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These grape jelly meatballs are tossed in the crockpot for a few hours and then make a perfect snack or appetizer for game day! Meatballs with grape jelly and chili sauce might sound a little crazy, but the sauce transforms into something amazing while it cooks!
Raise your hand if you grew up eating Grape Jelly Meatballs at every family function, church potluck, or holiday dinner!!
Yep. These are a total vintage recipe that both mom and grandma used to make and I’m for sure continuing the tradition, just like with our cold veggie pizza.
The name sounds weird – Grape Jelly Meatballs. I mean…no, thank you. Sounds ick. But ooh, you just have to trust the process!
Chili sauce and grape jelly combine to make the perfect sauce…it’s a lot like barbecue sauce in that it’s sweet with a little kick to it. So good and seriously irresistible with meatballs!
We do grape jelly lil smokies too. Just the same, but with cocktail sausages instead of meatballs.
You might think meatballs with grape jelly sounds weird, and your’e not wrong, but if you’ve never tried these I implore you to give them a shot.
Ingredient Notes:
Frozen Meatballs: Grab a bag of homestyle frozen meatballs for this. Homemade meatballs also work, but we like to keep it simple with this 3 ingredient recipe.
Grape Jelly: Any brand will do, but we love Smucker’s. Preferably the kind without high fructose corn syrup!
Chili Sauce: This is in a glass bottle near the ketchup. We prefer Heinz brand. It’s similar to ketchup but has a little kick to it. We use it in our chili mac, too.
How To Make Meatballs with Grape Jelly:
Add the grape jelly and chili sauce to a slow cooker and stir to combine. Add the meatballs and stir to coat.
Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
Serve with toothpicks as a snack/appetizer or over rice or mashed potatoes for a simple dinner!
Grape Jelly Meatballs Serving Suggestions:
We love to serve these right from the crockpot with a pile of toothpicks at parties, football games, etc. People grab a plateful of meatballs, pop in some toothpicks, and munch away!
A few other party favorites include our homemade pizza rolls, chili cheese dip, and Rotel dip!
For dinner, serve these over a pile of our Instant Pot mashed potatoes, a side of rice pilaf, or with some Amish egg noodles.
Recipe FAQs:
These are perfect as an appetizer , with toothpicks stuck in them for easy serving. They also make a great main course, served over rice or mashed potatoes.
Any variety of frozen meatballs will work in this recipe, though we do prefer homestyle meatballs. Italian meatballs work great in a pinch, though!
The two sauces are quite similar, but chili sauce has a bit of spice to it with a more bold flavor. They’re both tomato based sweet sauces and both make a great dip for fries or topping for burgers.
We don’t actually put the jelly inside of the meatballs, but we do use grape jelly to make a sweet, sticky, tangy sauce that coats the meatballs. Grape jelly and chili sauce combine together to make the perfect sauce that you just have to try to believe.
While the two may look and taste very similar, grape jam and grape jelly are actually two different things with just one small difference! Grape jelly is made with grape juice and grape jam is made with whole grapes.
More Party Favorites:
Grape Jelly Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds frozen meatballs
- 12 ounces chili sauce
- 1 1/2 cups grape jelly
Instructions
- Add the chili sauce and grape jelly to a slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Add the meatballs and stir to coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Serve as an appetizer or over rice as a main dish.
Kathy says
I also add 1/2 a can of Dole crushed pineapple. Delicious.
Karly says
Sounds like a great addition!
Nora says
Quick question.
What type of chili sauce?
Karly says
I use Heinz Chili Sauce.
Sabrina B says
just saw these on top ten list and love meatballs, so had to comment and thank you for this recipe, and no never imagined grape jelly so that’s a new one for me well worth trying!
Karly says
Hope you give them a try!
Kim says
I have been making these meatballs for over fourth years. I accidentally mixed these meatballs and Swedish Meatballs. The result, people can’t stop eating them. Just add 2 cans of beef gravy. You still have the sweet taste of the grape jelly, but the beef gravy just makes it special! I hope you try them.
Karly says
I’ll have to try that!
