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Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

These Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs are the ultimate effortless appetizer—sweet, smoky, tangy, and unbelievably addictive. With just a few pantry staples and a hands-off slow-cooker method, you get tender, glossy meatballs that disappear fast at any party, potluck, or family gathering.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Appetizer, Party Food, Snack
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 2 lb frozen meatballs beef, turkey, or chicken—keep fully frozen
For the Sauce
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce smoky varieties recommended
  • 1 cup grape jelly
  • 2 Tbsp sriracha adjust to taste

Method
 

  1. Ensure your slow cooker insert is clean and dry. Set up your cooker for a long, gentle simmer.
  2. Place the frozen meatballs directly into the slow cooker—no thawing necessary.
  3. Pour the BBQ sauce, grape jelly, and sriracha over the meatballs. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the containers clean.
  4. Gently fold everything together until the meatballs are well coated without breaking them.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours, stirring once or twice. Meatballs are ready when the sauce is glossy and fully melted.
  6. Stir once more to coat evenly. Switch to WARM for serving if needed.

Notes

To thicken the sauce, remove the slow-cooker lid during the final 20–30 minutes. Add extra sriracha for more heat or a splash of apple cider vinegar to balance sweetness. The recipe freezes well and reheats beautifully.