Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

These grape jelly and Barbecue sauce meatballs are both sweet and savory! They are perfect for an appetizer or a main meal and best of all they are made in the Crockpot!!

When I think of yummy, yet filling appetizers my go-to are these sweet and savory crockpot meatballs, crispy buffalo chicken nuggets, and oven-baked firecracker wings!  Each is worthy of being the star of their own meal! 

Slow Cooker grape jelly meatballs on plate

Delicious Crockpot Meatballs

I always say that potatoes are so versatile, but so are meatballs!! They can be the main course or appetizer. You can make so many different variations too. Serve them on their own, over rice, in a sandwich or in your favorite pasta dish, the possibilities are endless! 

I love today’s crockpot grape jelly and barbeque sauce meatballs. I know the flavor combination sounds odd, but take my word- they are RIDICULOUSLY DELICIOUS! Plus I love to add chili sauce to my sauce to give it a little kick.

I love to serve these on toothpicks for a quick and easy appetizer or for dinner over rice.

Homemade grape jelly meatballs raw

How to Make Grape Meatballs

Begin by mixing your breadcrumbs, milk, and egg together. Let the mixture stand for 3 minutes or until the crumbs have softened.

Next add in the onion, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper, and mix all together. Then use your hands and mix in the ground beef until everything is combined really well!

Form your meatballs using a standard size cookie scoop if you’re making dinner size meatballs or use two teaspoons to form appetizer size.

Once they are formed brown the meatballs on all sides (this helps them keep their shape). There are a couple of ways to do this:

  • Saute in your crockpot (if it has that feature)
  • In a large nonstick skillet, over medium heat
  • Place on a cookie sheet and broil for 10 minutes

After browning the meatballs, place them in your crockpot (spray with cooking spray first!). Cover them with your sauce and cook on low for 3-4 hours

Oven Variation: If you don’t have a crockpot, you can still make this yummy recipe in the oven! Follow the same prep instructions but bake the grape jelly meatballs at 350ºF for about an hour.

Browning homemade meatballs

Grape jelly meatball sauce

Meatball Variations + Flavors

If you check out my site you can see I love meatballs! There are so many variations beef, chicken, turkey, and so many flavors:

Shortcut

If you are pressed for time, you can use frozen meatballs! Cook them on low for 3-4 hours, or until the sauce is bubbly and the meatballs are heated through. You can tell this if you use a fork and try to poke through the meatballs.

Grape jelly meatballs in pot

Tips + Tricks for Storing Grape Meatballs

On the rare occurrence that you happen to have leftovers, allow the meatballs to cool and store in an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.

To reheat, my favorite way is in the oven, because it helps keep the flavor and texture. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees, but you can also reheat in the microwave until heated through! 

Grape jelly meatball recipe on plate 

For more meatball recipes, check out:

 

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Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe

These Grape Jelly And Barbecue Sauce Meatballs Are Both Sweet And Savory! They Are Perfect For An Appetizer Or A Main Meal And Best Of All They Are Made In The Crockpot!!
5 from 6 votes
Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours
Servings: 6
Calories: 441kcal
Author: Andrea
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Ingredients

For the meatballs:

  • 1/3 c. breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
  • 1/4 c. milk or buttermilk
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tbsp. minced onion
  • 1/2 tsp. dried parsley
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. coarse kosher sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1-1 1/4 lb. ground beef
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil

For the sauce:

  • 5 oz. grape jelly
  • 1/3 c. Heinz Chili Sauce
  • 1/3 c. BBQ sauce
  • 2 tbsp. water or apple juice

Instructions

  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, milk, and egg. Let the mixture stand for 3 minutes or until the crumbs have softened. Add the onion, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper, mix in. Using your hands, gently mix in the ground beef until well combined.
  • For dinner size meatballs, use a standard size cookie scoop to form meatballs. For appetizer size meatballs, use two teaspoons.
  • If your slow cooker does not have a saute function, in a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the meatballs and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer the meatballs to the slow cooker.
  • Whisk together the ingredients for the sauce in a small mixing bowl, then pour over the meatballs.
  • Turn slow cooker on low for 3-4 hours. Serve meatballs warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 441kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 688mg | Potassium: 418mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 3mg

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About the Author

Andrea

Hi I'm Andrea!

Hotelier turned Food Blogger to help make your life simple, one recipe at a time.

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