Tangy Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe: Party Favorite

These mouthwatering slow cooker grape jelly meatballs will become your next weekend warrior’s secret weapon in the kitchen.

Juicy ground beef blends perfectly with sweet and tangy sauce ingredients.

Minimal prep work means maximum flavor without complicated techniques.

Classic comfort food gets a modern twist with this simple one-pot marvel.

Freezer-friendly and crowd-pleasing, these tender meatballs work magic for potlucks and game day gatherings.

Meat lovers and busy home cooks will appreciate how quickly this dish comes together.

Serve these irresistible bites and watch everyone ask for seconds.

Why You’ll Want Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs Again

• Dive into Flavor Fusion: Combining ground beef and pork creates a mouthwatering meat blend that delivers incredible depth and richness to every single bite.
• Simplify Cooking with Slow Cooker Magic: This recipe transforms meal preparation into a hands-off experience, allowing the slow cooker to work its culinary wonder while you relax or tackle other tasks.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Sensation: These sweet and tangy meatballs become an instant hit at gatherings, potlucks, and family celebrations, guaranteed to disappear quickly from the serving table.
• Master Versatile Dish Options: Enjoy these delectable meatballs as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or hearty main course, making them perfect for multiple meal scenarios and dining preferences.

What You’ll Need For Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

• Ground Beef: A flavorful and rich protein that provides a robust meaty foundation for the meatballs.
• Ground Pork: Adds extra moisture and depth to the meatball mixture, enhancing overall taste and texture.

• Onion: Brings a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth to the meatball mixture.
• Garlic: Provides a pungent and savory flavor that complements the meat.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meat mixture and creates a lighter, more tender meatball texture.
• Egg: Acts as a crucial binder to hold the meatball ingredients together.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the meat.

• Olive Oil: Used for browning the meatballs and creating a caramelized exterior.
• Grape Jelly: Adds a sweet and fruity base to the sauce.
• Barbecue Sauce: Contributes a tangy and smoky flavor to the glaze.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Provides depth and umami to the overall sauce profile.

Steps To Make Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

Step 1: Blend Meat Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef and ground pork. Mix the meats thoroughly to create a flavorful and tender base for your meatballs.

Step 2: Add Flavor Boosters

• Finely chopped onion
• Minced garlic
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Salt
• Black pepper

Gently fold the ingredients until evenly distributed, being careful not to overmix.

Step 3: Shape Perfect Meatballs

Roll the meat mixture into uniform balls, each about 1-1.5 inches in diameter. Ensure consistent size for even cooking.

Step 4: Brown Meatballs

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully brown the meatballs on all sides for 6-8 minutes, creating a delicious caramelized exterior.

Step 5: Prepare Tangy Sauce

• Grape jelly
• Barbecue sauce
• Worcestershire sauce

Blend until you have a glossy, mouth-watering coating.

Step 6: Combine Meatballs and Sauce

Gently transfer the browned meatballs into the slow cooker, ensuring they are completely covered by the sauce.

Step 7: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low setting for 3-4 hours. This allows the flavors to merge and the meatballs to become incredibly tender.

Step 8: Prevent Sticking

Stir the meatballs occasionally during cooking to distribute the sauce evenly and prevent them from sticking to the bottom.

Step 9: Final Sauce Development

By the end of cooking, the meatballs will be heated through and the sauce will have thickened into a luscious, sticky glaze.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the meatballs hot directly from the slow cooker. They work great as an appetizer or main course. Provide toothpicks for easy eating and sharing.

Smart Tips For Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

• Meat Mixture Magic: Combine ground beef and pork for a more complex, richer flavor profile that elevates the overall taste of your meatballs.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients softly to prevent tough meatballs, ensuring a light and tender texture that melts in your mouth.
• Size Matters: Keep meatballs uniformly sized (1-1.5 inches) to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the batch.
• Sauce Perfection: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to create a smooth, well-integrated glaze that coats each meatball evenly and adds maximum flavor.
• Low and Slow Cooking: Let meatballs simmer gently in the slow cooker to develop deep, rich flavors and achieve melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.

Tasty Spins On Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

• Lean Protein Swap: Replace ground beef and pork with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter, lower-fat version with similar texture and flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Friendly: Craft meatballs using plant-based alternatives like Beyond Meat crumbles, black beans, or lentils mixed with breadcrumbs and egg substitute for a meat-free option.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add red pepper flakes, sriracha sauce, or diced jalapeños to the meat mixture and swap barbecue sauce for a spicier Korean-style chili sauce to elevate heat levels.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour, crushed pork rinds, or gluten-free breadcrumbs to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining binding properties.

Good Sides For Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

• Select Bold Red Wine: Choose a zinfandel or malbec with robust fruit notes that match the sweet-savory sauce, cutting through the richness of the meatballs.
• Prepare Crisp Side Salad: Create a green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the heavy meat's richness, adding refreshing acidity that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Serve Crusty Bread: Offer warm, rustic bread to soak up the delicious grape jelly and barbecue sauce, providing a perfect vehicle for extra sauce and adding textural contrast.

How To Keep Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs Fresh

• Store cooled meatballs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring they're completely covered with sauce to maintain moisture.
• Place meatballs and sauce in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain quality.
• Transfer desired portion to a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread meatballs in a single layer in a baking dish.

FAQ For Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs

• Why use both ground beef and ground pork?

The combination provides a perfect balance of flavor and moisture. Ground beef offers robust taste while ground pork adds tenderness and richness to the meatballs.

• Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs a day in advance and refrigerate them before cooking. This allows flavors to develop and makes party preparation easier.

• How do I prevent meatballs from becoming dry?

Browning the meatballs first helps seal in moisture, and slow cooking in the sauce keeps them juicy and tender. The egg and breadcrumbs also help retain moisture during cooking.

Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes – 4 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Grape jelly meatballs simmer in a sweet and tangy sauce, creating an irresistible party favorite. Hearty beef blends perfectly with classic comfort flavors, promising a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup grape jelly
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine ground beef and ground pork, creating a harmonious meat blend that ensures rich flavor and tender texture.
2. Incorporate finely chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture, gently folding ingredients until evenly distributed without overmixing.
3. Shape the meat mixture into uniform, bite-sized meatballs, approximately 1-1.5 inches in diameter, ensuring consistent cooking.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, carefully brown meatballs on all sides for 6-8 minutes, developing a delectable caramelized exterior.
5. While meatballs are browning, whisk together grape jelly, barbecue sauce, and Worcestershire sauce in the slow cooker, creating a glossy, tangy coating.
6. Transfer browned meatballs into the slow cooker, gently nestling them into the sauce to ensure complete coverage.
7. Cover and cook on low setting for 3-4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and meatballs to become exceptionally tender and infused with sweet and savory sauce.
8. Occasionally stir meatballs during cooking to guarantee even sauce distribution and prevent sticking.
9. Once cooking is complete, meatballs will be heated through and sauce will have thickened, creating a luscious, sticky glaze.
10. Serve hot directly from the slow cooker, perfect as an appetizer or main course, with toothpicks for easy serving.

Notes

• Mix meat types carefully to balance fat content and create more complex flavor profile.
• Use fresh breadcrumbs instead of dried for lighter, more tender meatball texture.
• Choose high-quality grape jelly with minimal added sugars for better sauce consistency.
• Avoid overmixing meat to prevent dense, tough meatballs that can become rubbery during slow cooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3-4 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 454
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 682 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg