This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Grape Jelly Meatballs combine savory BBQ sauce and sweet grape jelly for a delicious sauce that makes these meatballs positively mouthwatering! This 3 ingredient appetizer is perfect for game day parties and holiday get-togethers.
Serve these meatballs with other appetizer faves like Pigs in a Blanket and Crispy Baked Chicken Wings.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Easy To Make – 3 easy ingredients combine for the perfect bite-size appetizer. Just stir everything together and heat them up!
- Sweet and Savory – Sweet grape jelly mixes with savory barbecue sauce for the most delightful flavor combination. If you like, add a spicy element in there with spicy BBQ sauce and red pepper flakes.
- Slow Cooker or Stove Top – You can make these on the stovetop or slow cooker to keep things easy. It’s the perfect appetizer for parties!
RECIPE WALK-THROUGH
Ingredients
- Meatballs – You could definitely make homemade meatballs. You could even make Baked Chicken Meatballs or Turkey Meatballs. However, I usually just use frozen meatballs to keep things easy!
- Grape Jelly – Any brand is fine.
- BBQ Sauce – You can definitely use your own favorite here, but I love Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce. This particular version I linked to has no sugar added, and since the jelly is so sweet, it’s a great option. Use a spicy BBQ sauce if you want a little extra kick.
- Red Pepper Flakes – I love this dish with a spicy flair, so I add red pepper flakes. This is totally optional – feel free to adjust the amount of heat or omit it completely. You could also use a little cayenne pepper or hot sauce in place of the flakes.
- Cornstarch – The sauce is thick, but not as thick as I’d like it to be, so I add a little bit of a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch and water) to thicken it. This is optional.
How To Make Grape Jelly Meatballs
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
You can easily cook them on the stovetop in about 20 minutes, or you can toss it all in your slow cooker and let it do the work.
Stovetop Method – To make them on the stovetop, combine the barbecue sauce and grape jelly in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. You can toss in some red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce for even more heat, but that’s totally optional. Once the sauce is simmering, add the thawed meatballs and toss them around in the sauce to coat completely. Cover it and let it simmer for several minutes until the meatballs are heated through.
Slow Cooker Method – To make them in your crockpot, add the meatballs then mix the sauce up in another bowl and pour over the meatballs. Cover and set to low. Cook for 3-4 hours and give them a stir before serving. Add a cornstarch slurry during the last 15 minutes if needed.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Grape Jelly Meatballs with other appetizers like my Epic Antipasto Platter, Hot Shrimp Dip, and Pineapple Cheese Ball.
Or make them for dinner, with steamed white or brown rice and a side salad, like my Steakhouse Chopped Salad. I sprinkle parsley on top of the meatballs or sometimes sliced green onions just for a little added color.
Storage Tips
The Best Way to Store Leftovers
Refrigerator – Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. Reheat on low in a saucepan on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Freezer – Let the meatballs cool completely, then transfer to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a saucepan on the stovetop.
Recipe Tips
- Grape Jelly Substitutions – Strawberry jam, currant jelly, apple jelly, apricot spread, orange marmalade, or another fruit spread without seeds would work. Hot pepper jelly would be a delicious spicy option. Or, for a more festive version, use cranberry sauce, like my Cranberry Meatballs, which are perfect for holiday parties.
- Frozen Meatballs –While you can make your own meatballs, I recommend saving yourself some time and using frozen meatballs. They make this recipe so much easier. Be sure to thaw frozen cooked meatballs overnight first.
- Homemade Meatballs – If you do make this recipe with my homemade meatballs, I recommend omitting the Parmesan cheese.
- Double The Recipe – You can easily double or even triple the recipe as long as everything fits in your pot.
More Meatball Recipes
- Buffalo Ranch Meatballs
- Spicy Honey Garlic Meatballs
- Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs
- Swedish Meatballs
- Turkey Meatball Subs
Spicy Barbecue Grape Jelly Meatballs
Ingredients
- 36 meatballs fresh or frozen (thawed)
- 1 ½ cups grape jelly
- 3 cups Spicy Barbecue Sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch whisked with 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
Stovetop
- In a large deep skillet or saute pan over medium heat, combine grape jelly, spicy barbecue sauce and red chili flakes. Cook, stirring often, until bubbly.
- Stir in thawed or fresh cooked meatballs and coat completely with the sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for about 15 minutes, or until meatballs are heated through. Stir a couple of times to avoid scorching the bottom.
- If sauce needs thickening, stir in the cornstarch mixture (slurry) and stir to completely incorporate and until sauce is thickened. Let simmer for a couple of minutes, and add another portion of the slurry if desired.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.
Slow Cooker
- Combine grape jelly, barbecue sauce and red pepper flakes in the pot of your slow cooker. Add thawed or fresh cooked meatballs and stir to coat.
- Cover and cook for 3-4 hours on low. Stir before serving. If thickening is needed, add the cornstarch mixture and stir to combine. Continue to cook on low for 15-30 minutes, or until sauce is thickened.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
Thank you for this simple recipe. I will ad this to my personal quick cookbook.
Dan(R)
Nice! You are so welcome Dan! Thanks for stopping by.
Are the meatballs seasoned or just ground beef ? Thanks
I just use regular (plain) meatballs. Using the italian ones wouldn’t ruin the dish though.
Very good.