Crock Pot Meatballs Recipe

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posted by Crissy Pageon Sep 8, 2016 (updated Jan 19, 2024) 61 comments »

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Crock Pot meatballs made with just grape jelly and BBQ sauce? Yes! This Crock Pot meatballs recipe is easy peasy and people ALWAYS love this recipe. Be a hero this holiday season and TRY THIS RECIPE!

This is my go-to recipe for meatballs. I love it because it’s so simple and takes just seconds to put in the crock pot, set and go. Let’s face it, when it comes to the holidays, game day or any special occasion, everyone loves a warm crock pot full of flavorful meatballs. I know my family can’t get enough of this super easy recipe and it’s why I keep making them over and over.

I went a little nuts when I photographed this recipe and probably included too many photos in this post. What can I say, I was hungry during the editing process!

I always make this dish for our Christmas Eve festivities, but these easy crock pot meatballs are also great as a simple weeknight dinner. We often serve them over rice with some vegetables on the side. They are so hearty and filling. Even the kids love them and that’s saying a lot.

Easy Crock Pot Meatballs Recipe

They’re also a great game day appetizer and I always make them along with my amazing sausage stuffed mini sweet peppers on Super Bowl Sunday!

Sure, you could make your own meatballs and put together a special sauce from scratch, but why? In all seriousness, there are times for complicated dishes and there are times when you just want to throw a few tried-and-true ingredients in your trusty crock pot and know that what comes out is going to be super delicious. This crockpot meatballs recipe is what you want in those moments!

Crock Pot Meatballs Recipe - Grape Jelly BBQ - 3 Ingredients! (3)

It’s funny, because the first time I tried this recipe I was pretty skeptical. I mean, frozen prepared meatballs, grape jelly and BBQ sauce? Really?

Yes, Oh, yes. It is so good!

Easy Meatballs in Crock Pot

If you end up giving my easy crock pot meatballs recipe a try this holiday season I’d love to hear what you and your family think about them. Please leave a comment below to share your feedback. Do you make your meatballs a different way? I’d love to hear your modification ideas in the comments as well!

If you’re looking for some more amazing party finger foods, check out one my favorite recipes, these bacon wrapped water chestnuts!

Ingredients

1 squeeze bottle (2 1/2 cups ) grape jelly (I used Welch's Concord Grape Jelly.)
1 18 oz. bottle barbecue sauce ( I used Sweet Baby Ray's)
1 package (2 lb.) frozen prepared meatballs

Instructions

Add grape jelly and barbecue sauce to a slow cooker, stir to blend well. Stir in meatballs to coat. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 3 1/2 hours, stirring halfway during the cook time.

Appetizers Crockpot

originally published on Sep 8, 2016 (last updated Jan 19, 2024)

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61 comments on “Crock Pot Meatballs (3-ingredients!)”

JET — December 29, 2021 @ 5:23 pm Reply
I would really like to find the recipe in this mess of pictures and comments.
Terry — December 24, 2021 @ 6:08 pm Reply
I have homemade meatballs in the crackpot as I write this. I’ve never made this recipe, although I have heard of it. Not trying to hate on it, it’s that when people taste mine, they want the recipe. I’ve had this recipe forever, my mom and my grandma, always made this, now I do. I don’t use barbecue sauce, I use chili sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, lemon juice and brown sugar. It’s more savory is what I’m told. I’ve never had a store bought meatball…lol too easy and quick to make my own. Merry Christmas!
- Terry — December 24, 2021 @ 6:10 pm Reply
  I should add mine are baked. I’m merely warming them up in the crackpot! Only takes 30 minutes in the oven 😊
  - Mary — December 28, 2021 @ 2:21 pm
    Really Terry?
Mari — June 30, 2020 @ 11:31 pm Reply
Anyone try this on the stove or oven? If so how long?
- christine — December 14, 2020 @ 5:15 pm Reply
  about an hour on 325…sear meatballs first on stovetop till browned…I think better than crockpot.and if you are “home”, why not?
- Julie W. — November 16, 2022 @ 9:50 am Reply
  I bake my meatballs in the oven first @350 for 30-35 minutes and then add to the warmed up sauce in the crockpot pot. I like the texture of the meatballs better that way and it’s faster.
Marti — December 11, 2019 @ 4:39 pm Reply
What size crockpot did you use?

