Crock Pot Meatballs Recipe

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posted by Crissy Pageon Sep 8, 2016 (updated Jan 19, 2024) 61 comments »

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Crock Pot meatballs made with just grape jelly and BBQ sauce? Yes! This Crock Pot meatballs recipe is easy peasy and people ALWAYS love this recipe. Be a hero this holiday season and TRY THIS RECIPE!

This is my go-to recipe for meatballs. I love it because it’s so simple and takes just seconds to put in the crock pot, set and go. Let’s face it, when it comes to the holidays, game day or any special occasion, everyone loves a warm crock pot full of flavorful meatballs. I know my family can’t get enough of this super easy recipe and it’s why I keep making them over and over.

I went a little nuts when I photographed this recipe and probably included too many photos in this post. What can I say, I was hungry during the editing process!

I always make this dish for our Christmas Eve festivities, but these easy crock pot meatballs are also great as a simple weeknight dinner. We often serve them over rice with some vegetables on the side. They are so hearty and filling. Even the kids love them and that’s saying a lot.

Easy Crock Pot Meatballs Recipe

They’re also a great game day appetizer and I always make them along with my amazing sausage stuffed mini sweet peppers on Super Bowl Sunday!

Sure, you could make your own meatballs and put together a special sauce from scratch, but why? In all seriousness, there are times for complicated dishes and there are times when you just want to throw a few tried-and-true ingredients in your trusty crock pot and know that what comes out is going to be super delicious. This crockpot meatballs recipe is what you want in those moments!

Crock Pot Meatballs Recipe - Grape Jelly BBQ - 3 Ingredients! (3)

It’s funny, because the first time I tried this recipe I was pretty skeptical. I mean, frozen prepared meatballs, grape jelly and BBQ sauce? Really?

Yes, Oh, yes. It is so good!

Easy Meatballs in Crock Pot

If you end up giving my easy crock pot meatballs recipe a try this holiday season I’d love to hear what you and your family think about them. Please leave a comment below to share your feedback. Do you make your meatballs a different way? I’d love to hear your modification ideas in the comments as well!

If you’re looking for some more amazing party finger foods, check out one my favorite recipes, these bacon wrapped water chestnuts!

Ingredients

1 squeeze bottle (2 1/2 cups ) grape jelly (I used Welch's Concord Grape Jelly.)
1 18 oz. bottle barbecue sauce ( I used Sweet Baby Ray's)
1 package (2 lb.) frozen prepared meatballs

Instructions

Add grape jelly and barbecue sauce to a slow cooker, stir to blend well. Stir in meatballs to coat. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 3 1/2 hours, stirring halfway during the cook time.

Appetizers Crockpot

originally published on Sep 8, 2016 (last updated Jan 19, 2024)

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61 comments on “Crock Pot Meatballs (3-ingredients!)”

JET — December 29, 2021 @ 5:23 pm Reply
I would really like to find the recipe in this mess of pictures and comments.
Terry — December 24, 2021 @ 6:08 pm Reply
I have homemade meatballs in the crackpot as I write this. I’ve never made this recipe, although I have heard of it. Not trying to hate on it, it’s that when people taste mine, they want the recipe. I’ve had this recipe forever, my mom and my grandma, always made this, now I do. I don’t use barbecue sauce, I use chili sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, lemon juice and brown sugar. It’s more savory is what I’m told. I’ve never had a store bought meatball…lol too easy and quick to make my own. Merry Christmas!
- Terry — December 24, 2021 @ 6:10 pm Reply
  I should add mine are baked. I’m merely warming them up in the crackpot! Only takes 30 minutes in the oven 😊
  - Mary — December 28, 2021 @ 2:21 pm
    Really Terry?
Mari — June 30, 2020 @ 11:31 pm Reply
Anyone try this on the stove or oven? If so how long?
- christine — December 14, 2020 @ 5:15 pm Reply
  about an hour on 325…sear meatballs first on stovetop till browned…I think better than crockpot.and if you are “home”, why not?
- Julie W. — November 16, 2022 @ 9:50 am Reply
  I bake my meatballs in the oven first @350 for 30-35 minutes and then add to the warmed up sauce in the crockpot pot. I like the texture of the meatballs better that way and it’s faster.
Marti — December 11, 2019 @ 4:39 pm Reply
What size crockpot did you use?

