Homemade Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

Love appetizers? I do! These Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs are tasty, easy, and fun for parties, game days, and pretty much any other occasion.

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Meatballs are delicious in any way, shape, or form. I will admit that right off the bat. They are one of those recipes, especially in appetizer form, that I’m drawn to, and these Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs are some of the best.

I love a good appetizer and these Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs are such a classic one that everyone seems to enjoy, we do.

The difference here is that my meatballs are homemade instead of using frozen! Making homemade meatballs for this recipe is super easy and results in more flavor.

Talk about a crowd favorite. Plus, if you have any leftover meatballs, they’re just as good the next day! An easy appetizer with simple ingredients goes a long way.

I don’t know if there is such a thing as a perfect appetizer, but this comes close at the very least. Try your own homemade meatballs at your next party and see.

This is an easy recipe that you will want to keep around, because you know you’ll be making it because everyone who tries it will ask for it.

That is usually what happens in our case, so these Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs are one of our most made recipes for any gathering. 

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Jump to:

• WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
• INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
• HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER GRAPE JELLY MEATBALLS:
• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
• DO I HAVE TO USE GROUND BEEF AND PORK?
• CAN I USE FROZEN MEATBALLS?
• CAN I USE SOMETHING OTHER THAN CHILI SAUCE?
• ANY ADDITIONS?
• ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
• HOW TO STORE:
• DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
• Homemade Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

1. With easy-to-find ingredients, this recipe is a breeze to make.
2. You can cook these crockpot meatballs on high or low depending on how much of a hurry you are in.
3. If you want to make these faster you CAN use frozen meatballs.

• Eggs
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Grape jelly
• Chili sauce
• Parsley, optional

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1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large sheet tray with foil, set aside.
2. Beat the eggs in a large bowl, stir in the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until combined. 
3. Add the meat and mix to combine, I like to do this by hand.
4. Take 1 ½ tablespoons of the meat mixture (I like to use a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop for this) and roll it into a ball. 
5. Place it on the sheet tray, make sure they are not touching. Repeat with the remaining meat. 
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.
7. Add the meatballs to the slow cooker, drain off any excess fat. 
8. Add the grape jelly and chili sauce to the slow cooker and stir everything until coated. If the grape jelly doesn’t mix in all the way that’s okay.
9. Slow cook for 2-3 hours on high or 4-5 hours on low, stirring every 30 minutes or so to make sure the sauce doesn’t burn. 
10. They are ready when the sauce is thickened, you can set it on warm for up to three hours, stirring occasionally. 
11. Garnish with parsley, optional.

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DO I HAVE TO USE GROUND BEEF AND PORK?

We use this combination of meat for a lot of our meatballs as it creates great flavor but you do not have to use both.

If you want to use just beef you can.

You also can just use pork as well, or even ground chicken would work for these too!

CAN I USE FROZEN MEATBALLS?

You can, we like making homemade because we can control the flavor of the meatballs themselves and it is totally worth the extra step.

But I can see if you are in a hurry and want to just pop it in the crockpot you can use frozen, I would use homestyle for this recipe and not Italian flavored.

CAN I USE SOMETHING OTHER THAN CHILI SAUCE?

You can, while chili sauce is the traditional ingredient used in these meatballs, you can substitute it with ketchup or BBQ sauce as well. 

We have done this when we didn’t have chili sauce on hand and it still tastes great, so don’t worry if you can’t find it or do not enjoy it.

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ANY ADDITIONS?

No need to stick to the original recipe.

These slow cooker meatballs have plenty of room for additions.

• Barbecue sauce: Add a drizzle of your favorite bbq sauce (like Sweet Baby Ray’s) to the sauce ingredients for a smoky twist—turning these into crockpot bbq grape jelly meatballs.
• Cranberry sauce: Replace a part of the grape jelly with cranberry sauce to create tangy cranberry meatballs—great for holiday parties.
• Red pepper flakes: Sprinkle some in if you like a little kick and want slightly spicy meatballs.
• Minced onion or bell pepper: Stir in for extra crunch and flavor—great if you’re turning these into a main dish.
• Shredded cheese: Top the meatballs with cheddar or mozzarella near the end for a gooey, delicious recipe that feels more like a main course.
• Garlic powder or Italian seasoning: For a more herby taste if you want to lean into Italian meatballs territory.
• Pineapple chunks: Give them a sweet-and-sour vibe reminiscent of sour meatballs.
• BBQ rub or cajun seasoning: If you love a strong seasoning profile—just go light at first!
• Jalapeño slices: For those who really enjoy a spicy flavor, place some slices on top toward the end of the cook time.
• Honey or maple syrup: If you prefer less tang and more sweetness, stir in a little honey or syrup for a sweet dimension.

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

You know, these would probably be great on a meatball sandwich. It’s a great recipe for changing up.

• Ketchup instead of chili sauce or barbecue sauce for a milder flavor—perfect for kiddos or picky eaters, turning this into a super simple recipe.
• Spicy barbecue sauce if you’re short on chili sauce—still gets that tangy, sweet effect, especially in slow cooker grape jelly meatballs.
• Turkey or chicken meatballs if you’re aiming for leaner meat—cook times remain the same for best results.
• Apple jelly or peach preserves in place of the jar of grape jelly for a surprising twist—still keeps that sweet tang.
• Beef stock or a splash of water if you want to thin out the sauce—useful if you prefer a runnier coating on your great appetizer.
• Low-sugar grape jelly for those watching sugar intake—taste test to see if you need extra chili sauce or brown sugar for flavor.

If you have leftovers you can place them in an airtight container or ziptop bag with sauce and store them in the refrigerator, these should keep for up to 3-4 days.

These can also be frozen, cool your meatballs and sauce. Once cooled, place in a freezer bag and place in the freezer where they will keep for up to 3 months.

To reheat, remove them to the refrigerator overnight, and you can reheat them in a saucepan on the stovetop until your meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160 F.

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Want that perfect homemade appetizer that is a classic and everyone asks for?

You need to make my Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs.

Don’t forget the printable recipe card!

If you’ve tried these SLOW COOKER GRAPE JELLY MEATBALLS let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!