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Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

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These incredibly easy Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs combine frozen meatballs with a sweet and tangy two-ingredient sauce for the ultimate party appetizer or weeknight dinner. Just three ingredients and your slow cooker create irresistibly glazed meatballs that disappear fast!

  • Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10 servings (approximately 50-60 meatballs) 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds frozen meatballs (cocktail-size or regular, about 50-60 pieces)
  • 18 ounces grape jelly (one standard jar)
  • 12 ounces chili sauce (one standard bottle)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sauce – In a medium mixing bowl or large measuring cup, combine the grape jelly and chili sauce. Whisk together until well blended and smooth. The jelly may seem thick at first but will incorporate with some stirring.
  2. Add Meatballs to Slow Cooker – Place the frozen meatballs directly into your slow cooker. There’s no need to thaw them first—in fact, using them frozen ensures even cooking and prevents them from becoming mushy.
  3. Pour Sauce Over Meatballs – Pour the jelly and chili sauce mixture over the frozen meatballs in the slow cooker. Use a spoon to gently stir and ensure all meatballs are coated with sauce.
  4. Cook Low and Slow – Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours. The meatballs are done when they’re heated through completely and the sauce has thickened into a beautiful glaze.
  5. Stir Occasionally – If possible, give the meatballs a gentle stir once or twice during cooking to ensure even coating. This isn’t mandatory but helps distribute the sauce beautifully.
  6. Switch to Warm Setting – Once cooking is complete, switch your slow cooker to the WARM setting to keep the meatballs at the perfect serving temperature throughout your party or dinner.
  7. Serve and Enjoy – Transfer meatballs to a serving dish or serve directly from the slow cooker. Provide toothpicks for easy appetizer serving, or spoon over rice, noodles, or into sub rolls for a heartier meal.

Notes

  • Meatball Variety: Use any flavor you prefer—beef, turkey, chicken, or plant-based all work wonderfully
  • Sauce Thickness: If sauce seems too thin after cooking, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes on HIGH to allow excess liquid to evaporate
  • Making Ahead: You can mix the sauce and refrigerate it a day ahead, then simply add to the slow cooker with frozen meatballs when ready
  • Scaling Up: This recipe doubles beautifully for larger crowds—use a 6-quart or larger slow cooker
  • Browning Option: For extra caramelization, transfer finished meatballs to a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes before serving

  • Author: Samantha Nelson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours (low) or 2 hours (high)
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5-6 meatballs (approximately 1 cup)
  • Calories: 285
  • Sugar: 28g
  • Sodium: 780mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 14g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

Find it online: https://charmingsnacks.com/sweet-savory-slow-cooker-grape-jelly-meatballs-just-3-ingredients/