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Spoon lifting grape jelly meatballs from white bowl with sauce dripping back into dish

Grape Jelly Meatballs

Juicy grape jelly meatballs made in the slow cooker with Heinz chili sauce. A simple recipe perfect for parties, holidays, and easy appetizers.
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Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Crockpot Meatballs, Easy Appetizer Recipe, Party Meatballs, Simple Recipe Appetizer, Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
Prep Time: 4 minutes
4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 4 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 428kcal
Author: Jennifer Locklin

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Ingredients

  • 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen fully cooked meatballs
  • 1 (12-ounce) bottle chili sauce
  • 1 (20-ounce) jar grape jelly

Instructions

Prep

  • Measure the chili sauce and grape jelly.
    1 (12-ounce) bottle chili sauce, 1 (20-ounce) jar grape jelly
  • Keep the meatballs frozen until ready to cook.

Cook

    Stovetop Method

    • Place the frozen meatballs in a large saucepan or deep skillet.
      1 (32-ounce) bag frozen fully cooked meatballs
    • Add the chili sauce and grape jelly.
    • Set the pan over medium heat and cover.
    • Cook, stirring occasionally, until the jelly has melted and the sauce is smooth.
    • Continue heating until the meatballs are fully hot and coated, about 10 minutes total.

    Slow Cooker Method

    • Add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker.
    • Pour in the chili sauce and grape jelly.
    • Cover and cook on High for 2 to 3 hours or on Low for 4 to 6 hours.
    • Stir once or twice during cooking if convenient, until the sauce is combined and the meatballs are heated through.

    Assemble

    • Stir the meatballs well so the sauce evenly coats each one.
    • Serve hot straight from the cooker with toothpicks for appetizers, or spoon into a serving bowl.

    Notes

    Substitutions
    • Use homemade cooked meatballs in place of frozen; keep quantity at about 2 pounds.
    • Swap grape jelly with apricot preserves or cranberry sauce for a different flavor profile.
    • Use a spicier chili sauce or add a dash of hot sauce for heat.
    Serving Suggestions and Pairings
    • Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks for easy sharing.
    • Spoon over white rice, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles for a main dish.
    • Pair with sides like baked beans, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, or a simple green salad.
    Storage
    • Cool completely before storing.
    • Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
    • Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
    Freezing
    • Transfer cooled meatballs and sauce to a freezer-safe container.
    • Freeze for up to 2 months.
    ••Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, or warm gently from frozen on the stovetop over low heat.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 525mg | Potassium: 430mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

    *Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.