These Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Chili Sauce Meatballs are the ultimate hands-off appetizer, with just three ingredients, one slow cooker, and a sweet-and-tangy glaze so good you’ll swoon over.
With just meatballs, chili sauce, and grape jelly, you get a glossy, sticky-sweet sauce with just the right hint of savory depth, no chopping, no stirring, no fuss. They’re perfect for holiday parties, game day spreads, or potlucks where you need something that feeds a crowd without tying you to the stove.
Helpful Tips
- Keep them warm for serving: Once the meatballs are done, switch your slow cooker to the “warm” setting so they stay at the perfect temperature for grazing throughout the party.
- Stir halfway through cooking: Giving the meatballs a gentle stir around the halfway mark helps coat every piece evenly in that glossy sauce.
- Make your own meatballs for extra flavor: If you have a little extra time, homemade meatballs (see the notes) add a fresher, more flavorful bite than store-bought, and they freeze beautifully for next time.
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Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Chili Sauce Meatballs
Ingredients
- 32 ounce bag frozen fully-cooked meatballs see notes to make meatballs from scratch
- 12 ounces chili sauce such as Heinz
- 10 ounces grape jelly
Instructions
- Add the meatballs to the slow cooker. Add the chili sauce and grape jelly. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 hours on HIGH or 4 to 6 hours on LOW. Serve directly from the slow cooker with a serving spoon or toothpicks.
Notes
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon EACH salt and black pepper
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Mix gently just until combined. Don’t overmix, or the meatballs can turn tough.
- Roll into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the baking sheet. Make sure they aren’t touching. Bake for 12 minutes or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Nutrition
Angela’s passion for discovering and experimenting with new flavors and recipes is at the heart of her culinary philosophy. Residing in a quaint Oregon town, she finds joy and inspiration in her kitchen. Angela has a lot of expertise in cooking and she eagerly shares her discoveries and unique creations with you.