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Organized Island » Recipes » Hot Appetizers

BBQ Sauce and Grape Jelly Meatballs

Published: Apr 26, 2023 · Modified: May 20, 2023 by Raquel · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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BBQ Sauce & Grape Jelly Meatballs on rice.

BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs are a delicious and favorite party food that is sure to be a hit with everyone! These little bites of deliciousness are made by combining grape jelly and barbecue sauce to make a sweet and tangy sauce for the meatballs..

Your favorite bbq sauce is sweetened up with grape jelly to braise store-bought meatballs in a slow cooker until everything is hot and delicious. While there is nothing complicated to this dish, everyone will ask you for the recipe. It's a great recipe for your next party or gathering.

This is a twist on my Crockpot Chili Sauce Grape Jelly Meatballs. It is one of my favorite easy appetizer recipes.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

So easy. This classic recipe for bbq grape jelly meatballs could not be any easier. You literally just dump everything in a crock pot slow cooker, stir it up, turn it on, and walk away. Just three ingredients, and no measuring required and it only takes a few minutes of prep time.

Really tasty. Sometimes easy is not very tasty, but these savory meatballs are the perfect appetizer that everyone will love. These grape jelly bbq meatballs can be served as an appetizer or served over rice for your meal. Add a green salad and dinner is on the table!

Perfect party appetizer. Serve meatballs with toothpicks at a party, serve mini meatball sliders. These crockpot bbq grape jelly meatballs are great for game day. tailgating and holiday parties too!

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Equipment Needed
  • Ingredients for BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs
  • How to Make BBQ Jelly Meatballs
  • Variations and Substitutions
  • Tips for Best Results
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Classic Party Appetizer Recipes
  • More Easy Meatball Recipes
  • Grape Jelly Barbecue Meatballs

Equipment Needed

  • Slow Cooker. I recommend getting a simple knob style crock pot. The ones with fancy screens tend to break more often. A six or seven quart slow cooker is great for parties and will hold a lot of meatballs.
  • Mixing Spoon or Whisk. Any thing you have for mixing will work. You will mix everything directly in the slow cooker so you won't even need a mixing bowl.

Ingredients for BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs

This Easy Grape Jelly Meatball recipe
  • Barbecue Sauce. It doesn't matter which sauce you use. Customize the meatballs by choosing different sauces. You can vary the spice level and flavor considerably and still have an amazing result.
  • Grape Jelly. It really doesn't matter what brand of jelly you buy either.
  • Frozen Meatballs. Get plain pre-made meatballs. Italian meatballs will have an off-putting spice that doesn't blend well with the sauce ingredients.

How to Make BBQ Jelly Meatballs

You can. use the slow cooker method or stovetop method.

Crockpot Meatballs

frozen meatballs in crockpot.

In the slow cooker, stir the bottles of grape jelly and barbecue sauce until combined. A whisk will work really well for this job, but any mixing spoon is good.

Stir in the meatballs until all meatballs are covered in the sauces.You do not need to thaw the meatballs, they will cook from frozen.

Set the slow cooker on high. Cook the bbq grape jelly meatballs for 2-3 hours. Everything should be very hot when the dish is ready.

Stovetop Meatballs

You can also make grape jelly meatballs on the stove. Place ingredients in a large saucepan and heat over medium heat until meatballs are cooked through.

Variations and Substitutions

Use raspberry jelly, blackberry jelly, or fig jam. Any sweet jelly will work in place of sweet grape jelly in a pinch.

Pick your favorite bbq sauce or go out on a limb and try something new. You really cannot go wrong.

You can use turkey meatballs or chicken meatballs.

If you don't have a slow cooker, you can use a pressure cooker like an Instant Pot and set it to fifteen minutes on high or use the slow cooker setting.

Tips for Best Results

If your sauce doesn't quite cover the meatballs, add a little bit of water at a time and stir it up until the meatballs are mostly covered with sauce. It will all cook down over time.

Keep your slow cooker plugged in and hot at the party or event and your meatballs won't spoil. These will disappear so fast!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use homemade meatballs?

Absolutely!!. You can use homemade meatballs.

Can I use any type of frozen meatballs to make BBQ sauce and grape jelly meatballs?

While you can use beef, turkey or chicken meatballs, make sure to use the plain variety, This recipe does not work well with Italian Style Meatballs as they flavor profile will clash, A plain style of meatball will ensure a balanced flavor profile.

How do I store leftover BBQ and Grape Jelly Meatballs

Store them in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container or ziploc bag. If storing in the refrigerator, make sure to use them within 2-3 days. If storing in the freezer, they can last up to 3 months.

More Classic Party Appetizer Recipes

  • Sticky Meatballs with sauce in bowl.
    Sticky Meatballs
  • Flower shaped Egg Salad Tea Sandwiches on plate.
    Egg Salad Tea Sandwiches
  • Mini Caprese Skewers on plate.
    Mini Caprese Skewers
  • Neiman Marcus Dip with Ritz crackers.
    Neiman Marcus Dip

More Easy Meatball Recipes

  • Grape Jelly Meatball Recipe
    Grape Jelly Meatball Recipe
  • oven baked meatballs
    Easy Baked Meatballs
  • Chicken Buffalo Meatball on plate
    Chicken Buffalo Meatballs
  • Crockpot Cranberry Sauce Meatballs (3)
    Cranberry Sauce Meatballs

Hot Sauce and Jelly meatballs

Sticky Meatballs

BBQ Sauce and Grape Jelly Meatballs over rRice.

Grape Jelly Barbecue Meatballs

Raquel Pineira
Juicy BBQ and Jelly Meatballs make a delicious dish that's great as a classic appetizer and made with a tangy BBQ sauce and sweet glaze.
5 from 17 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 20
Calories 0.2 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 18 oz barbeque sauce
  • 1 18 oz grape jelly
  • 1 32 oz bag frozen homestyle meatballs

Instructions
 

  • In the slow cooker, stir the bottles of grape jelly and barbeque sauce until combined
  • Stir in the meatballs until all meatballs are covered in the sauces
  • Set on high and cool for 2-3 hours

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
If your sauce doesn't quite cover the meatballs, add a little bit of water at a time and stir it up until the meatballs are mostly covered with sauce. It will all cook down over time.
Keep your slow cooker plugged in and hot at the party or event and your meatballs won't spoil. These will disappear so fast!
 

Nutrition

Calories: 0.2kcalCarbohydrates: 0.1gProtein: 0.001gFat: 0.001gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 0.2mgFiber: 0.001gSugar: 0.04gVitamin A: 0.1IUVitamin C: 0.005mgCalcium: 0.03mgIron: 0.001mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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About Raquel

Southern California mom who blogs about time-saving recipes, entertaining and party ideas.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tamara

    April 30, 2023 at 1:01 pm

    One of my favorite recipes EVER! We used to make them around Christmas time but now do it all year round!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Raquel! I am a self-proclaimed foodie and have enjoyed cooking and baking since I was little. I loved baking cookies with my mother and grandma as a child, and later making dinners for my parents to foster my passion while in high school. I also had a passion for organizing and keeping things tidy.

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