a pot?
Hi! Yes, you could cook on the stove top. You’d probably only need about 15 to 20 minutes to simmer them.
Can you use grape jam instead of jelly?
Sure!
Can you make this the day before and just heat them up in the crockpot when people come over?
Yes, you can definitely make ahead of time :)
Would doubling this recipe fit in a crockpot? And for how long would I need to adjust the time if I am able to double it? I just got my first crockpot and this will be the third time using it :). We are having quite a few people over tomorrow night and I don’t think 1-32oz bag will be enough!
You may need to increase the cook time by 30-60 minutes. I would probably recommend doing them in 2 separate crockpots.
Trying this today husband doesnt like to try new things hope it’s a hit.
I hope he loves it!
Easy and delicious!
I’ve made these and my guests love them. Never any leftovers.
I’m so happy to hear this, Mary!
Wow wow wow I made this today for the first time for my daughters baby shower as an appetizer. Everybody loved them there was no left overs!!!
They asked for the recipe and I shared this link.
Thank you! 100% recommended.
This recipe is so easy & always a hit. If I’m in a hurry I cook the meatballs in my air fryer oven for 15 to 20 minutes. I put a liner in the crockpot (set to high) pour in bbq sauce & nuke the jelly in the microwave. Mix, then add the cooked meatballs. Then I just keep the crockpot on low. Everyone loves them.
Great tip, Lori! I’m so glad you love the recipe :)
Can I use currant jelly instead of grape jelly?
I haven’t tried, but let me know if you give it a shot!
Where did you find currant jelly? I’ve been searching for it for YEARS but haven’t found any. It’s wonderful mixed with mustard, to make cocktail wienies.
Making this right now. The real test in my families response tonight. :-) Merry Christmas 2021!! Thank you.
I hope they loved them! :)