Candy and tangy grape jelly meatballs are a traditional social gathering appetizer and so EASY to make! Put together these sticky cocktail meatballs within the crock pot with simply 3 components.
These sluggish cooker grape jelly meatballs are good for the vacations and past. Serve them with less difficult appetizers like smoked salmon dip, baked brie, and roasted chestnuts!
There’s one thing about cocktail meatballs that at all times jogs my memory of the vacations. Most likely as a result of that’s when I’ve my crock pot out 24/7, and juicy, sticky-sweet grape jelly meatballs are a staple in any respect of our Thanksgiving and Christmas events. This recipe wants simply 3 components, so it’s a cinch to make. I can virtually scent these meatballs with grape jelly simmering within the sluggish cooker already!
What Makes Grape Jelly Meatballs So Good?
- 3 components. I take advantage of frozen meatballs, grape jelly, and ketchup, and it makes the BEST sticky, flavorful, and addictive meatball appetizer ever. It’s additionally simple to mess around with ingredient swaps and seasonings if it’s essential.
- Get together-ready. I make this recipe within the crock pot. Not solely do crock pot grape jelly meatballs depart my palms free throughout events and holidays, but it surely additionally implies that I could make an enormous batch. They’re the final word crowd-pleaser and it’s tremendous simple.
- Moist and filled with taste. Generally one of the best flavors come from easy components (see level #1). These juicy grape jelly meatballs are the proper steadiness of candy and tangy. Cooking them low and sluggish offers the meatballs loads of time to take in all that taste.
Substances You’ll Want
You want solely three components to make this simple grape jelly meatballs recipe in your crock pot, plus some further seasoning. I like to make use of garlic powder. Should you don’t have it, be at liberty to go away it out or use an equal quantity of onion powder instead.
Take a look at some extra ingredient notes right here, and scroll all the way down to the recipe card for a printable checklist with the total recipe particulars.
- Ketchup – Ketchup has a tangy savoriness that balances out the sweetness of the jelly. You could possibly additionally use barbecue sauce. An alternative choice is tomato paste. On this case, I like to recommend including a splash of apple cider vinegar for tang (to style).
- Grape Jelly – The traditional alternative for grape jelly meatballs, clearly. That being stated, there are substitutes (see under).
- Meatballs – This sluggish cooker recipe works finest with frozen meatballs. These could be store-bought pork, hen, or beef, it’s as much as you! I’ve additionally made this recipe with batches of home made pork meatballs and turkey meatballs I stashed within the freezer.
What Can I Substitute for Grape Jelly?
If wanted, you’ll be able to exchange the grape jelly on this recipe with one other sort of jelly or preserves. Good substitutes are raspberry jelly, cranberry sauce, apricot preserves, marmalade, and sizzling pepper jelly.
Find out how to Make Crock Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
The great thing about this simple appetizer recipe is that you just mainly dump every part within the crock pot or sluggish cooker and hit “go”! Right here’s what you’ll be able to count on.
- Load the crock pot. First, whisk the jelly with ketchup and garlic powder. Add the sauce and meatballs to the sluggish cooker and stir to coat.
- Cook dinner! Set the meatballs to cook dinner on Excessive for 4 hours. Should you can, stir them each hour or so all through the cooking time.
- Serve. Scoop the meatballs onto a platter subsequent to toothpicks or skewers for serving. Generally, I’ll change the crock pot to Heat and serve them proper from the pot!
Recipe Suggestions
- Make the meatballs forward of time. If I do know I’ll be making these for a vacation social gathering, slightly than shopping for store-bought meatballs, I’ll make just a few batches of oven-baked meatballs or air fryer meatballs and retailer them within the freezer. This fashion they’re able to go, and made with love!
- Give it some kick. Substitute the ketchup with candy chili sauce to carry a touch of warmth to those jelly meatballs. You could possibly additionally go half and half. Alternatively, should you don’t need spicy meatballs, be certain that to purchase gentle chili sauce.
- Vegetarian. Purchase frozen meatless meatballs, or use this simple vegetarian meatballs recipe and freeze them beforehand.
- Completely different sauce. If grape jelly isn’t your factor, you’ll be able to adapt this recipe with one other sauce. Attempt cooking the meatballs in home made barbecue sauce or make teriyaki meatballs as a substitute.
What to Serve With Cocktail Meatballs
Grape jelly meatballs are nearly as synonymous with the vacations as a roast turkey and cranberry sauce round right here! Their taste and dimension make them completely snackable. I often sprinkle the meatballs with chopped parsley and serve them as a celebration app with cocktail skewers. They go nice with a welcome drink, like eggnog or a sizzling spiked apple cider.
Pair these meatballs with extra festive finger meals like bacon and chives cheese balls, this flaky pastry wreath, and home made pierogi.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Meatballs
- Refrigerate. We hardly ever have leftovers, however after we do, I’ll refrigerate the meatballs and any leftover sauce in an hermetic container. They’ll final for 3-4 days within the fridge.
- Reheat. I like to recommend reheating grape jelly meatballs on a lined baking sheet within the oven, or you need to use the range or microwave.
- Freeze. Grape jelly meatballs could be sealed in a container or freezer bag and frozen for as much as 3 months. Thaw them within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Extra Straightforward Appetizer Recipes
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Load the crock pot. Whisk collectively the ketchup, jelly, and garlic powder. Add the meatballs to the crockpot and pour the jelly combination over them. Stir to coat the meatballs totally.
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Cook dinner. Cowl the crockpot and cook dinner on excessive for 4 hours, stirring each hour or so should you can.
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Serve. Serve the cocktail meatballs heat skewered with toothpicks as a enjoyable social gathering appetizer.
Energy: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 9g | Fats: 11g | Saturated Fats: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 5g | Ldl cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
Dietary data is an estimate and supplied as courtesy. Values might differ in line with the components and instruments used. Please use your most well-liked dietary calculator for extra detailed data.