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Frances — October 28, 2019 @ 9:51 am Reply
I use chili sauce in the bottles instead of the BBQ.
- Dannie — December 14, 2020 @ 10:20 am Reply
  So do I! They’re the best!
Tonya — October 26, 2019 @ 8:06 pm Reply
My family and coworkers love this recipe
Rating: 5
Linda Zrubek — August 22, 2019 @ 3:01 am Reply
Did you use precooked packaged meatballs? I need for a group of 60-70 people. What brand did you use??
- Crissy Page — August 22, 2019 @ 8:57 am Reply
  Yes, I buy frozen meatballs. I have used several brands, usually Great Valu from Walmart.
- Lori — December 20, 2019 @ 11:00 am Reply
  I used IKEAs frozen meatballs. They were great!
  Rating: 5
Rebekah — January 21, 2019 @ 10:53 pm Reply
This was a really easy appetizers that everyone enjoyed! So easy my husband who doesn’t really cook made it. ?
Rating: 5
Jennifer Norris — January 10, 2019 @ 11:23 pm Reply
My coworker made this for a potluck at work and I loved them! So happy to find the Recipe! Thank you for sharing . Cant wait to make for me and my family
Rating: 5
Terry — December 20, 2018 @ 10:42 pm Reply
I have made this recipe for years. My family and friends love it. It’s so simple and taste great. I do make my own meatballs though but I do that the night before. If you are pressed for time, buy the premade meatballs. I will always use this recipe because it is the best sauce be recipe I’ve eaten.
Rating: 5
- Lisa — November 22, 2019 @ 11:23 am Reply
  Terry,
  Do you have a recipe for your homemade meatballs that you use?
  Thanks,
  Lisa
Joanna Yarbrough — December 8, 2018 @ 9:12 am Reply
I made this for my nieces baby shower… MMM good
Rating: 5
Claudia — December 7, 2018 @ 6:36 pm Reply
Do you put the meatballs in frozen?
Cindy — April 28, 2018 @ 12:23 am Reply
We just made swedish meatballs, could we have made them in a crock pot?
Joe Spinney — March 18, 2018 @ 3:42 pm Reply
I tried your recipe for my meatballs! And I added mini hot dogs and kielbasa and it all just tastes fantastic!
Rating: 5
Katie Livingston — January 25, 2018 @ 11:19 am Reply
Do you thaw the meatballs or put them in frozen?
Pingback: NYE 2017
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Meranda — December 17, 2017 @ 12:47 pm Reply
Can I use strawberry jelly
- Rebbeca — September 22, 2018 @ 2:54 pm Reply
  I did and it tasted just the same. Wonderful and delicious either way.
Monica — November 12, 2017 @ 11:17 am Reply
I want to double the crockpot meatball recipe. How long should it cook? Thanks!
Caroline — September 6, 2017 @ 3:06 pm Reply
Does this recipe freeze well?
- Crissy Page — September 6, 2017 @ 9:15 pm Reply
  I haven’t tried it, but should be fine!
Alexis — February 23, 2017 @ 12:46 am Reply
I just made this for church on Sunday. I actually used this barbecue sauce and Kraft sweet honey barbecue and the jelly. The meatballs turned out very good. Their wasn’t any left to take home.
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Kasha — December 31, 2016 @ 10:55 am Reply
I’ve done this recipe a few times, but switched it up a bit. I used the grape jelly and horseradish mustard instead of the Bbq sauce, it’s not too sweet, and the mustard gives it that tang and a kick from the horseradish. It’s more sweet and spicy.
- Elaine Conness — December 23, 2018 @ 1:41 am Reply
  I use both BBQ Sauce and spicy mustard. You get the sweet and the pungent.
PK — December 30, 2016 @ 8:24 pm Reply
Is there any way you could fit more annoying ads on this page so it’s harder to read? Just checking. I think you might have some room.
- Linda Branum — December 11, 2020 @ 9:20 pm Reply
  Gotta be a hater trying to ruin a good thing.
  I use Welches Concord jelly one squeeze bottle and 2 tablespoons of plain yellow mustard. It’s also great with mini saug or Erick sausages.
