Crock Pot BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs

These Slow Cooker BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs are the original party favorite! Made with just a few pantry staples, this hugely popular recipe has been around for decades and continues to be a mainstay for easy dinners and quick party appetizers.

If you’re a meatball fan, be sure to also try our Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs, Spicy Meatballs, and French Onion Meatballs.

Crock Pot BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs

At first glance, these 3 ingredient meatballs with grape jelly and BBQ sauce might raise some eyebrows. They don’t exactly sound…well, delicious, do they?

While no one knows who the genius/maniac was who first decided to throw these ingredients together, it’s hard to argue with the results. Versions of these meatballs first appeared in cookbooks in the 1960s, and they’re still wildly popular today.

Sweet, tangy, and ridiculously easy to make, Grape Jelly Meatballs are a fixture in many homes for everything from holiday parties to baby showers.

Here’s Why You’ll Love Them Too

• Dump and Go- This is the definition of a dump and go or “set it and forget it” recipe. Simply add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and push start.
• Easy to make ahead of time- Speaking of the slow cooker, it makes this the perfect recipe for parties. Start the crock pot a few hours before party time, then keep it on the warm setting to enjoy hot, tasty meatballs all night.
• Just 3 (or 5) ingredients- The basic recipe includes meatballs, BBQ sauce, and grape jelly. We like to add a squeeze of lemon juice and sriracha, but if you want to keep things simple, you can stick to just three ingredients!

Key Ingredients

• Meatballs- We prefer to use a homestyle meatball, but Italian meatballs can also work. If you need a gluten free version, try our homemade gluten free meatballs.
• Grape Jelly- Use whatever brand you like. Smuckers, Welch’s, even a store brand should work.
• BBQ Sauce- We are partial to Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce. You can play around with the flavors by switching the BBQ sauce, but we do recommend sticking with a more traditional sauce, not a white or vinegar based sauce.
• Lemon juice- Many modern recipes don’t include lemon juice, but according to Food52 this was the third ingredient in the recipe printed in 1967’s Elegant but Easy Cookbook. I find the lemon juice balances the sweetness of the sauce and adds some welcome brightness.
• Sriracha- This was obviously not found in the vintage recipes of the 60s and 70s, but it’s certainly a nice addition for today! If you like a little heat, add some Sriracha to taste!

How to Make Meatballs with Grape Jelly and BBQ Sauce

Storage Instructions

Meatballs can be kept on the warm setting for several hours. Note that the sauce will thicken up the longer it remains in the slow cooker.

Leftovers grape jelly meatballs should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for about a week.

Reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stove top until heated through. 

Variations

• Substitute the grape jelly for apricot preserves, orange marmalade, or canned cranberry sauce.
• Substitute the BBQ sauce for chili sauce. Chili sauce is a ketchup-adjacent condiment with just a bit of a kick. Find it in the condiments aisle near the ketchup. It is not the same thing as chili garlic sauce, which is also delicious, but would result in a very different and VERY spicy dish.
• Try these Crock Pot BBQ Meatballs for a fully homemade version of this classic dish.

More Party Appetizers Great for Entertaining

Round out your party menu with these other favorites!

• Sloppy Joe Sliders
• Lasagna Dip with Ground Beef
• Spinach Dip in a Bread Bowl
• Cold Veggie Pizza
• Ground Beef Queso Dip
• Cucumber Bites

📖 Recipe