These easy crockpot meatballs make the perfect appetizer for parties, game day gatherings, or potlucks. Plus, if you serve them over rice, they make a great weeknight family dinner that even picky eaters love!
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I’ve recently been sharing some of my favorite frozen meatball recipes as they are perfect for a no-fuss family dinner on busy weeknights. Especially when paired with rice, noodles, or over potatoes for a hearty meal that pleases everyone (even picky eaters!)
Plus, they are not only ideal for quick dinners, but they also make the perfect party snack for entertaining. These crockpot appetizers with grape jelly and BBQ sauce are an easy, hands-off, dump-and-go recipe that is guaranteed to impress at your potluck, party, or game day gathering.
Just toss everything into your crockpot and let it do all the work, and in a few hours, you have delicious saucy meatballs ready for dinner with the family or a last-minute gathering with friends.
Why You Will Love These Easy Crockpot Meatballs
- Super Easy recipe, as the slow cooker does all the work, so you can enjoy a no-fuss appetizer that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.
- Sweet & Tangy, with simple ingredients like grape jelly and barbecue sauce, everyone loves this tasty party snack.
- Customizable, because you can add in your favorite flavor of barbecue sauce, or add in some onions, pineapples, or hot sauce if you want a little more spice.
- Meal Prep Friendly, as you can make a large batch for the week for lunch and serve it over rice.
- Kid-Approved, with a sweet sauce, these meatballs are great for kids to enjoy, even picky eaters.
- Perfect for parties or weeknight dinners, as they make the perfect no-stress appetizer for large gatherings, or to serve over rice for a family dinner idea.
Looking for more easy crockpot recipes?
- 25 Easy Crockpot Appetizers
- 18 Best Crockpot Dip Recipes
- 30 Easy Game Day Crockpot Recipes
- 42 Kid-Approved Crockpot Dinners
- 30 Days of Dump and Go, Crockpot Meals
Crockpot Meatballs
Ingredients for Crockpot Meatballs
These easy crockpot meatballs with barbecue sauce and grape jelly are perfect for parties, game day, or a quick weeknight meal that your whole family will love.
You will need:
- frozen meatballs
- grape jelly
- barbecue sauce (your choice)
- Worcestershire sauce
- garlic powder
How to Make Crockpot Meatballs
- Place your frozen meatballs in the crockpot.
- Pour the grape jelly and barbecue sauce over the meatballs, add your Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder, and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2½ hours.
- Stir once halfway through cooking to ensure an even coating, especially if cooking on high.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, you can turn the slow cooker to warm until you are ready to enjoy them.
Variations:
- If you want these meatballs with a little more spice, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Try replacing the grape jelly with apricot or orange marmalade.
- Add in some veggies like diced onions and bell peppers, or some pineapples for some more sweetness.
Helpful Tips:
- You don’t have to thaw the meatballs. Adding them to your slow cooker when they are frozen prevents them from overcooking.
- Stir occasionally if you are cooking the meatballs on high so that you can make sure they are coated in sauce.
- If the sauce is too thin, you can mix 1 tsp of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and stir in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Storage:
- Store your cooled meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. They can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through.
Easy Crockpot Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 32 ounce bag frozen meatballs fully cooked
- 1 18 ounce jar grape jelly
- 1 18 ounce bottle barbecue sauce
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Place your frozen meatballs in the crockpot.
- Pour the grape jelly and barbecue sauce over the meatballs, add your Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder, and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2½ hours.
- Stir once halfway through cooking to ensure an even coating, especially if cooking on high.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, you can turn the slow cooker to warm until you are ready to enjoy them.
Notes
Variations:
- If you want these meatballs with a little more spice, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Try replacing the grape jelly with apricot or orange marmalade.
- Add in some veggies like diced onions and bell peppers, or some pineapples for some more sweetness.
Helpful Tips:
- You don't have to thaw the meatballs. Adding them to your slow cooker when they are frozen prevents them from overcooking.
- Stir occasionally if you are cooking the meatballs on high so that you can make sure they are coated in sauce.
- If the sauce is too thin, you can mix 1 tsp of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and stir in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Storage:
- Store your cooled meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. They can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through.
Looking for more ways to use frozen meatballs?
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