Sweet and hearty grape jelly meatballs make for a classic appetizer or main course! Full-bodied and spicy, these fellas are sure to please the crowd.

Grape jelly meatballs are perfect for holiday potlucks and football parties. These tasty little treats are drenched in chili sauce, spiced with cayenne, and rounded out with that sweet grape jelly flavor.

They just might be the easiest yummy appetizer around, you just can’t top the minimal prep work. They’re perfect to make when you’re asked to make a last-minute appetizer. These tender and juicy morsels will be the hit of the party!

Try my cranberry meatballs, Bisquick sausage balls, and my bacon wrapped smokies when you’re looking for more crowd-pleasing little finger foods. All of these are big reader favorites ♥

What I Love Most About This Recipe:

Grape jelly chili sauce meatballs require only four ingredients!
The meatballs are so flavorful!
Prep work for crockpot meatballs grape jelly style is a cinch.
Grape jelly and chili sauce make for a surprisingly tasty combination.

What Are Grape Jelly Meatballs?

In this recipe for crockpot meatballs, grape jelly is king — hence the name! Grape jelly meatballs are simply cocktail meatballs simmered in jelly, chili sauce, and pepper. Simple, yet delicious.

This is a popular dish in the Deep South, and possibly one of the quickest appetizers or entrees you will ever encounter. They were also the hottest food trend of 1962, according to this Insider article! Some things never go out of style.

What Is Chili Sauce?

Chili Sauce is a sweet and tangy condiment made of tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and peppers. I prefer the brand called “Homemade Sauce” in a kettle-shaped jar but sometimes it’s difficult to find. In that case, I use Heinz.

What Ingredients Do You Need To Make Grape Jelly Meatballs?

Jar Grape Jelly- Any brand will do. I generally use Welch’s or Smuckers.
Jar Chili Sauce- This is American-style chili sauce, not Asian. I like a brand called “Homemade Sauce” or Heinz in this recipe.
Cayenne Pepper- If you want more heat in this recipe, you can simply increase the cayenne pepper.
Frozen Cocktail Size Meatballs- These meatballs contain a combo of beef, chicken, and pork. They come fully cooked.

How To Make On The Stove Top

In a large saucepan, whisk together grape jelly, chili sauce, and cayenne pepper until combined.
Add meatballs and stir until evenly coated.
Cover saucepan and cook on medium-low, gently stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes or until meatballs are heated through.

How Do You Make Grape Jelly Meatballs?

Simply mix together cocktail meatballs grape jelly, chili sauce, and cayenne pepper, coating well, then cover and cook for a few hours in the crockpot! This is seriously one of the simplest recipes out there. Of course, you can always up the time commitment factor by making the individual ingredients (jelly, chili sauce, and meatballs) yourself!

Add grape jelly to the crockpot.
Whisk to break up the jelly.
Add chili sauce.
Add cayenne pepper.
Mix well.
Add the frozen meatballs.
Mix and cook on low for 4 hours or 2 hours on high.
Serve.

***See the full instructions below.

Storing Tips

How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? Cool meatballs completely then store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Can You Freeze This? Meatballs with grape jelly and chili sauce are easy to freeze. Layer them in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container, and freeze them for several months at a time (aim for three or four months to be on the safe side). Don’t forget to let the meatballs cool completely before portioning out into your freezer container! I recommend cooling them in the fridge for food safety reasons.
Reheat: Gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce is bubbly.
Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.

How Do You Serve Grape Jelly Meatballs

Appetizer: These make the perfect appetizer. Serve them straight out of the crockpot or on a serving dish. Either way, serve with toothpicks.
Dinner: Serve over buttered noodles or rice.
Side Dish: These are great served along with chicken or ham.

What To Serve With Grape Jelly Meatballs:

Typically, these little gems are served as an appetizer at parties, potlucks, and such. But, there’s no reason not to raise the roof and serve these for dinner! Grape jelly and chili sauce meatballs go great with plain or savory sides like pasta, mashed potatoes, and or cooked veggies. Garden salad and garlic bread are two other common pairings.

Recipe Notes For Grape Jelly Meatballs:

Grape jelly selection: Jelly selection is a delicate matter for some, but I think hard to go wrong with either Smucker’s grape jelly meatballs or Welch’s grape jelly meatballs.
Meatball selection: Pretty much any cocktail-sized (read: not ginormous!) meatball will do the trick in this recipe. Again, if you want to do everything homemade style, where there’s a will there’s a way! Here’s my fave meatball recipe.
Chili sauce selection: For the uninitiated, chili sauce is a spicy tomato and chili-rich hot sauce. You can find it at most local groceries! Adjust the spice level to your liking. (And yes, you can make this at home as well. Recipes vary, but the basics are tomatoes, onions, chilies, garlic, salt, and vinegar.)
Crockpot alternatives: If you don’t have a crockpot or want to supervise your meatballs more closely, you can, of course, make these on the stovetop as well! Just mix and simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat until the meatballs are warmed through, for about thirty minutes.

More Party Perfect Finger Foods

More Meatball Recipes…

Tried This Recipe?

Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Save Recipe!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe