Crockpot Jelly Meatballs

A crockpot with meatballs in a sauce inside and a wooden spoon.

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.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword crockpot jelly meatballs

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 5

Servings (5 meatballs each)

Calories 363kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Equipment

Ingredients

1 bag (32 oz) frozen meatballs
1 jar (18 oz) jelly or preserves
1 bottle (12 oz) Heinz chili sauce
1/2 cup light brown sugar

Instructions

Spray insert of a slow cooker with cooking spray. Dump the frozen meatballs in.
In a saucepan, over medium heat, add the jar of jelly/preserves, chili sauce, and brown sugar. Stir together and let it heat for a few minutes or until all the sugar is dissolved and it’s a smooth mixture.
Pour the sauce over the meatballs inside the slow cooker. Stir everything together to coat the meatballs in the sauce.
Cover with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 4-5 hours.
* If you're able, it helps to mix the meatballs 1-2 times during the cook time. This ensures that no meatballs burn/stick to the side of the crockpot and it coats all the meatballs in the sauce throughout the cook time.
Serve with toothpicks as an appetizer straight from the crockpot or you can use a slotted spoon and move them to a serving bowl.
* The meatballs do really well on the 'warm' setting for several hours if you're serving them at a party or gathering.

Notes

Chili Sauce : Store brand chili sauce can be used but the Heinz brand chili sauce tastes the best, which is why I recommend using it.

Frozen Meatballs : 32 ounces of meatballs is equal to about 60-65 frozen meatballs.

Jelly/Preserves : Traditionally these meatballs usually call for grape jelly (which is a great option) but I have found that the peach preserves or apricot preserves taste really good too. You can even use red raspberry (seedless) or blackberry preserves. They're all amazing in this recipe.

Nutrition