Delicious Grape Jelly Meatballs – classic party appetizer with only 3 ingredients! The easiest and most delicious meatball recipe around! You can make the meatballs three different ways – on the stove top, in the slow cooker, or in the oven. The perfect appetizer for holiday parties and game day. Equally delicious as a main course served over white rice for a simple dinner.
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Pin This RecipeEasy Party Meatball Recipe
The first time I had these meatballs was several years ago at a Christmas party. I absolutely loved them! I could not stop eating them. Chicken Legs get would get some extra meatballs on his plate so I could eat extra without people noticing. I was shocked when I found out how they were made. The secret ingredient is grape jelly! Chili sauce and grape jelly combine to make a delicious bbq sauce.I can promise you I would have never tried them if I had known they had grape jelly in them. Who knew it would be SO good! This easy appetizer is a must for game day!
How to Make Easy Grape Jelly Meatballs
These meatballs are ridiculously easy to make with only three ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together chili sauce and grape jelly. Place frozen meatballs into a large pot or Dutch oven. Pour grape jelly sauce over the top of the meatballs. Toss to coat. Cook over medium heat for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve the cooked meatballs in a large bowl.
Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
- I use store-bought meatballs. You can use any flavor you prefer. Turkey meatballs, Italian meatballs, ground beef meatballs, and chicken meatballs all work great.
- I prefer 1/2-ounce frozen meatballs.
- There is no need to thaw the meatballs before cooking.
- Can substitute cooked homemade meatballs.
- For the chili sauce, look for Heinz Chili Sauce. It is near the ketchup at the store.
- Add a little bit of cayenne pepper for a little kick.
- Can I make Grape Jelly Meatballs in the oven? Sure! Combine all the ingredients and spread them into a baking dish. Bake the meatballs according to the package directions.
- Can I make Party Meatballs in the Slow Cooker? Yes! Make the grape jelly sauce. Place the meatballs in the crockpot. Pour sauce over the meatballs and toss to coat. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the meatballs are hot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- You can reheat leftovers in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the slow cooker.
What to Serve with Cocktail Meatballs
These meatballs are great for parties or a quick dinner. If we are eating these for dinner, we usually serve them over rice with green beans and a roll.
These meatballs are a staple at all of our tailgates and holiday parties. Everyone loves them! If you are making these for large groups, you might want to double the recipe. These things go fast! Add this easy recipe to your next party menu. They are a crowd favorite!
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Grape Jelly Meatballs
Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 1 (32-oz) bag ½-oz frozen meatballs
- 1 (12-oz) jar grape jelly
- 1 (12-oz) jar Chili Sauce
Instructions:
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, combine all ingredients. Simmer 25-30 minutes, until meatballs are warmed through.
- If using a slow cooker, heat the meatballs for 1-2 hours.
Notes:
- I used 1/2-ounce frozen meatballs. There is no need to thaw the meatballs before cooking.
- For the chili sauce, look for Heinz Chili Sauce. It is near the ketchup at the store.
- Can I make Grape Jelly Meatballs in the oven? Sure! Combine all the ingredients and bake according to the package directions.
- You can reheat leftovers in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the slow cooker.
Steph
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Delicious! Also great with seedless raspberry jam and chili sauce. I put all in a slow cooker or in a large enough pot on low heat. Cook everything low and slow and let it gently mix.
Such a great recipe!!thank you
Hey, Stephanie! I plan to make these for our work tailgate tomorrow! I was planning on just bringing in my crockpot to plug in… would you sugeest 1-2 hours on high or low? Thank you!
I would say 1 -2 hours on low. Enjoy!
Is the cook time for thawed meatballs or still frozen?
I used the meatballs still frozen.
We do the meatballs and grape jelly and salsa
YUM! I will definitely try that!
I think I need a whole crock pot of these…like now! Yum!
I make these every year at Xmas. They are the BEST! Love your blog…
I LOVE this recipe.
By age 9 I was hooked on these little gems.
My version is a little bit different as well. I use bbq sauce like a previous poster but some mustard along with it. Mine always go in the slow cooker but I have to have it in there for at least 8 hours even though they are frozen meatballs. Mainly because the longer they have been in the sauce cooking the better it taste in my opinion.
Hey there
Steph,
Am thinking about trying these and just happen to have frozen balls in my freezer although they are Italian style, did you ever use them in this recipe?
I haven't use Italian style meatballs, but I think they would work fine
i make these all the time, but instead i use whole jellied cranberries, pasta sauce, saurkraut, & brown . throw it all in a slow cooker comes out delicious! I'm not a fan of saurkraut or cranberries by themselves, but combined it makes a surprisingly good meatball sauce
brown sugar* my bad
I hope the Auburn magic continues today.
It did continue and we even got help from Michigan State! It has been an amazin season!!
Grape jelly and plain yellow mustard works great also.
I haven't had these in years! We did the grape jelly with Heinz Chile sauce and with Sweet Baby Rays. Also added some hot pepper jelly to it like Lynn Huntley does. Gives a nice zing to some of the batches.
I remember having these at parties in the 1970s (Yikes! That long ago? LOL) The sauce is also very good to pour over a meatloaf and bake.
My mother used to make meatballs very similar to these! Wow, I hadn't thought about those in a while. Instant craving!
I have love using this recipe on little smokies, but I use bold and spicy mustard instead of chili sauce….
sounds good!
I have made made these many times, but have never used frozen meatballs before…great idea:) I like to add 1/3 cup hot pepper jelly the sauce! Nice and spicy:)
I love spicy too!
Cut the jelly down to 6 oz. and add a can of jellied cranberry sauce and your taste buds will thank you!
I'll try that next time – sounds good!
????WARRRRRRRRR EAGGGGGGGGGGLE HEY???? ( we'll make meatballs out of those Missouri tigers!!)
Sweet baby Ray's BBQ sauce works well also. As an alternative to the Heinz sauce.
Wow, such an easy recipe. I think I have some meatballs in the freezer 😉
Sweet baby Ray's BBQ sauce works well also. As an alternative to the Heinz sauce.
Yeah, these little suckers are addicting.
Yummy! My favorite way to do meatballs or little smokies.
You can also use the little cocktail smoked sausages…..DEEEEELISH!
My mom used to make the lil smokies for holidays back in the 80's. I haven't had them in years.