These Grape Jelly Meatballs are the easiest weeknight dinner or party appetizer! With just 4 simple ingredients, no thawing, and 25 minutes, you’ll have a sweet and savory dish everyone loves!
Make these other easy appetizers for your next party: Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip, Bacon Wrapped Smokies and Pizza Toast!
If you need a last-minute crowd-pleasing appetizer that disappears fast, these tangy Grape Jelly Meatballs are it. You dump, stir, and simmer. That’s it!
The sauce is a mix of sweet grape jelly, chili sauce, and barbecue sauce that’s sweet, tangy, and just the right amount of smoky. It clings to every bite of tender meatball and is so addicting!
These meatballs are great for parties, game days, or busy nights when you just don’t want to cook. You also have a slow cooker option if you don’t feel like standing over the stovetop.
Serve them as a classic party appetizer with toothpicks for a crowd or with some Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes or Air Fryer Frozen French Fries for a quick dinner!
Grape Jelly Meatballs Ingredients:
- Grape jelly: This is the sweet and sticky base of the sauce! Use your favorite brand.
- Chili sauce: Adds tang and depth. Don’t worry, it’s not spicy! Ketchup can work in a pinch, but chili sauce adds more tang.
- Barbecue sauce: Smoky and savory, this gives the sauce more body. Use your favorite brand!
- Frozen meatballs: Use fully cooked, straight from the freezer. You can use homemade meatballs or store-bought meatballs. Beef is classic, but chicken, plant-based, or turkey meatballs also work!
How to make Grape Jelly Chili Sauce Meatballs:
These meatballs are the easiest, crowd-pleasing appetizer ever! Make sure to check the recipe card for the full recipe.
- Combine grape jelly, chili sauce, and barbecue sauce in a deep skillet.
- Stir the meatballs into the sauce until coated and warm through.
Tips for foolproof meatballs:
- Keep stirring: To prevent sticking or uneven cooking, give them a quick stir every few minutes.
- Taste and tweak: If you want it sweeter, add a little more jelly. For more tang, increase the chili sauce.
How to store Grape Jelly Meatballs:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat on the stove over medium-low or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much.
You can also freeze them in sauce for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.
Serving suggestions:
Serve these other appetizers on the side for the perfect party line-up!
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders – melty, cheesy, and a little spicy
- Homemade Rotel Dip – cheesy and beefy
- Cream Cheese Fruit Dip – rich and tangy
- Crockpot Little Smokies – dump-and-go favorite
To make them a meal, serve over Instant Pot Jasmine Rice, Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe, or Buttered Noodles!
4 Ingredient Grape Jelly Meatballs
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 cup grape jelly
- ½ cup chili sauce
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 1½ pounds fully cooked frozen beef meatballs, (homemade or store bought) do not thaw
Instructions
- Whisk together grape jelly, chili sauce and barbecue sauce in a large deep skillet.
- Add the meatballs and stir. Cover and cook on medium heat, stirring often, until heated through, about 15-20 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve.
Video
Notes
- Grape jelly: you can swap the grape for orange or apricot if that’s what you have on hand.
- Chili sauce and barbecue sauce: you can increase, decrease, or omit either of these sauces according to your tastes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Tag @thereciperebelVariations and Substitutions
- Go spicy: Stir in sriracha, cayenne, or hot honey.
- Extra smoky: Use a hickory-style BBQ sauce for a deeper flavor.
Make-ahead option:
These meatballs are perfect for prepping ahead! Combine the sauce ingredients in a jar up to 3 days in advance, then pour over meatballs when ready to cook.
Or, cook the full recipe, refrigerate, and reheat when it’s party time.
How do I keep these warm for a party?
A slow cooker on the warm setting is the best option. Stir every so often to keep the sauce from sticking.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely. Just use a larger skillet or slow cooker so everything heats evenly.
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