These Cocktail Meatballs (or Grape Jelly Meatballs) are exactly what your party needs, and they’re super easy to make! Homemade Meatballs with an easy, two ingredient sauce.
Love easy snacks? This 7 Layer Dip is a hit at every family gathering and game day party! Or whip up some Hanky Panky’s. My family is obsessed with these crispy bites of sausage and cheese!
Why make Grape Jelly Meatballs
Whether you are headed to a party, or just craving an easy snack, these Cocktail Meatballs are the perfect answer.
Tender, juicy meatballs in an easy sweet and sour sauce!
You’ll love the versatility of this meatball recipe. Whether you whip up a batch of homemade meatballs with the recipe below, or use turkey meatballs, or buy a bag of frozen meatballs, this recipe couldn’t get any easier!
Ingredient Notes
- Meatballs. I usually make a double batch and freeze half for future use. You can also use store bought frozen meatballs for a quick time saver.
- Grape Jelly
- Chili Sauce – found in the ketchup aisle
That’s it. Whether you call these cocktail meatballs or grape jelly meatballs, one thing is for certain, they won’t last long!
Easy Instructions
STEP 1: Start by making the meatballs. In a bowl, combine ground beef with egg, bread crumbs, garlic, salt, pepper and milk. Use your hands to mix thoroughly.
STEP 2: Shape beef mixture into small bite size balls. I use a 1 Tbsp scoop for this, as we prefer our appetizer meatballs to be smaller. You can totally make them bigger if you prefer. Arrange meatballs in a hot skillet over medium high heat, turning often until completely cooked.
PRO TIP: You can freeze cooled, cooked meatballs in a freezer safe airtight container for up to 3 months. So go ahead and double that recipe!
STEP 3: In the bottom of a crockpot or slow cooker, add equal parts of grape jelly and chili sauce. I use about 1 cup of each, but if you like them a little juicier or serving over rice, feel free to double that amount.
Whisk the jelly and chili sauce until combined. Add cooked meatballs (or frozen meatballs) to the crockpot. Turn on low for about 3 hours. Serve warm and enjoy!
- Storage: You can also prepare the grape jelly and chili sauce with the meatballs and refrigerate together for up to 24 hours. Then heat and serve.
- Freezing the meatballs with the jelly and chili sauce is also an option. Whether you prepare it in advance or want to freeze leftovers, store in airtight container for up to one month.
Variations
Our family loves the standard grape jelly with chili sauce for these meatballs. But if you’re looking for a little variety, or your pantry is lacking in an ingredient, there are some tried and true substitutions you may like:
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs: Pineapple preserves with BBQ Sauce
- Ketchup and Grape Jelly
- Cranberry Sauce (either the whole berry or jellied) with BBQ Sauce
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Fresh or frozen meatballs can be used in this cocktail meatball recipe. No need to thaw.
You can make and freee your meatballs without sauce for up to three months. Or refrigerate for 2 days in advance.
In a large baking dish, combine the cooked meatballs with jelly and chili sauce. Cover with foil and bake in a 350 degree F oven for about 40 minutes, or until bubbly hot. Stir and serve.
Can Grape Jelly Meatballs be a meal?
Of course! Serve your grape jelly meatballs with a side of rice or a big green salad on the side.
Pair your crockpot meatballs with some baked mashed potatoes or hashbrown casserole for a filling dish!
Tips and Tricks
- Mix the chili sauce and grape jelly together in the bottom of the slow cooker BEFORE adding the meatballs. This helps create an even distribution of sauce.
- Double the sauce recipe if you’re looking to have a little extra on each meatball.
- This is also a GREAT sauce (the grape jelly with chili sauce) to cook with cocktail weenies (little smokies)!
- Serve your grape jelly meatballs right out of the slow cooker or plate them with party toothpicks!
More Meatball Recipes
More Appetizer Recipes
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Grape Jelly Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup plain bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 Tablespoon milk
- 1 cup grape jelly
- 1 cup chili sauce
Instructions
- Mix beef, egg, bread crumbs, garlic, salt, pepper and milk in large bowl. Shape into small bite size balls. Cook in hot skillet, turning, until completely cooked.
- At this point you can let them cool, and freeze them. Or you can toss them right into a crock pot with the jelly and chili sauce. Turn on low, heat for about 3 hours, serve, enjoy!
Notes
- Frozen meatballs can be used in place of homemade meatballs.
- Storage: You can also prepare the grape jelly and chili sauce with the meatballs and refrigerate together for up to 24 hours. Then heat and serve.
- Freezing the meatballs with the jelly and chili sauce is also an option. Whether you prepare it in advance or want to freeze leftovers, store in airtight container for up to one month.
Nutrition
Grape Jelly Meatballs are the easiest game day appetizer, served in the crockpot with a delicious sweet and sour sauce!
One of my favorite appetizer recipes!
Grape jelly & chili sauce give these so much flavor!! Meatballs have become a family favorite! They are great with so many recipes!
I am so excited to find this recipe! My mother in law always made cocktail meatballs like this and I can’t wait to make this for our next party!
These meatballs are so juicy & tasty!! They are a hit with everyone!!
This is so easy! I love that the ingredients for the sauce only calls for 2 ingredients! I almost always have grape jelly on hand so this is perfect. Looking forward to making this for our next get together.
Cocktail meatballs are always the first to disappear at a party! 🙂
Wow, you threw me off when I saw grape jelly. Thats interesting! I am intrigued, now I have to try it! Great idea on freezing the meatballs!!
My sister makes a similar dish and I am always excited when she brings them. I never thought to bring them to our Super Bowl party. So perfect.
YUM. Bookmarking for Super Bowl!!
Yummo! Thanks for sharing. I love a good meatball recipe!
Those are nice looking meatballs. Superbowl or no Superbowl, I would have this any day. Thank you for sharing this beautiful yummers.
~ ray ~
OH yum! THis would be perfect for a super bowl party! My boyfriend would love these, I could make them with ground turkey!
This is such a yummy one…I would love to try it..U have made perfectly Dear..Bookmarking it..
Aarthi
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/
Great idea to keep some in the freezer! I love meatballs!
@anonymous- I use just plain chili sauce (more sweet, it’s not spicy)
Do you use the really hot chili sauce or the sweet chili sauce. I want to make these but wonder if they will be too hot for my family.
Thanks,
Karen
My idea of a great meatball is called Sam’s Club…jazzed up of course!!! This makes me sound like such a terrible cook huh? Good thing I am a baking blogger:-) The jelly in this totally has me intrigued to try it…maybe a meatball themed dinner is in order
this is a childhood recipe from my mom and i made these a few months ago and they’re the best appetizers to serve guests!! i LOVE them and how easy they are!! yay for you making them 🙂 I’m so glad you did!