By Becky Hardin
Published Sep 29, 2023
Grape Jelly Meatballs are incredibly easy to make and always disappear fast at parties! Make a holiday party or game day so much more delicious when you serve this simple appetizer. Homemade meatballs are slowly cooked to perfection with just 4 inexpensive ingredients to create the best sweet and tangy sauce!
What’s in this Grape Jelly Meatball Recipe
You only need 4 simple ingredients to make the best grape jelly sauce! The meatballs also come together with just a handful of delicious ingredients that you may already have on hand.
- Grape Jelly: Any brand will get the job done, so just pick your favorite.
- Sweet Red Chili Sauce: This is a sweet and savory condiment that adds a ton of flavor to the sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce: I love the savory flavor this creates in both the sauce and meatballs.
- White Vinegar: Just a splash of vinegar helps balance everything out with a tangy flavor.
- Ground Chuck: You can use ground beef if preferred.
- Breadcrumbs: Use plain breadcrumbs, not Italian. Italian breadcrumbs will not compliment the sauce.
- Milk: Whole milk is what I use! You can substitute it as needed.
- Kosher Salt: A little goes a long way.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper yields the most flavor.
- Garlic Powder: You can use granulated garlic instead if preferred.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Add more or less to control the spice level.
- Eggs: These will act as a binder for all of the meatball ingredients.
PRO TIP: Make the meatballs into similar sized balls so that they cook evenly, you can use a small ice cream scoop to do this if it’s easier.
Are grape jelly meatballs spicy?
Nope! However, you can make them spicy by adding more crushed red pepper flakes in the meatball mixture. Feel free to sprinkle some into the sauce as well to really crank up the heat. If that’s still not enough, consider mixing in some sriracha!
This combo may seem odd, but it’s the best! The grape jelly mixes together with sweet red chili sauce, worcestershire sauce and white vinegar to create a smooth sauce that’s both sweet and savory. It pairs perfectly with the meatballs.
Yes! Just toss them into the slow cooker with the sauce, mix it all together, and cook as instructed until warmed through.
This can happen when meatballs are too tightly packed. Avoid this by using a cookie scoop to form the meatballs, and try not to really pack the meat in there.
How to Store/Reheat
Once cooled to room temperature, you can store grape jelly meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or Crockpot until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Let the meatballs fully cool before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. Label, date, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
This is a great appetizer for the holidays and game day ! I like to serve these meatballs with grape jelly on a large platter with a few forks and let everyone dig in! You can also serve each one on a cocktail stick if you prefer.
If you like, you can turn them into a full meal by serving them with rice or on a bed of sautéed vegetables.
5-Star Review
“I make these every NYE. They’re always a hit!” – Jen
More Game Day Appetizers We Love
- Fried Mozzarella Sticks
- Cheeseburger Sliders
- Corn Ribs
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Cheesy Pigs in a Blanket
- Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Ingredients1x2x3x
For the Sauce:
- ▢ 15 ounces grape jam
- ▢ 15 ounces Sweet Red Chili Sauce
- ▢ 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ▢ 2 teaspoons white vinegar
For the Meatballs:
- ▢ 2 pounds ground chuck
- ▢ ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ▢ ¼ cup milk
- ▢ 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder granulated garlic
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ▢ 2 eggs lightly beaten
Video
Instructions
For the Sauce:
- Whisk together jam, chili sauce, Worcestershire Sauce and white vinegar.
For the Meatballs:
- Heat oven to 400°F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray the foil with nonstick spray.
- Set the slow-cooker to HIGH and spray the interior with nonstick spray.
- Place all meatball ingredients in a large bowl and mix to combine. Shape into 1½-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet about 1-inch apart.
- Roast the meatballs 13-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Place the meatballs in the now hot slow-cooker and pour the sauce over the meatballs.
- Cover and cook on HIGH 3-4 hours or on LOW 4-6 hours or until meatballs are tender.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 15 ounces grape jam
- 15 ounces Sweet Red Chili Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
For the Meatballs:
- 2 pounds ground chuck
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder granulated garlic
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
Instructions
For the Sauce:
- Whisk together jam, chili sauce, Worcestershire Sauce and white vinegar.
For the Meatballs:
- Heat oven to 400°F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray the foil with nonstick spray.
- Set the slow-cooker to HIGH and spray the interior with nonstick spray.
- Place all meatball ingredients in a large bowl and mix to combine. Shape into 1½-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet about 1-inch apart.
- Roast the meatballs 13-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Place the meatballs in the now hot slow-cooker and pour the sauce over the meatballs.
- Cover and cook on HIGH 3-4 hours or on LOW 4-6 hours or until meatballs are tender.
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
