3 Ingredient Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe - (2024)

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3 Ingredient Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe

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Allan LiwanagAugust 26, 2017

This ”Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe ” post is sure to give a different take on the traditional barbecue meatballs we all love to eat.This post contains affiliate links/ads. Seedisclosure policy.

Every time I hear the word “meatballs”, the first thing that comes to my mind is barbecue meatballs. Why not? That recipe or food is one of the most famous or classic foods that we all love to eat.

I can’t really count how many times my wife or I make meatballs every year. It’s just a lot to count. Sometimes, when we are too lazy or in hurry, we just grab a bag of frozen meatballs either at Walmart or IKEA (if we go there to buy some furniture).

Just the other day, my wife and I were talking about what to eat for dinner. I’ll tell you that thinking about what to eat is the hardest part of our day. While my parents-in-law can cook just about anything, we don’t want them to cook for that day. It’s more like our time to cook.

Then, it popped in my head, that is, the grape jelly meatballs (crock pot method) that I ate when I went to a potluck party. I’ve seen and tasted that food a couple of times but I haven’t tried that at home yet.

You may wonder why it’s popular in potlucks. It’s because it’s way too easy to cook that food. Even a second grader can combine all the ingredients in no time.

But I’ll tell you that this is one of the best crock pot meatballs out there. Seriously, it’s one of the best.

Related posts:

  • Homemade Shrimp Tempura
  • Simple Grilled Barbecue Chicken
  • Grandmas’ Chicken and Mushroom Fried Rice

3 Ingredient Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe - (1)

Some people call this recipe “Grape Jelly Meatballs or “Homemade Meatballs With Grape Jelly”, “Welch’s Grape Jelly Meatballs’. Some call it “Slow Cooker Party Meatballs” or even all it “Smuckers Grape Jelly Meatballs”.

In short, there’s really no definite term on what to call this recipe. Having said that, people can agree that this is an easy recipe that anybody can create in no time. It’s one of the easiest yet tastiest foods you will ever taste in your life.

Seriously. I’m not kidding when I said that.

So, without any further ado, here is the recipe to the grape jelly meatballs recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 18 oz grape jelly (any brand will be fine)
  • 18 oz barbecue sauce (any type and brand will be fine as well)
  • 3 lbs frozen meatballs (traditional, Italian, or the ever-yummy IKEA Swedish meatballs are great)

Equipment/Tools:

  • Crock pot (seriously that’s it)

3 Ingredient Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe - (2)

Instructions:

Combine both the grape jelly and the barbecue sauce in the crock pot. Once both ingredients are fully incorporate, drop the frozen meatballs in the crock pot. You don’t need to thaw the meatballs before putting them in the crock pot. That’s the magic of the crock pot. Haha

Make sure that the meatballs are fully coated with the sauce. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.

Enjoy the dish as an appetizer or main dish served with rice.

3 Ingredient Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe - (3)

Final thoughts:

That’s it. I told you that’s easy. All you have to is combine all the ingredients, use your crock pot, and patiently wait until the meatballs are cook. You let the crock pot do its magic and let yourself take a break from a busy day.

Are you going to try this recipe? Are you going to use meatballs, sausages or something else for this recipe? Yes, you can use other meats other than meatballs. Ain’t that cool?

Similar Recipes You Might Like:

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Slow Cooker Pineapple BBQ Meatballs

If you link to pin this recipe on Pinterest, please use the image below.

3 Ingredient Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe - (6)

Related posts:

  • Homemade Shrimp Tempura
  • Simple Grilled Barbecue Chicken
  • Grandmas’ Chicken and Mushroom Fried Rice

3 Ingredient Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe

3 Ingredient Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe - (7)

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Yummy and easy meatballs crock pot recipe to elevate your taste buds and keep you making more and more every time you cook one.

Author: Allan Liwanag

Ingredients

  • 18 oz grape jelly (any brand will be fine)
  • 18 oz barbecue sauce (any type and brand will be fine as well)
  • 3 lbs frozen meatballs (traditional, Italian, or the ever-yummy IKEA Swedish meatballs are great)

Instructions

  1. Combine both the grape jelly and the barbecue sauce in the crock pot.
  2. Once both ingredients are fully incorporate, drop the frozen meatballs in the crock pot. You don't need to thaw the meatballs before putting them in the crock pot.
  3. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.

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About The Author

3 Ingredient Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe - (10)

Allan Liwanag
3 Ingredient Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe - (2024)

FAQs

Why do you put grape jelly in meatballs? ›

To make these sweet and tangy meatballs, you'll need: Grape jelly: For a sweetness that balances the chili sauce, and to provide a glossy finish to the sauce. Chili sauce: Tomato paste, spices, and garlic give this sauce its depth. Barbecue sauce: Thickens the sauce while complementing the jelly and chili sauce.

