Discover the ultimate convenience with our 3-ingredient crockpot meatballs. Perfectly savory and simple, the best part is that these meatballs are made in just a few minutes of prep time. Perfect for your next party!

Believe it or not, all you need are three basic ingredients to make these crockpot cocktail meatballs: frozen meatballs, grape jelly, and chili sauce. It’s a combination that might sound unconventional, but it works wonders in the slow cooker.

The frozen meatballs provide the meaty base, while the grape jelly adds a touch of sweetness and the chili sauce brings in just the right amount of tang and heat. Over a few hours, the meatballs will absorb the sweet and spicy flavors of the sauce, resulting in a delicious appetizer that’s both savory and slightly tangy.

Crockpot cocktail meatballs are a versatile and crowd-pleasing appetizer suitable for a wide range of events and gatherings.

Slow cooker meatballs are the perfect party food for throughout the holiday season, such as Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, as well as for game day.

These meatballs are also an excellent tasty appetizer for birthdays, potlucks, family reunions, baby showers, and casual get-togethers thanks to their ease of preparation and simple ingredients.

How to Make Easy Cocktail Meatballs

Ingredients

1.5 pounds of meatballs (about 48 frozen meatballs)
1 jar of chili sauce
1 jar of grape jelly

Instructions:

Place meatballs into the bottom of the slow cooker. You don’t need to thaw them; they will cook perfectly from frozen.

In a separate bowl, combine the chili sauce and grape jelly.

Stir the mixture until the jelly and chili sauce are well blended.

Pour the grape jelly sauce over top of the meatballs in the slow cooker, ensuring that all the meatballs are coated evenly.

Cover with the lid and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for about 3-4 hours on low.

Once the meatballs are hot, cooked through, and the sauce has thickened, they are ready to serve. You can keep the slow cooker on the “warm” setting if serving them over an extended period.

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container.

Relevant Recipes

Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs FAQs

What can I use instead of grape jelly when making party meatballs?

If you’re looking for alternatives to grape jelly when making party meatballs, there are several options to consider. You can use apricot preserves, cranberry sauce, peach preserves, or orange marmalade to create a sweet and tangy sauce for your meatballs.

How many meatballs per person for 50 guests?

To determine how many meatballs to serve per person for 50 guests, consider the context of your event. For appetizers, plan on serving approximately 3-5 meatballs per person. If meatballs are the main dish, serving 6-8 meatballs per person is a good guideline.

Adjust the quantity based on factors like the presence of other food options, the age of your guests, and any dietary considerations. It’s also wise to have some extra meatballs to accommodate varying appetites and preferences.

Easy Cocktail Party Meatballs Recipe

Yield: 50 meatballs

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Discover the ultimate convenience with our 3-ingredient crockpot meatballs. Perfectly savory and simple, the best part is that these meatballs are made in just a few minutes of prep time. Perfect for your next party!

Ingredients

1.5 lbs frozen meatballs (about 48 meatballs)
1 bottle (12-18 oz) chili sauce
1 jar (12-18 oz) grape jelly

Instructions

Place meatballs into the bottom of the slow cooker. You don't need to thaw them; they will cook perfectly from frozen.

In a separate bowl, combine the chili sauce and grape jelly.

Stir the mixture until the jelly and chili sauce are well blended.

Pour the grape jelly sauce over top of the meatballs in the slow cooker, ensuring that all the meatballs are coated evenly.

Cover with the lid and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for about 3-4 hours on low.

Once the meatballs are hot, cooked through, and the sauce has thickened, they are ready to serve. You can keep the slow cooker on the "warm" setting if serving them over an extended period.

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container.

Notes

These meatballs are mildly spicy. If you are like me and don't really like a kick, omit the hot sauce. Or if you love a kick, add more hot sauce!

Can I Use Different Sauces to Make the Cocktail Meatballs Sauce?

There are so many simple ingredients that would be a great option here.

Pepper Jelly, Apple Jelly or Cranberry Sauce

Heinz Chili Sauce in place of the BBQ sauce

You can also substitute with turkey meatballs if you choose.

How do I Make Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

The crock pot is a great way to make this family favorite! Cook your crockpot meatballs on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours. The best way to serve your slow cooker meatballs is in the crock on the warm setting.