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Frances — October 28, 2019 @ 9:51 am Reply
I use chili sauce in the bottles instead of the BBQ.
- Dannie — December 14, 2020 @ 10:20 am Reply
  So do I! They’re the best!
Tonya — October 26, 2019 @ 8:06 pm Reply
My family and coworkers love this recipe
Rating: 5
Linda Zrubek — August 22, 2019 @ 3:01 am Reply
Did you use precooked packaged meatballs? I need for a group of 60-70 people. What brand did you use??
- Crissy Page — August 22, 2019 @ 8:57 am Reply
  Yes, I buy frozen meatballs. I have used several brands, usually Great Valu from Walmart.
- Lori — December 20, 2019 @ 11:00 am Reply
  I used IKEAs frozen meatballs. They were great!
  Rating: 5
Rebekah — January 21, 2019 @ 10:53 pm Reply
This was a really easy appetizers that everyone enjoyed! So easy my husband who doesn’t really cook made it. ?
Rating: 5
Jennifer Norris — January 10, 2019 @ 11:23 pm Reply
My coworker made this for a potluck at work and I loved them! So happy to find the Recipe! Thank you for sharing . Cant wait to make for me and my family
Rating: 5
Terry — December 20, 2018 @ 10:42 pm Reply
I have made this recipe for years. My family and friends love it. It’s so simple and taste great. I do make my own meatballs though but I do that the night before. If you are pressed for time, buy the premade meatballs. I will always use this recipe because it is the best sauce be recipe I’ve eaten.
Rating: 5
- Lisa — November 22, 2019 @ 11:23 am Reply
  Terry,
  Do you have a recipe for your homemade meatballs that you use?
  Thanks,
  Lisa
Joanna Yarbrough — December 8, 2018 @ 9:12 am Reply
I made this for my nieces baby shower… MMM good
Rating: 5
Claudia — December 7, 2018 @ 6:36 pm Reply
Do you put the meatballs in frozen?
Cindy — April 28, 2018 @ 12:23 am Reply
We just made swedish meatballs, could we have made them in a crock pot?
Joe Spinney — March 18, 2018 @ 3:42 pm Reply
I tried your recipe for my meatballs! And I added mini hot dogs and kielbasa and it all just tastes fantastic!
Rating: 5
Katie Livingston — January 25, 2018 @ 11:19 am Reply
Do you thaw the meatballs or put them in frozen?
Pingback: NYE 2017
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Meranda — December 17, 2017 @ 12:47 pm Reply
Can I use strawberry jelly
- Rebbeca — September 22, 2018 @ 2:54 pm Reply
  I did and it tasted just the same. Wonderful and delicious either way.
Monica — November 12, 2017 @ 11:17 am Reply
I want to double the crockpot meatball recipe. How long should it cook? Thanks!
Caroline — September 6, 2017 @ 3:06 pm Reply
Does this recipe freeze well?
- Crissy Page — September 6, 2017 @ 9:15 pm Reply
  I haven’t tried it, but should be fine!
Alexis — February 23, 2017 @ 12:46 am Reply
I just made this for church on Sunday. I actually used this barbecue sauce and Kraft sweet honey barbecue and the jelly. The meatballs turned out very good. Their wasn’t any left to take home.
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Kasha — December 31, 2016 @ 10:55 am Reply
I’ve done this recipe a few times, but switched it up a bit. I used the grape jelly and horseradish mustard instead of the Bbq sauce, it’s not too sweet, and the mustard gives it that tang and a kick from the horseradish. It’s more sweet and spicy.
- Elaine Conness — December 23, 2018 @ 1:41 am Reply
  I use both BBQ Sauce and spicy mustard. You get the sweet and the pungent.
PK — December 30, 2016 @ 8:24 pm Reply
Is there any way you could fit more annoying ads on this page so it’s harder to read? Just checking. I think you might have some room.
- Linda Branum — December 11, 2020 @ 9:20 pm Reply
  Gotta be a hater trying to ruin a good thing.
  I use Welches Concord jelly one squeeze bottle and 2 tablespoons of plain yellow mustard. It’s also great with mini saug or Erick sausages.
