Life gets busy, especially for moms juggling work, kids, and household responsibilities. If you’re looking for a simple yet delicious dish that everyone will love, these grape jelly meatballs are a fantastic choice. They require minimal prep, are super easy to make, and work great as an appetizer or a meal. Trust us, your family will be asking for seconds!
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe shines because it fits perfectly into a hectic lifestyle. It takes just a few ingredients and minimal cooking time to bring a delightful dish to the table. The sweet and tangy flavors of grape jelly and barbecue sauce appeal to kids, while the tender meatballs satisfy adults too. Whether you serve them at a party or as a weeknight dinner, they are sure to be a hit.
How to Make Grape Jelly Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 egg
- 1 cup grape jelly
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. Form mixture into meatballs.
- In a slow cooker, mix grape jelly and barbecue sauce until well blended.
- Add the meatballs to the slow cooker and coat with the sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or until meatballs are cooked through and tender.
- Serve warm as an appetizer.
Grape Jelly Meatballs
A simple yet delicious dish of grape jelly meatballs perfect for busy families. These sweet and tangy meatballs make a great appetizer or main dish.
- Total Time: 255 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 egg
- 1 cup grape jelly
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. Form mixture into meatballs.
- In a slow cooker, mix grape jelly and barbecue sauce until well blended.
- Add the meatballs to the slow cooker and coat with the sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 240-360 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through and tender.
- Serve warm as an appetizer.
Notes
These meatballs can be served with toothpicks or alongside rice, pasta, or a fresh salad. They store well in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
How to Serve Grape Jelly Meatballs
These meatballs shine as a party appetizer but can also be enjoyed as a main dish. Serve them with toothpicks for easy snacking or alongside rice, pasta, or a fresh salad for a balanced meal. Pair with veggies or a simple potato dish to round out your family dinner.
How to Store
You can store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, simply warm them in the microwave or pop them back in the slow cooker with a little extra barbecue sauce. They also freeze well—just ensure they are well-sealed to maintain flavor and texture.
Tips and Variations
- Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
- Consider using ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Add additional ingredients like minced garlic or chopped bell peppers to up the flavor.
- For a twist, try different flavors of barbecue sauce for a unique taste experience.
FAQs
Can I use frozen meatballs instead of making my own?
Yes, frozen meatballs work well! Just add them to the slow cooker with the sauce and adjust cooking time as needed.
What sides go well with grape jelly meatballs?
They pair beautifully with rice, potatoes, or a simple green salad for a balanced meal.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs and sauce a day ahead and refrigerate them. Then, just cook them in the slow cooker when you are ready to serve.
Conclusion
These grape jelly meatballs are an easy and delicious recipe that will bring smiles to your family’s faces. With minimal prep, they make weeknight dinners more enjoyable, or they can shine at your next gathering. Give them a try and be sure to save the recipe for later—it’s one you will want to make again and again!
Loved this recipe? Follow me on Pinterest for more comforting dishes and easy weeknight favorites you’ll want to save.