Katherine Cicigoi — December 22, 2016 @ 10:51 pm Reply
I had forgotten this tried & true recipe. Thanks for bringing it out again. It’s always a winner, CHRISTMAS EVE or 4TH of JULY.
Can’t go wrong with this!!!
Katlyn — December 14, 2016 @ 12:30 pm Reply
I’ve seen a similar recipe for Lil smokies, do you think it would work to do both meatballs and little smokies in the same crockpot?
Donna Brown — November 20, 2016 @ 10:49 pm Reply
Can I cook in crock pot on low for 6-7 hours instead of high?
Lauren — November 17, 2016 @ 1:12 pm Reply
I plan on making these for our first annual Friendsgiving. We will be having a lot of people over so can I assume to double the grape jelly/BBQ sauce if I use two bags of meatballs?
Nikki — October 19, 2016 @ 9:35 am Reply
Do you think I could double this recipe in one crockpot? Would the cooktime be the same?
- Melissa — October 21, 2016 @ 11:13 pm Reply
  I’m wondering the same thing!
- PeeBee — December 29, 2021 @ 2:18 am Reply
  Add another 1/2 hr, test taste
  Repeat until done to Baby Bear standard (juuust right!)
Laurie — October 16, 2016 @ 11:50 pm Reply
I made this for a family reunion today and everyone loved them! Even the kids were raving about them! Thanks for sharing!
cathy davila — October 6, 2016 @ 7:40 pm Reply
If I wanted to do Teriyaki meatballs what would the recipe be to make the teriyaki sauce
Linda Michalak — October 1, 2016 @ 6:40 pm Reply
Wow i grew up with this recipe only mom use mini hot dogs. We hwd it every christmas!
Linda Michalak — October 1, 2016 @ 6:33 pm Reply
I grow uo with this recipe using mimi hot dogs! Every chtistmas
Emily star — September 26, 2016 @ 12:01 am Reply
You can never have too many pictures!! Love this recipe. So simple yet its a crowd favorite I hear. I don’t eat meat but the sauce smells good when its cooking in the crock pot for hours.
Mike Koehler — September 17, 2016 @ 9:29 pm Reply
I’ve made this recipe numerous times and everyone loves them! I’m making them tomorrow for the football games. My gf has been bugging me to make them again haha
Vera J May — August 5, 2016 @ 11:24 pm Reply
Crissy ! These are so good ! I have also made them. with gravy ! So good. Your photos look so tasty !
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Fayna — June 9, 2016 @ 9:23 pm Reply
If you think it is too sweet, try using Cattleman’s brand sauce in the Carolina Tangy Gold flavor. Adds just enough zing to the sauce. Every time I fix them this way I do not have any leftover.
Nikki — June 6, 2016 @ 10:09 am Reply
Love these meatballs! My aunt has been making them for years and years. Now I make them with my children and we all love them.
RMS — March 27, 2016 @ 11:13 am Reply
Turned out great, but too sweet for me, personally. Thank you for sharing!
- Fran M Siditsky — February 15, 2020 @ 2:48 pm Reply
  I’ve made them with a can of jelled cranberry sauce and a bottle of chili sauce. They were very good!
Lisa — February 25, 2016 @ 4:03 pm Reply
My sauce is too thin :( what did I do wrong? I followed your recipe.
- Emily star — September 26, 2016 @ 12:02 am Reply
  Are you using an old crock pot?
- Rebbeca — September 22, 2018 @ 2:56 pm Reply
  Mine was thin as well, may just be the BBQ sauce and jelly combo. Mine also finished sooner than expected so I just put it on keep warm until dinner.
Pam Barlow — February 9, 2016 @ 10:42 pm Reply
What brand do you suggest for meatballs?
- Vivian lind — February 15, 2016 @ 5:07 pm Reply
  Home style meatballs works best
Tiina Vajak — February 8, 2016 @ 5:46 pm Reply
Try it with whole berry cranberry sauce instead of the grape jelly. Fantastic
Lesley Farmer — February 6, 2016 @ 3:56 pm Reply
Yes way too many of the same photos lol but, their all great pictures. Excited to try this recipe.