Katherine Cicigoi — December 22, 2016 @ 10:51 pm Reply
I had forgotten this tried & true recipe. Thanks for bringing it out again. It’s always a winner, CHRISTMAS EVE or 4TH of JULY.
Can’t go wrong with this!!!
Katlyn — December 14, 2016 @ 12:30 pm Reply
I’ve seen a similar recipe for Lil smokies, do you think it would work to do both meatballs and little smokies in the same crockpot?
Donna Brown — November 20, 2016 @ 10:49 pm Reply
Can I cook in crock pot on low for 6-7 hours instead of high?
Lauren — November 17, 2016 @ 1:12 pm Reply
I plan on making these for our first annual Friendsgiving. We will be having a lot of people over so can I assume to double the grape jelly/BBQ sauce if I use two bags of meatballs?
Nikki — October 19, 2016 @ 9:35 am Reply
Do you think I could double this recipe in one crockpot? Would the cooktime be the same?
- Melissa — October 21, 2016 @ 11:13 pm Reply
  I’m wondering the same thing!
- PeeBee — December 29, 2021 @ 2:18 am Reply
  Add another 1/2 hr, test taste
  Repeat until done to Baby Bear standard (juuust right!)
Laurie — October 16, 2016 @ 11:50 pm Reply
I made this for a family reunion today and everyone loved them! Even the kids were raving about them! Thanks for sharing!
cathy davila — October 6, 2016 @ 7:40 pm Reply
If I wanted to do Teriyaki meatballs what would the recipe be to make the teriyaki sauce
Linda Michalak — October 1, 2016 @ 6:40 pm Reply
Wow i grew up with this recipe only mom use mini hot dogs. We hwd it every christmas!
Linda Michalak — October 1, 2016 @ 6:33 pm Reply
I grow uo with this recipe using mimi hot dogs! Every chtistmas
Emily star — September 26, 2016 @ 12:01 am Reply
You can never have too many pictures!! Love this recipe. So simple yet its a crowd favorite I hear. I don’t eat meat but the sauce smells good when its cooking in the crock pot for hours.
Mike Koehler — September 17, 2016 @ 9:29 pm Reply
I’ve made this recipe numerous times and everyone loves them! I’m making them tomorrow for the football games. My gf has been bugging me to make them again haha
Vera J May — August 5, 2016 @ 11:24 pm Reply
Crissy ! These are so good ! I have also made them. with gravy ! So good. Your photos look so tasty !
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Fayna — June 9, 2016 @ 9:23 pm Reply
If you think it is too sweet, try using Cattleman’s brand sauce in the Carolina Tangy Gold flavor. Adds just enough zing to the sauce. Every time I fix them this way I do not have any leftover.
Nikki — June 6, 2016 @ 10:09 am Reply
Love these meatballs! My aunt has been making them for years and years. Now I make them with my children and we all love them.
RMS — March 27, 2016 @ 11:13 am Reply
Turned out great, but too sweet for me, personally. Thank you for sharing!
- Fran M Siditsky — February 15, 2020 @ 2:48 pm Reply
  I’ve made them with a can of jelled cranberry sauce and a bottle of chili sauce. They were very good!
Lisa — February 25, 2016 @ 4:03 pm Reply
My sauce is too thin :( what did I do wrong? I followed your recipe.
- Emily star — September 26, 2016 @ 12:02 am Reply
  Are you using an old crock pot?
- Rebbeca — September 22, 2018 @ 2:56 pm Reply
  Mine was thin as well, may just be the BBQ sauce and jelly combo. Mine also finished sooner than expected so I just put it on keep warm until dinner.
Pam Barlow — February 9, 2016 @ 10:42 pm Reply
What brand do you suggest for meatballs?
- Vivian lind — February 15, 2016 @ 5:07 pm Reply
  Home style meatballs works best
Tiina Vajak — February 8, 2016 @ 5:46 pm Reply
Try it with whole berry cranberry sauce instead of the grape jelly. Fantastic
Lesley Farmer — February 6, 2016 @ 3:56 pm Reply
Yes way too many of the same photos lol but, their all great pictures. Excited to try this recipe.