Amy says
If I only have Italian meatballs on hand would the flavor of those work with the sauce?
Karly says
The sauce is a bit like barbecue, so you’ll have to decide if you think Italian flavors will mesh well with that. 🙂
Linda says
I’ve read on another website not to use Italian meatballs because it will change the taste. Each to their own, I guess.
Allison says
This might be a silly question but grape jelly, like jam?
Karly says
Yes, ma’am!
Connie says
I made these with my jalapeño jelly instead of the grape. Not that I have anything against grape jelly but I have a lot of jalapeño I made this year. They are fantastic. But with a bit of a bite.
Karly says
Ooh, I bet that was amazing!
Kimberly Rinyu says
Hi! These sounds amazing but i do not eat spicy. Can i substitute something else that isn’t spicy?
Karly says
There is nothing spicy in this recipe.
Kim rinyu says
Hi ! I’m confused – the chili sauce isn’t Spicy ?
Karly says
Nope. It’s just like ketchup, but with some chili seasonings. Make sure you’re getting chili sauce and not hot chili paste and you’ll be good. Here’s what you’re looking for: http://amzn.to/2eXcOEB
Tricia says
I’ve used regular ketchup with the grape jelly and that works too if you don’t want the chili seasonings
Kim says
I have been making these meatballs since 1975. I also made a Swedish meatball recepie with beef gravy in them. By accident both crockpots got dumped in together and they made them my Families Favorite. Try adding 2 cans of beef gravy . Enjoy! At the holiday time buy the ingredience ahead because in this small town the shelf empties quick. My grandsons said not go give the secreat part of the recipie away.
Karly says
Ooh, interesting! I might try that!
Linda says
Do you think it is possible to freeze these meatballs? I have been creating make a head meals lately and am wondering how they would hold up. I totally love the idea of adding to rice for a main dish! Thank you!
Karly says
Hmm, I’m not sure. I’d be a little worried about taking an already frozen product, heating it, and then refreezing it.
Linda says
Oh Karly, you are so right! LOL my brain was in make from scratch mode. (Make and form my own meatballs, bake for about 15 minutes just so they don’t fall apart and then put in the crock pot with the other ingredients.) I am always on the lookout for new delicious freezer meals that I could just reheat later and I do think your recipe has inspired me! Thank you!
Dawni M says
This sounds so yummie !! But, I think I would prefer making homemade meatballs instead of using frozen. However, I’m curious… Do you think it will be just as good if I put the meatballs in the slow cooker, raw? Or would it be better to brown them first either by oven or frying? Just curious. ?
Karly says
I’m not sure as I’ve never tried homemade meatballs in the slow cooker before.
Frances says
How do you keep homemade meatloaf or homemade meatballs from falling apart when cooking in the oven. Mine always does
Karly says
I cook meatballs on a high heat for a short amount of time, so maybe that’s the trick? I don’t ever have an issue with meatloaf falling apart though. Maybe you need more or less binder? Hard to say.
Dawn Lee says
Def brown your meatballs before you put them in the slow cooker! Browness is yummyness!
Mary Doxey says
oops! I picked up cocktail sauce. Has anyone used this instead of chili sauce?
Abby says
HI,
Thanks for the help…. I now have pineapple, Apricot & Raspberry on my TO DO list now…. I love this recipe –so easy !
Debbie says
I have used elderberry jelly, and also wild plum jelly. Both were a big hit, but most people preferred the elderberry. I realize elderberry is hard to come by.
Abby says
Hi,
I am wondering if anyone has used other flavors of jelly… like apricot, raspberry, pineapple etc. ? this is just wonderful and so easy, I used it for the holidays last year & ended up making several batches.
Thanks for any help & advise anyone can share.
Karly says
I haven’t myself, but I know others have. I believe apricot is a big hit. 🙂
Dee Ludlow says
Red currant jelly is what I use!
Suzan Greenberg says
Do you out the meatballs in the crock pot frozen o do you thaw them first?
Karly says
Just toss them in frozen. 🙂
GLH says
Haha! This is exactly the question I was looking for an answer to! Thank you!!