This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
With only 3 ingredients, these sweet and tangy grape jelly meatballs make a quick and easy party appetizer. All you need is your slow cooker!
Meatballs + Grape Jelly + Chili Sauce = Best Appetizer Ever
I know what you’re thinking, meatballs in grape jelly and chili sauce? No way!
Well, I’d like you to reconsider these grape jelly meatballs because they are one of the number one party appetizers out there. These sweet and tangy grape jelly meatballs are like crack. They fly out of the slow cooker. Everyone’s plate is always full of these and I don’t blame them. They’re sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy — basically downright addicting. I could’ve sworn, at the rate the meatballs were being consumed at my last party, there could’ve been a rock-paper-scissor championship for the last couple grape jelly meatballs.
One of the BEST parts of this appetizer is: it’s THREE ingredients, you don’t do anything except throw everything in the slow cooker, stir every few hours, and serve. So easy. Who needs a complicated dish when they’re hosting? I guarantee you that if you make these for your next party, everyone will go crazy over them. No exaggeration. These are 100% guaranteed to be a hit.
Other Cooking Methods
- Grape jelly meatballs on the stove: add all the ingredients into a large dutch oven or pot and stir to combine. Cover and allow to cook on medium-low heat for 30-45 minutes, or until the meatballs are no longer frozen in the center and warmed through. Stir often to prevent burning. Adjust timing based on the size of your meatballs.
- Grape jelly meatballs in the oven: add all the ingredients into a large dutch oven or oven-safe pot and stir to combine. Place covered pot in a 325 degree oven for 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are no longer frozen in the center and warmed through. Adjust timing based on the size of your meatballs.
Serving Suggestions
When we were growing up, for a quick dinner option, my mom would make these meatballs and we’d eat them over white rice.
As an appetizer, serve these with toothpicks, cocktail napkins, and plates.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Allow leftover meatballs to cool before putting them into an airtight container and storing them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, portion out how much you would like and reheat in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop until warmed through.
Sweet and Tangy Grape Jelly Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounce (453 g) jar of grape jelly
- 12 ounce (340 g) jar of chili sauce, (I used a Wegman's brand but Heinz sells them too; it's usually located near the ketchup and hot sauce)
- 64 ounces (1814 g) frozen meatballs
Instructions
- In a bowl or small sauce pot, mix together grape jelly and chili sauce as best you can. It's okay if it's a little lumpy from the grape jelly. It'll all melt together in the slow cooker once it's warmed up.16 ounce (453 g) jar of grape jelly, 12 ounce (340 g) jar of chili sauce
- Add the entire bag of meatballs in the slow cooker insert and pour the jelly and chili sauce on top.64 ounces (1814 g) frozen meatballs
- Stir the meatballs around until they're all coated.
- Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. Stir every couple hours or so to re-coat the meatballs in the sauce.
- Serve hot with toothpicks!
Notes
Nutrition
Photographs by Jess Gaertner Creative
Thank you for your rules on feedback etiquette. Do these go for the author too? I would like to tell you how surprised I was to find a certain term used in the recipe I was researching – Sweet and Tangy Meatballs. Let’s be aware that some readers find that kind of language offensive. Thank you.
I’m sorry that the name of a recipe offends you. Maybe these cookies will lift your holiday spirit? Although, the language might be too much for you to handle. I hope you have a happy holiday season. xo
Not sure how old this post/comments are, as they’re not dated…. but to clarify, I’m pretty sure she was referring to the use of “ape-sh!t”, not the actual title of the post. She was just saying this was the post that the offensive language was in. (Though not necessary to do, since she’s already commenting on said post!) Anyway. People seemed confused, so there you go. :-) Merry Christmas!
What is offensive about the name sweet and tangy meatballs? I can’t think of anything.
I’m just curious as to why the title sweet and tangy woul offend someone?
I don’t understand either! I’m still trying to read it over and over and I can’t ‘t find anything wrong with the name. But I made these delicious meatballs! Everyone loved them!!
Ive made these meatballs with a few small differences. 1st Instead of the grape jelly, I use jellied cranberry sauce , just 1 can, i use franks sweet chili sauce, and a tablespoon of brown sugar! They are incredible and will have people inviting you to their parties, just so you can bring them!
Why would you put the meatballs so long in a Crock-Pot when they’re already pre-cooked I know you are warming them up but you could do those in the oven I make some really good jalapeno meatballs in the oven
Well, some people like to do it this way and you can continue to do it your way! As long as there is delicious food at the end of it, we all are happy :)
This is my mom’s recipe, LOL — goes back a LONG ways, I think she made them in the 50s — there is ONE flaw here. It is CURRANT JELLY — not grape — grape is much too sweet and if you taste it with currant jelly, you will see. Less sweet, more tart — a richer flavor. (Sadly, Smuckers has discontinued currant jelly from its product line….you’ll have to get Cross and Blackwell or another brand!) Seriously, we’ve been making this in my family for 60+ years and no matter where we take them, they get RAVES and men are crazy about them!
We don’t have chili sauce here, have you tried any other kind of sauce? Would salsa work?
I haven’t tried any other kind of sauce, unfortunately. And salsa wouldn’t work in this recipe, sorry!
I always make this with Sweet Baby Rays bbq and its delicious! I’m going to try it with chili sauce though!
You show them with a miniature appetizer fork for serving. I’m assuming they are still good if room temperature?
Yup, they’re delicious! :)
i made these for party i was hosting but i used sweet ans sour some sweet some sour they left t eh crock pot like it was nothing
I don’t have a slow cooker….can I just cook on low heat on the stove top for an hour?
Yup, you can!
Hello. To keep the holiday theme could you use a cranberry preserve, jam, or jelly for the meatballs?
You could but I’m not sure how it would turn out due to the tartness of the cranberry…if it’s too tart, you may want to add a bit of sugar.
The cranberry sauce option is delicious. It’s not as sweet as the grape jelly, but it’s not tart either. I think it’s perfect!
Hi Julie! Just wondering if you’ve tried this recipe again recently, and if so what brand of frozen meatballs did you use? I haven’t had any luck finding a good frozen meatball. Thanks!
I just buy Wegmans frozen meatballs brand :)
Make homemade meatballs with hamburger, Lipton onion soup and an egg!! Bake in oven.