FAQs

Why do you put grape jelly in meatballs? ›

To make these sweet and tangy meatballs, you'll need: Grape jelly: For a sweetness that balances the chili sauce, and to provide a glossy finish to the sauce. Chili sauce: Tomato paste, spices, and garlic give this sauce its depth. Barbecue sauce: Thickens the sauce while complementing the jelly and chili sauce.

Why are my grape jelly meatballs watery? ›

To thicken runny grape jelly meatball sauce, mix up a teaspoon of cornstarch (or even two depending on how thick you want things) with an equal amount of water. Stir this into the bubbling meatball mixture during the last hour they're in the slow cooker.

Discover More ›

How do you keep meatballs from falling apart in a crock pot? ›

Here's how to make the perfect meatballs that won't fall apart when you cook them:

Massage your meat. True story. ...
Add breadcrumbs. ...
Add egg. ...
Don't add much apart from meat. ...
Roll your meatballs in flour. ...
Give your meatballs space. ...
Shake your meatballs. ...
Brown your meatballs first.

Mar 3, 2022

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What can I substitute for grape jelly meatballs? ›

Replace the Grape Jelly with apricot preserves, orange marmalade, canned cranberry sauce, raspberry preserves, or hot pepper jelly.

Find Out More ›

Is it better to use milk or water in meatballs? ›

Milk, definitely. Water doesn't add flavor or fat, so it detracts from the finished meatballs. If I don't have milk, or I'm making them for people who don't eat milk with meat (a significant portion of my family keeps kosher) I use beef or chicken stock. It adds moisture and flavor, which is what you want.

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How do I get my grape jelly to set? ›

Let stand in the refrigerator until set. Store in the freezer. To remake cooked jam or jelly without added pectin, for each 1 L (4 cups) jam or jelly add 25 mL (2 tbsp) bottled lemon juice. Heat to boiling and boil jam or jelly hard 3 to 4 minutes, then test for signs of gelling.

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Why are they called baby shower meatballs? ›

Baby shower meatballs are just meatballs that people like to eat at baby showers. They're a yummy snack that's easy to eat with your fingers. They're not special meatballs, they just get called that because they're often served at baby showers.

Tell Me More ›

What makes meatballs mushy? ›

Cook's Illustrated explains that adding too many eggs will put your meatballs at risk of having a soggy texture. Any additional and unnecessary liquid will also cause difficulty mixing and forming meatballs. Adding a single egg should be enough to do the trick, with two being the maximum for each pound of meat you use.

What happens when grape jelly goes bad? ›

Regardless of the type of jam or jelly you have on hand, it's important to know the signs of spoilage. According to Lee, this may include yeasty off-odors, fermented alcohol-like flavors, and mold growth, which may appear as white fuzzy patches inside the jar or on the product itself.

Know More ›

What not to do when making meatballs? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Meatballs

Not seasoning the meat.
Not adding any moisture to the meat.
Over-mixing the meat.
Not shaping the meatballs correctly.
Not forming evenly-sized meatballs.

May 1, 2019

Get More Info Here ›

What is the secret to making tender meatballs? ›

Egg and breadcrumbs are common mix-ins to add moisture and tenderness. Another binder option that people swear by is a panade, which is fresh or dry breadcrumbs that have been soaked in milk. “The soaked breadcrumbs help keep the proteins in the meat from shrinking,” as food writer Tara Holland explained in the Kitchn.

Get More Info Here ›

Can you cook meatballs too long in a crockpot? ›

Because of the sauce, you're not likely to overcook these ground beef meatballs following the cook time listed. However, it is possible if the meatballs are left in the slow cooker too long. I do recommend using a programmable slow cooker that will switch to low after the cook time elapses to help avoid overcooking.

Can you use frozen grapes to make grape jelly? ›

Grapes are best frozen in syrup, but grapes to be used for juice or jelly can be frozen without sweetening. To freeze grapes: Choose tender skin, firm, sweet grapes with full color and flavor. Sort, remove stems and wash. Leave seedless grapes whole; cut table grapes with seeds in half and remove seeds.

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Is grape jam and grape jelly the same thing? ›

Jams and jellies are both soft, sweet spreads made from fruit, sugar and pectin. The main difference between jam and jelly is that jam is made with fruit whereas jelly is made with fruit juice.

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What's the difference between grape jelly and Concord grape jelly? ›

Welch's Natural Concord Grape Spread

And unlike most grape jelly, it isn't made with high fructose corn syrup. It's just concord grapes, sugar, lemon juice concentrate, and fruit pectin. Don't be turned off by the fact that it's a “spread” rather than a jelly—it's the consistency of jelly, I promise.

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What does grape jelly do for you? ›

Yes, grape jelly can be healthy because of its pectin and antioxidants, which promote better digestion. Even versions containing less sugar, like our sugar free grape jelly, still make it the ultimate energy booster.

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What makes meatballs stick together better? ›

Most meatball recipes call for a bit of starchy filler, such as dry breadcrumbs, oatmeal, or soaked bread, which is meant to keep the meatballs tender, hold everything together, and help add bulk.

Read On ›

When were grape jelly meatballs invented? ›

In fact, the grape jelly meatball has been a beloved appetizer since at least the 1960s—and it isn't going anywhere. The dish is humble: Toss beef meatballs in a sauce of grape jelly and barbecue or a tomato-based chili sauce—always one prepared sauce, and always grape jelly. Stir in lemon juice, sometimes.

Learn More Now ›

What helps hold meatballs together? ›

A binder is like the glue that helps hold meatballs together and keep their shape. Breadcrumbs and eggs are the most common binder to use for meatballs. Bread soaked in milk (called a panade) is another traditional type of binder. Without a binder, the meat is likely to fall apart like you're finding.

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Crock Pot Meatballs Recipe - Grape Jelly BBQ - 3 Ingredients! (2024)