This has been one of my favorite holiday appetizers since I was a kid.
grape jelly meatballs It may sound like a strange combination, but it’s amazing. i promise. With just three simple ingredients, this recipe is so easy you actually just cook it and there are no leftovers.
Cocktail meatballs are as easy as throwing the ingredients into the slow cooker and turning it on.
Calories and weights of ingredients used in grape jelly meatballs
meatball – Use ready-made or homemade meatballs. Super quick cooking with frozen meatballs!
Grape jelly – Use any kind of grape jelly. If you can’t find it, any other type of jelly will do. I also used a pinch of canned cranberry sauce.
Ketchup or Chili Sauce – Ketchup is the recipe we grew up with, so I use ketchup most of the time! You can also use chili sauce, which is a tangy, ketchup-like condiment.
Source variation
You can modify this recipe slightly based on what you have on hand. The sauce should be sweet (jelly) and tangy (ketchup).
- instead of grape jelly Apricot jam, orange marmalade, canned cranberry sauce, raspberry jam, or hot pepper jelly.
- instead of ketchup Heinz chili sauce, or barbecue sauce.
Important Ingredient Information
Substitute chili sauce for ketchup not spicy sauceLook for the Heinz brand in glass bottles near ketchup (also available) online here Or make a homemade chili sauce).
It’s the same chili sauce you use to top your favorite meatloaf.
How to make meatballs with grape jelly
This is the easiest homemade appetizer recipe ever, but you’ll get rave reviews because everyone loves these incredibly delicious little bites!
- If you are making homemade meatballs, prepare and bake according to the meatball recipe.
- Place all ingredients (including frozen or cooked meatballs) in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook over low heat according to the recipe below.
The sauce will thicken if you let it cool a little or keep it warm with the lid open at a party. If you want it thicker, mix equal parts cornstarch and water and give it a little stir (it doesn’t need to be thickened).
feed the crowd?
This recipe can be doubled if you have a larger cooking pot (6qt). If you prefer, you can double the sauce, add a touch of smoky, and cook everything together.
Keep a box of toothpicks near the crockpot and they’ll be gone in no time.
How to eat grape jelly meatballs
Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs can be served as an appetizer at a holiday party or as a complete meal.
- If serving at a party, switch the slow cooker to the warm setting and keep a bowl of toothpicks nearby when you’re done cooking.
- Tuck them into slider rolls or hoagie rolls for a heartier meal.
- Serve over white rice or mashed potatoes!
- Add stir-fried green peppers and onions to sweet and sour meatballs.
leftovers/leftovers
Grape jelly meatballs are the perfect appetizer!
Advance preparation: It can be cooked the day before and stored in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the crockpot. Recommended. Or just freeze it on a rainy day. (Or on your next game day!)
- To save: It can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and in the freezer for 2-3 months. Be sure to use an airtight container and leave room for the sauce to expand if frozen.
- To reheat: Thaw overnight and return to the crockpot to reheat for 2-3 hours, or place in a pot on the stovetop, add a bit of ketchup or chili sauce if desired, and heat until bubbly and piping hot! As good as the day they were made, and probably even better!
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Are you the one who made these grape jelly meatballs? Please leave your rating and comments below!
grape jelly meatballs
Grape jelly meatballs are a sweet and savory appetizer made with just three simple ingredients.
If using raw meatballs, cook meatballs according to recipe instructions.
Place meatballs, ketchup and grape jelly in a small slow cooker. mix.
Cook over low heat for 3-4 hours or until thoroughly cooked.
variation
- instead of grape jelly Apricot jam, orange marmalade, canned cranberry sauce, raspberry jam, or hot pepper jelly.
- instead of ketchup Heinz chili sauce or barbecue sauce. Substitute chili sauce for ketchup not spicy sauceLook for the Heinz brand in glass bottles near ketchup (also available) online here Or make a homemade chili sauce).
calorie: 292 | | carbohydrate: twenty threeg | | protein: 13g | | thick: 16g | | saturated fat: 6g | | cholesterol: 54mg | | sodium: 321mg | | potassium: 328mg | | fiber: 1g | | sugar: 17g | | Vitamin A: 159IU | | Vitamin C: Fourmg | | calcium: 20mg | | iron: 1mg
Nutritional information provided is an estimate and will vary depending on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
course appetizer, beef, party food
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