3-Ingredient Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs are the sweet and savory slow cooker appetizer your party table has been missing! With just three ingredients and minimal prep, these meatballs practically cook themselves. Frozen meatballs, smoky barbecue sauce, and rich grape jelly come together in a sticky glaze that’s tangy, comforting, and downright addictive.
Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering, family dinner, or holiday get-together, this dish delivers crowd-pleasing flavor with no stress. Just toss everything into your slow cooker, set it, forget it—and enjoy a saucy bite of nostalgia.
Believe it or not, this recipe has roots tracing back to the 1960s, when home cooks began combining jelly with savory sauces to create unique cocktail meatballs for potlucks and parties. It’s since become a retro classic that stands the test of time, and for good reason—every bite is full of rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
So go ahead—make a batch of these 3-Ingredient Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs. They’ll disappear faster than you can say, “Who brought the meatballs?!”
Recipe Yield: 10–12 appetizer servings or 6 dinner servings
INGREDIENTS
1 (32 oz) bag frozen fully cooked meatballs
one cup grape jelly
1 cup barbecue sauce (smoky or spicy recommended, avoid overly sweet styles)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Prepare the slow cooker:
Add the frozen meatballs to your slow cooker insert.
2. Mix the sauce:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the grape jelly and barbecue sauce until fully combined and smooth.
3. Combine and cook:
Pour the sauce over the meatballs and stir gently to coat. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until heated through and bubbling.
4. Stir and serve:
Stir the meatballs once more before serving. Keep warm in the slow cooker for parties or transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe
- Use Quality Meatballs: Choose frozen meatballs with a beefy flavor and minimal fillers for the best texture and taste.
- Balance Your Sauce: Opt for a smoky or spicy barbecue sauce to cut the sweetness of the grape jelly and deepen the flavor.
- Party-Perfect Tip: Set your slow cooker to “warm” once fully cooked—these meatballs will stay saucy and delicious for hours on a buffet table.
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