Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs

October 10, 2016 ShawnOnFood Recipes

BBQ meatballs in a crock-pot slow cooker

How to make Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs

Grape Jelly Meatballs are a perfect appetizer and easy to make with only three ingredients. The best part is once they are made you set the slow cooker (aka Crock Pot) on low and enjoy your party!

I like to use Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce for this recipe or a mix of that and one that isn’t spicy.  You could use a name brand like Welch’s grape jelly or Smucker’s but I’d save some money and get whatever is economical and on sale. You can also use apple jelly instead.

I’ve seen where some recipes put the frozen meatballs (homestyle or Italian style) and everything else in the slow cooker for 2-3 hours on high.  I prefer the way I’m showing you because I don’t usually have that much time before a party and I want them ready in time.  If using a microwave to thaw the meatballs be sure to use the thaw/defrost setting and don’t over do it.  You just need them to the point of no longer being frozen. Even better you can put them in the refrigerator the night before and let them thaw out.

Worried you might run out of meatballs for your party?

If you aren’t sure how much you need for a party you can have an extra bag of frozen fully cooked meatballs in the freezer and a little extra BBQ sauce on hand. If you run out you can thaw the frozen meatballs out in the microwave which doesn’t take long and add them to the slow cooker.  You don’t have to thaw the whole bag either just thaw what you want.  You may not even need to add any extra BBQ sauce depending on how many meatballs you add to the slow cooker.

Yum

Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs with Grape Jelly and BBQ sauce
 
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This is a favorite at parties I have. I prefer a ratio of 2 parts BBQ to 1 part jelly. I like to use a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce but use what you like.
Author:
Recipe type: Shortcut
Cuisine: Appetizers
Ingredients
  • 2lb bag frozen fully cooked meatballs - thawed overnight in refrigerator or in microwave
  • 40oz bottle of BBQ sauce or two smaller 18oz bottles
  • 18oz jar of grape jelly ( 2¼ cup grape jelly)
Instructions
  1. Combine BBQ sauce and jelly in a pan, and heat giving it a stir once in awhile until combined.
  2. Thaw the meatballs. (microwave thaw setting or thawed in advance)
  3. Add to a slow cooker and put on high for around 45 to 60 minutes or until hot, then put to warm.
  4. Enjoy!
Notes
I like to use Sweet Baby Rays sweet and spicy BBQ sauce for this even though it's not my favorite by itself. Use whatever you want. All that matters is you like it!

The frozen meatballs should already be precooked and only need thawed out.

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