FAQs

Why do you put grape jelly in meatballs? ›

To make these sweet and tangy meatballs, you'll need: Grape jelly: For a sweetness that balances the chili sauce, and to provide a glossy finish to the sauce. Chili sauce: Tomato paste, spices, and garlic give this sauce its depth. Barbecue sauce: Thickens the sauce while complementing the jelly and chili sauce.

Tell Me More ›

How to make a jelly sauce for meatballs? ›

Combine grape jelly, chili sauce, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan over medium-high heat; cook until warm, 5 to 10 minutes. Place meatballs in a slow cooker and top with grape jelly mixture. Cook on Low for 3 to 4 hours.

Learn More ›

Can I substitute grape jam for grape jelly? ›

Can you substitute grape jam for grape jelly? Yes. In fact, you can mix the BBQ sauce with any flavor of vegan jelly, jam, or preserves you like.

What's a good sauce for meatballs in a crockpot? ›

Plain old-fashioned grape jelly and Heinz chili sauce are the secret to tangy, smoky, unstoppable meatballs. All you have to do is throw everything together and turn on the slow cooker. If you're using frozen meatballs, add them to the crockpot right out of the freezer.

Find Out More ›

Why are my grape jelly meatballs runny? ›

To thicken runny grape jelly meatball sauce, mix up a teaspoon of cornstarch (or even two depending on how thick you want things) with an equal amount of water. Stir this into the bubbling meatball mixture during the last hour they're in the slow cooker.

Tell Me More ›

Is it better to use milk or water in meatballs? ›

The Key to Tender Meatballs

Here, we're soaking fresh or dried breadcrumbs in a little milk until the bread becomes soggy, then mixing that right into the meat. This binder (aka panade) helps add moisture to the meatballs and also prevents the meat proteins from shrinking and becoming tough.

Keep Reading ›

Should you cook meatballs before putting in sauce? ›

You can brown the uncooked meatballs in a sauté pan before adding them to the sauce. You can brown them in the oven. Or you can skip browning altogether and put the raw meatballs straight into the sauce to cook.

Learn More Now ›

How do I get my grape jelly to set? ›

Add 25 mL (2 tbsp) sugar per 250 mL (1 cup) of jam or jelly being recooked. Return to the heat and bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil rapidly for 30 seconds. Remove from heat, skim off foam, fill hot sterilized jars, seal and process 5 minutes in a boiling water bath.

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What can I do with grape jelly that doesn't set? ›

If it still hasn't set, it's time to determine how much jam needs to be recooked. You don't want to remake more than 8 cups (4 pints) at a time. For every 4 cups of jam that needs to be remade, whisk together 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon powdered pectin.

Get More Info ›

What is the difference between grape jam and grape jelly? ›

Jams and jellies are both soft, sweet spreads made from fruit, sugar and pectin. The main difference between jam and jelly is that jam is made with fruit whereas jelly is made with fruit juice.

Which is better grape jelly or strawberry jelly? ›

"Grape jelly is not as strong and the tart flavor goes well with almost everything." Cooking blogger Helen Merritt says grape is the clear choice because it's not as prevalent. "Strawberry flavors are everywhere and grape flavor feels like something fresh and untypical," she tells Yahoo Life.

Read On ›

What is the main ingredient in grape jelly? ›

Concord Grape Juice, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Fruit Pectin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate.

Get More Info Here ›

Why do my meatballs fall apart in the slow cooker? ›

One disadvantage to the slow cooker is that meatballs may fall apart if you put them in the pot raw. By partially cooking the meatballs before you put them in the slow cooker, you can ensure your meatballs do not fall apart.

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Do meatballs get more tender the longer they cook in sauce? ›

As the collagen in the meat dissolves over time, it transforms into gelatin, which not only adds a silky texture to the sauce but also contributes to the overall richness and depth of flavor. The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become.

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What do you eat with crockpot meatballs? ›

Serve Meatballs and Little Smokies

Potato Skins.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip.
Buffalo Chicken Dip.
Bacon Cheddar Jalapeno Pinwheels.
Jalapeno Popper Wontons.
Garlic Bread Meatball Subs.
Crockpot Sausage Cheese Dip.
Jalapeno Cream Cheese Pinwheels.

Oct 19, 2023

View Details ›

What does grape jelly do for you? ›

Yes, grape jelly can be healthy because of its pectin and antioxidants, which promote better digestion. Even versions containing less sugar, like our sugar free grape jelly, still make it the ultimate energy booster.

What makes meatballs stick together better? ›

Add a lightly beaten egg, but not too much. Egg acts as a binder for the ingredients, but you only need a small amount. One small egg will do for one pound of minced meat. Alternatively, if you're following an egg-free diet, you could soak fresh bread in milk, squeezing out any excess milk, to use as a binder.

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What do you use Concord grape jelly for? ›

Details for Concord Grape Jelly

Terrific on all breakfast breads, muffins and scones. It's also a great recipe ingredient for sauces used with co*cktail meatballs or sausages.

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What is the jam they put on Ikea meatballs? ›

There is probably no other dish that is so connected to Swedish cuisine, as meatballs with cream sauce and lingonberry jam.

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Crock Pot Meatballs Recipe - Grape Jelly BBQ - 3 Ingredients! (2024)