Why are my grape jelly meatballs runny? ›

To thicken runny grape jelly meatball sauce, mix up a teaspoon of cornstarch (or even two depending on how thick you want things) with an equal amount of water. Stir this into the bubbling meatball mixture during the last hour they're in the slow cooker.

What can I substitute for grape jelly meatballs? ›

Replace the Grape Jelly with apricot preserves, orange marmalade, canned cranberry sauce, raspberry preserves, or hot pepper jelly. Replace the Ketchup with Heinz chili sauce or barbecue sauce. If swapping the ketchup for chili sauce, it is not a spicy sauce.

What can I add to meatballs to stick together? ›

Add a lightly beaten egg, but not too much. Egg acts as a binder for the ingredients, but you only need a small amount. One small egg will do for one pound of minced meat. Alternatively, if you're following an egg-free diet, you could soak fresh bread in milk, squeezing out any excess milk, to use as a binder.

Is it better to use milk or water in meatballs? ›

While water and broth may keep the meatballs moist throughout the cooking process, milk's extra fat and luscious consistency add an unmatched level of complexity to any classic meatball recipe.

How do I get my grape jelly to set? ›

Let stand in the refrigerator until set. Store in the freezer. To remake cooked jam or jelly without added pectin, for each 1 L (4 cups) jam or jelly add 25 mL (2 tbsp) bottled lemon juice. Heat to boiling and boil jam or jelly hard 3 to 4 minutes, then test for signs of gelling.

Why are they called baby shower meatballs? ›

Baby shower meatballs are just meatballs that people like to eat at baby showers. They're a yummy snack that's easy to eat with your fingers. They're not special meatballs, they just get called that because they're often served at baby showers.

What is the difference between homestyle and Italian meatballs? ›

Homestyle meatballs are typically larger in size, often about the size of a golf ball or even bigger [2]. Italian-style meatballs can vary in size, ranging from golf ball-sized to baseball-sized, depending on the desired serving style [1].

How do you fix meatballs that are falling apart? ›

Start with just a few meatballs in the pan, and if they fall apart, adjust the mix before doing more by either adding some breadcrumbs (to soak up extra liquid) or adding some more egg. (It doesn't have to be a whole egg; lightly scramble an egg in a bowl and then you can decide how much to pour in.)

Can you use frozen grapes to make grape jelly? ›

Grapes are best frozen in syrup, but grapes to be used for juice or jelly can be frozen without sweetening. To freeze grapes: Choose tender skin, firm, sweet grapes with full color and flavor. Sort, remove stems and wash. Leave seedless grapes whole; cut table grapes with seeds in half and remove seeds.

What is the difference between Welch's grape jelly and Welch's grape jam? ›

Welch's Jelly is made from fruit juice and Welch's Jam is made from pureed fruit. So to put it simply, though we use the same ingredients, the texture of both products will be different.

Is Concord grape jelly the same as regular grape jelly? ›

Welch's Natural Concord Grape Spread

And unlike most grape jelly, it isn't made with high fructose corn syrup. It's just concord grapes, sugar, lemon juice concentrate, and fruit pectin. Don't be turned off by the fact that it's a “spread” rather than a jelly—it's the consistency of jelly, I promise.

What does adding milk to meatballs do? ›

Milk: Milk adds moisture, ensuring the meatballs don't dry out during the cooking process. Onion: An onion lends bold flavor. Meat: You'll need a pound of ground beef and a pound of ground pork. Egg: An egg adds moisture and helps bind the meatballs together.

Is it better to cook meatballs before adding to sauce? ›

Adding raw meatballs to the sauce and gently simmering till cooked yields ultra-tender results, and infuses the sauce with meaty flavor—a slow cooker gives great results.

What is the secret of a tender meatball? ›

Milk: Adds moisture and tenderizes the meat, making our meatballs juicy and tender once cooked. Egg: Adds more moisture and helps the mixture firm up once cooked. Parmesan: My secret ingredient for the best meatballs! Parmigiano-Reggiano adds flavor and salt to our mixture.

What does grape jelly do for you? ›

As its popularity continues in the modern era, the looming question for many health-conscious consumers is: "Is grape jelly healthy?" Yes, grape jelly can be healthy because of its pectin and antioxidants, which promote better digestion.

When were grape jelly meatballs invented? ›

In fact, the grape jelly meatball has been a beloved appetizer since at least the 1960s—and it isn't going anywhere. The dish is humble: Toss beef meatballs in a sauce of grape jelly and barbecue or a tomato-based chili sauce—always one prepared sauce, and always grape jelly. Stir in lemon juice, sometimes.

What is the jam they put on Ikea meatballs? ›

There is probably no other dish that is so connected to Swedish cuisine, as meatballs with cream sauce and lingonberry jam.

Can you leave out grape jelly? ›

You can technically store opened jams and jellies at room temperature—but only in a cool, dark place and for about a week after opening, says Lee. Here's why: Jams and jellies have high sugar and acid levels, which protect against spoilage.

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