Sweet and tangy grape jelly meatballs are a classic party appetizer and so EASY to make! Prepare these sticky cocktail meatballs in the crock pot with just 3 ingredients.
These slow cooker grape jelly meatballs are perfect for the holidays and beyond. Serve them with more easy appetizers like smoked salmon dip, baked brie, and roasted chestnuts!
There’s something about cocktail meatballs that always reminds me of the holidays. Probably because that’s when I have my crock pot out 24/7, and juicy, sticky-sweet grape jelly meatballs are a staple at all of our Thanksgiving and Christmas parties. This recipe needs just 3 ingredients, so it’s a cinch to make. I can practically smell these meatballs with grape jelly simmering in the slow cooker already!
What Makes Grape Jelly Meatballs So Good?
- 3 ingredients. I use frozen meatballs, grape jelly, and ketchup, and it makes the BEST sticky, flavorful, and addictive meatball appetizer ever. It’s also easy to play around with ingredient swaps and seasonings if you need to.
- Party-ready. I make this recipe in the crock pot. Not only do crock pot grape jelly meatballs leave my hands free during parties and holidays, but it also means that I can make a giant batch. They’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser and it’s super easy.
- Moist and full of flavor. Sometimes the best flavors come from simple ingredients (see point #1). These juicy grape jelly meatballs are the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Cooking them low and slow gives the meatballs plenty of time to soak up all that flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You need only three ingredients to make this easy grape jelly meatballs recipe in your crock pot, plus some extra seasoning. I like to use garlic powder. If you don’t have it, feel free to leave it out or use an equal amount of onion powder as a substitute.
Check out some more ingredient notes here, and scroll down to the recipe card for a printable list with the full recipe details.
- Ketchup – Ketchup has a tangy savoriness that balances out the sweetness of the jelly. You could also use barbecue sauce. Another option is tomato paste. In this case, I recommend adding a splash of apple cider vinegar for tang (to taste).
- Grape Jelly – The classic choice for grape jelly meatballs, obviously. That being said, there are substitutes (see below).
- Meatballs – This slow cooker recipe works best with frozen meatballs. These can be store-bought pork, chicken, or beef, it’s up to you! I’ve also made this recipe with batches of homemade pork meatballs and turkey meatballs I stashed in the freezer.
What Can I Substitute for Grape Jelly?
If needed, you can replace the grape jelly in this recipe with another type of jelly or preserves. Good substitutes are raspberry jelly, cranberry sauce, apricot preserves, marmalade, and hot pepper jelly.
How to Make Crock Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
The beauty of this easy appetizer recipe is that you basically dump everything in the crock pot or slow cooker and hit “go”! Here’s what you can expect.
- Load the crock pot. First, whisk the jelly with ketchup and garlic powder. Add the sauce and meatballs to the slow cooker and stir to coat.
- Cook! Set the meatballs to cook on High for 4 hours. If you can, stir them every hour or so throughout the cooking time.
- Serve. Scoop the meatballs onto a platter next to toothpicks or skewers for serving. Sometimes, I’ll switch the crock pot to Warm and serve them right from the pot!
Recipe Tips
- Make the meatballs ahead of time. If I know I’ll be making these for a holiday party, rather than buying store-bought meatballs, I’ll make a few batches of oven-baked meatballs or air fryer meatballs and store them in the freezer. This way they’re ready to go, and made with love!
- Give it some kick. Replace the ketchup with sweet chili sauce to bring a hint of heat to these jelly meatballs. You could also go half and half. On the other hand, if you don’t want spicy meatballs, make sure to buy mild chili sauce.
- Vegetarian. Buy frozen meatless meatballs, or use this easy vegetarian meatballs recipe and freeze them beforehand.
- Different sauce. If grape jelly isn’t your thing, you can adapt this recipe with another sauce. Try cooking the meatballs in homemade barbecue sauce or make teriyaki meatballs instead.
What to Serve With Cocktail Meatballs
Grape jelly meatballs are almost as synonymous with the holidays as a roast turkey and cranberry sauce around here! Their flavor and size make them perfectly snackable. I usually sprinkle the meatballs with chopped parsley and serve them as a party app with cocktail skewers. They go great with a welcome drink, like eggnog or a hot spiked apple cider.
Pair these meatballs with more festive finger food like bacon and chives cheese balls, this flaky pastry wreath, and homemade pierogi.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Meatballs
- Refrigerate. We rarely have leftovers, but when we do, I’ll refrigerate the meatballs and any leftover sauce in an airtight container. They’ll last for 3-4 days in the fridge.
- Reheat. I recommend reheating grape jelly meatballs on a lined baking sheet in the oven, or you can use the stove or microwave.
- Freeze. Grape jelly meatballs can be sealed in a container or freezer bag and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge before reheating.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
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Load the crock pot. Whisk together the ketchup, jelly, and garlic powder. Add the meatballs to the crockpot and pour the jelly mixture over them. Stir to coat the meatballs thoroughly.
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Cook. Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours, stirring every hour or so if you can.
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Serve. Serve the cocktail meatballs warm skewered with toothpicks as a fun party appetizer.
Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
