Crockpot Jelly Meatballs

Crockpot Jelly Meatballs are the perfect party food or appetizer for any gathering! This easy jelly meatball recipe starts with frozen meatballs, jelly (any flavor!), brown sugar, and chili sauce. Simple to make and so delicious. Everyone loves these meatballs. 

For more family favorite appetizer recipes be sure and also make The Best Cheeseball Recipe and this Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip. 

Crockpot Jelly Meatballs Recipe

If you need an easy appetizer that is always a hit then these jelly meatballs are a must-make! The best thing about them is that you only need 4 easy & convenient ingredients like frozen meatballs, jarred jelly, jarred chili sauce, and brown sugar. 

The meatballs get so soft and tender with the longer crockpot cook time, and the jelly sauce makes the perfect saucey and flavorful coating for the meatballs. They can be served as an appetizer with toothpicks, or as an easy dinner served over cooked rice. 

Ingredients Needed

This easy appetizer recipe only requires 4 ingredients! It uses convenient ingredients like jarred sauces and frozen meatballs. 

• Frozen Meatballs – You will need about 60 frozen meatballs for this recipe. A bag that is 28 ounces to 32 ounces will work great, or count out 60 meatballs from a larger bag. 
• Jelly – Use any flavor of jelly or preserves that you want! Traditionally this recipe uses grape jelly but I have found that any of them work. I prefer using apricot preserves or peach preserves. Grape jelly is another yummy option, or try using red raspberry jelly (without the seeds) for a twist to this classic recipe. 
• Chili Sauce – This does not make the meatballs too spicy at all. It adds a much needed contrast to the sweetness of the jelly and brown sugar. 
• Brown Sugar – I use light brown sugar but if you prefer dark brown sugar then that can easily be substituted. 

How To Make Jelly Meatballs with Chili Sauce & Brown Sugar

Learn how to make this easy recipe for jelly meatballs with the simple steps below. Be sure and read to the bottom of the page where there is a detailed recipe card with a printable option and a pin it button so you can save the recipe for later. 

• Prep : Get out your crockpot and spray the insert with cooking spray. Dump the frozen meatballs into it. No need to thaw them first!
• Jelly Sauce : In a saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine the jelly or preserves, chili sauce, and brown sugar. Stir and heat until it’s a combined mixture and smooth. 
• Meatballs : Pour the warmed sauce over the meatballs and stir everything together making sure that the meatballs are all coated in the sauce. 
• Cook : Cover with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 4-5 hours. 

Crockpot Jelly Meatballs FAQ’s

• Serving Suggestions

  • There are a couple different ways to serve these meatballs. Here are some ideas!
    • Appetizer : These are great served as an appetizer at a party, gathering, super bowl, etc. Keep the meatballs right inside the slow cooker, on the warm setting, and set out a bowl of toothpicks for serving. 
    • Easy Dinner : Another way that my family likes to eat these is for dinner served over some cooked white rice. 
    • As Is : You can also serve them for dinner as is with a side of roasted sheet pan vegetables or roasted potatoes. Kind of like meatloaf and potatoes. 

• How To Store Leftovers

  • Leftover will keep well, in an airtight container, inside the fridge for 3-4 days. 
  • You can either heat up leftovers in the microwave or place them into the slow cooker, or saucepan over medium heat, and heat until warmed through. 

• Substitution & Variation Ideas

  • Jelly : Use any type of jelly or preserves that you want! I prefer using peach preserves, apricot preserves, or blackberry jelly. Make sure that it is seedless. Traditionally, this recipe uses grape jelly (which is great) but any of the jelly or preserves will work. 
  • Meatballs : If you are using meatballs from a larger bag, like the Costco sized bags, then you will need to count out 60 meatballs. The 28 ounce to 32 ounce sized bags at the grocery store will work great too. Use homestyle meatballs, Italian meatballs, it really doesn’t matter. 

• How To Keep Meatballs Warm For a Party

  • These are are so easy to keep warm! Simply leave the jelly meatballs inside the crockpot and turn the heat to ‘warm’. They can stay on the warm setting for several hours.

Recipe Tips

Here are a few of my helpful tips so that you can have success recreating this recipe in your own kitchen ♥

• Don’t Skip The Stove : Most of the jelly meatball recipes just call for all the ingredients to be dumped into the crockpot. Years ago my aunt made these meatballs and she first heated up the sauce ingredients on the stove top. Trust me, it may not seem like it makes a difference, but it does! I recommend taking the few extra minutes and heating up the sauce ingredients together on the stove top before adding it onto the slow cooker. 
• Stir The Meatballs During Cook Time : I have found that if I just leave the meatballs in the slow cooker for the entire cook time, without stirring them, some of the meatballs on the side tend to burn to the sides of the slow cooker insert. If you’re able, stir the meatballs 1-2 times during the cook time. Not only will this prevent burning but it also helps spread the sauce all over the meatballs (kind of like basting).
• Jelly : Mix it up and try a different jelly flavor or preserves. Traditionally, the jelly meatball recipe calls for grape jelly but I have found that I actually prefer using apricot preserves or peach preserves instead. Of course grape jelly is a yummy option, or try using red raspberry jelly (seedless), blackberry preserves, or another variety. 
• Cook on Low Heat : It’s important to cook these meatballs on low heat in the crockpot. Low & slow is the best option when cooking anything in the crockpot. 

More Recipes That Use Frozen Meatballs

• Slow Cooker Spaghetti & Meatballs – This seems to get made at least once per month at my house! Kids love these easy meatballs that start with frozen meatballs and a doctored up jar of spaghetti sauce. 
• Easy Swedish Meatballs – Another family favorite dinner recipe!
• Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole – Pasta, frozen meatballs, and lots of cheese make this a kid favorite. 
• Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs – Frozen meatballs cook in a semi-homemade sweet and sour sauce with pineapple and green pepper. Serve over rice!