This easy crockpot recipe has so much to offer! BBQ grape jelly meatballs are sweet and saucy — serve on the side, as an appetizer, or make it your main course!
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I absolutely loved these meatballs as a child. It took me years to realize it was so easy and needed only three ingredients. Frozen meatballs, BBQ sauce, and grape jelly. That’s it!
The barbecue sauce is a good mix of slightly spicy and sour, depending on the brand. And you can use any brand you want to!
Meanwhile, the grape jelly is thick, sweet, and sticky. Stirred together and slowly thickened in the crockpot, those flavors meld together for a sauce that smells absolutely incredible — and tastes even better!
My BBQ and jelly meatballs take just over 3 hours to prepare and feed up to 12 people. Load them in the crock pot, forget about them, give them a quick stir, and you’ll have a feast for all of your friends and family!
Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:
- A crock pot recipe for tasty, tangy, and sweet BBQ grape jelly meatballs!
- How to make meatballs with grape jelly and BBQ sauce on the stove if you’re in a time crunch.
- Some extra tips and tricks to make tips to make this recipe perfect for you!
Savory, sugary, sticky, and satisfying. These BBQ grape jelly meatballs are way too good to be just an appetizer! Serve on game day or any weekday — either way, they’ll be gone in no time!
How to Make BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Pour the BBQ sauce and scoop the grape jelly into the crock pot. Stir well to combine.
STEP TWO: Drop the frozen meatballs into the crockpot, folding them into the sauce until each meatball is thoroughly coated.
STEP THREE: Cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Stir periodically so everything cooks and heats evenly.
STEP FOUR: Once the BBQ and jelly meatballs are warmed through, they’re done! Keep the crockpot on low to keep warm for serving.
What Goes With BBQ Jelly Meatballs?
BBQ and jelly meatballs can be your main protein or a side dish. If you’re making it your main course, then consider a starchy side to fill things out. Sticky white rice or mashed potatoes, for example.
A simple salad of mixed greens and chopped veggies, such as peppers, tomatoes, or cucumbers, would also be great!
If they’re your side dish, then a good main course might be a spicy noodle or stir fried dish.
How Do You Thicken Sauce For BBQ Jelly Meatballs?
The sauce for these BBQ grape jelly meatballs is already pretty thick! But if you’d like it to be even thicker, you can give the jelly and barbecue sauce a bit of time in the crockpot before adding the meatballs.
This will allow it to cook down and thicken — it also leads to a more intense flavor.
You can also use a cornstarch and water mixture, slowly pouring and whisking it into the sauce, to make it thicker.
Use equal parts of cornstarch and water, starting with just a tablespoon or so at first, until the sauce thickens to your liking.
Should I Thaw Meatballs Before Putting In Crockpot?
It isn’t necessary, no. You can, if you would like — the cooking time will simply be an hour or so shorter than if you were to use frozen meat.
Can You Make Meatballs With Grape Jelly And BBQ Sauce On The Stove?
Yes! If you’re short on time or need some extra portions, you can add all of the ingredients and mix them together in a large pot.
Cover and cook on medium heat, stirring regularly, until the meatballs are warmed through the center. This should take 25-20 minutes.
I will say that the stovetop method doesn’t provide the same sticky coating that slow cooking in the crockpot does, but the flavors are all still there!
How Long Do Cooked Meatballs Last In The Fridge?
It ultimately depends on the protein, but you generally don’t want to let these sit in the fridge for any longer than 4 days.
Keep them in an airtight container along with the sauce. After a night in the sauce and warmed the next day on the stovetop, BBQ grape jelly meatballs can be even tastier as leftovers!
Other Crockpot Recipes You’ll Love:
More Meatball Recipes
- Sausage Balls
- Air Fryer Meatballs
- Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs
- Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
- Meatballs With No Breadcrumbs
- Air Fryer Meatball Sub
- Frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer
BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1 18 ounce jar grape jelly
- 2 pounds frozen meatballs
Instructions
- Crockpot
- Combine BBQ sauce with grape jelly in the crockpot; stir well.
- Stir in the frozen meatballs until evenly coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or high for 3 hours. Stir the meatballs a few times during the cooking time, until they’re warmed through.
- Stovetop
- In a large Dutch oven set over medium heat, combine jelly and BBQ sauce. Cook, stirring often, until bubbly.
- Stir in meatballs and coat completely with the sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 25-30 minutes, until meatballs are heated through. Stir the meatballs a few times to avoid scorching.
- If necessary, add about ¼ cup of water to thin out the sauce before serving.
Instead of beef, could you use chicken?
Hi Carole, yes, you can use any kind of frozen meatball including chicken or turkey!