These grape jelly meatballs are homemade meatballs tossed in a two ingredient sauce and slow cooked to perfection in the crock pot. A quick and easy appetizer or dinner option that always gets rave reviews!
When it’s time for a party, you simply can’t have too many appetizers. Some of my favorite party snacks include garlic parmesan wings, savory bacon wrapped water chestnuts, fresh and colorful black bean and corn salsa and these classic grape jelly meatballs.
Grape jelly meatballs are a ubiquitous appetizer that can be found at parties, potlucks and many other gatherings. The great thing about this recipe is that it takes just minutes to put together, and can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
If you want an appetizer spread for your holiday party, try serving these meatballs with some of my favorite Christmas appetizer recipes like sausage cheese balls, bacon wrapped scallops and bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers.
Table of Contents
Grape Jelly Meatball Ingredients
To make this grape jelly meatball recipe you will need ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, onions, garlic, salt and black pepper. For the sauce, make sure to have chili sauce and grape jelly. Freshly chopped parsley adds color and visual interest to the finished dish.
How Do You Make Grape Jelly Meatballs?
Start these grape jelly meatballs by mixing together ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Once combined, roll the meat mixture into 1 inch balls. Place the balls on a sheet pan or baking sheet and broil them until golden brown. Place the meatballs into a slow cooker. In a medium bowl, melt the grape jelly, then add a bottle of chili sauce. Whisk the two ingredients together to make the sauce. Pour the sauce over the beef meatballs, then cook with the lid on. Right before you’re ready to eat, uncover the slow cooker, add a sprinkle of parsley, then serve and enjoy.
Tips For The Perfect Grape Jelly Meatballs
- Use a tablespoon measuring spoon or a small cookie scoop to make similar sized meatballs.
- I prefer to use homemade meatballs because I think they have better flavor and texture than frozen meatballs. If you’re in a pinch, you can use 2 pounds of frozen meatballs. You don’t need to thaw the meatballs, simply add them to the crockpot from frozen.
- It’s ok if there are a few lumps in the sauce, as the jelly will continue to melt in the slow cooker.
- The chili sauce in this recipe is a tomato based sauce similar to ketchup, but with a slightly different flavor profile. Chili sauce tends to be thicker, and despite the name, it is not spicy at all. I use Heinz chili sauce which you can find in the grocery store near the ketchup and other condiments.
- Serve your meatballs with toothpicks as an appetizer, or offer them over sour cream mashed potatoes or rice as a main course.
Quick Tip
I typically use 90% lean ground beef.
Recipe FAQs
It is thought that the original recipe for grape jelly meatballs originated in the 1960’s from a cookbook. This particular recipe is known under many names, including cocktail meatballs, sweet and sour meatballs and chafing dish meatballs.
If you don’t have grape jelly on hand, you can use a different type of jelly such as apple jelly. I also like using apricot preserves. You may want to puree the preserves before using to keep the sauce smooth. Another great option is a can of jellied cranberry sauce.
Leftover meatballs will stay fresh in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days, and in the freezer for 2 months.
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Flavor Variations
These grape jelly meatballs are great as written, but you can substitute other ingredients you have on hand if needed.
- Meat: You could use ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork or a combination of those meats.
- Sauce: No chili sauce on hand? It’s fine to use ketchup instead. You can always add a little garlic powder and pepper for flavor. You can also use BBQ sauce.
- Apple: You can use apple jelly in place of the grape jelly.
- Cranberry: For cranberry flavor, try my cranberry meatballs made in a slow cooker or use jellied cranberry sauce.
- Apricot: Instead of grape jelly, you can substitute apricot preserves. If there are chunks in your preserves, puree the preserves before adding them to the crockpot.
- Orange: Try orange marmalade instead of grape jelly.
I make these grape jelly meatballs for all my gatherings. They are a perfect party appetizer because they are sweet, savory and packed with flavor. They are so popular that I never have any leftovers!
More Great Appetizers To Try
Sausage Balls Recipe
40 mins
The Best Cheese Board Recipe
21 mins
Artichoke Dip Recipe
30 mins
Caponata Recipe
1 hr
Salsa Verde Recipe
25 mins
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Grape Jelly Meatballs
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons onion finely minced or grated
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- cooking spray
For the sauce
- 12 ounce bottle chili sauce such as Heinz brand
- 1 1/2 cups grape jelly
Instructions
- Preheat the oven broiler. Line a sheet pan with foil and coat the foil with cooking spray.
- Place the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Stir until thoroughly combined.
- Shape the meat mixture into 1 inch meatballs and place the meatballs in a single layer on the sheet pan.
- Broil for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the sauce.
- Melt the grape jelly. You can do this by microwaving it in 30 second increments or melting it in a saucepan over medium heat.
- After the jelly has melted, whisk in the chili sauce.
- Coat a 4 quart or larger slow cooker with cooking spray. Add the meatballs, then pour the sauce over the top. Toss gently to combine.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook for 3 hours on low. Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.
Notes
- I typically use 90% lean ground beef.
- Use a tablespoon measuring spoon or a small cookie scoop to make similar sized meatballs.
- I prefer to use homemade meatballs; however, you can use 2 pounds of frozen meatballs. You don’t need to thaw the meatballs, simply add them to the crockpot from frozen.
How long do o cook on conventional stove. Thanks. I can’t find your answer ans forgot to write it down. Sorry
You can simmer it in low for 30 minutes!