Delicious Grape Jelly Meatballs

You've likely tasted Grape Jelly Meatballs and loved them hoping to find the recipe so you could make them yourself. This is one of those recipes that is a perfect Appetizer but can also be served as a meal. It's even better that you can make it in an Instant Pot or Crock Pot too.

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Grape Jelly Meatball Recipe was inspired by Savory Experiments where I contribute photos and content.

It's quick and easy to cook these meatballs in the Instant Pot which makes them ideal for Game Day Snacks, Parties, or just because. It's also nice to let the meatballs cook in the Crock-Pot and simmer allowing all the flavors to come together.

Grape Jelly Meatball Recipe takes only a few ingredients. The sauce is fantastic and I love serving as a meal over white rice.

• Meatballs - I prefer to use Frozen Meatballs, appetizer size.
• Grape Jelly - I've always love Smuckers Grape Jelly
• Chili Sauce - You can substitute Ketchup or even BBQ Sauce but I prefer Chili Sauce

What is Chili Sauce?

Heinz Chili Sauce comes in a 12oz bottle and is made with vine ripe tomatoes, seasonings, and garlic to create a delicious natural flavor.

I also use Chili Sauce when making Dutch Oven Baked Beans or Instant Pot Beans and love the flavor combinations. And who doesn't love a good pot of baked beans!

Making Grape Jelly Meatballs

This recipe is simple enough, but let me give you few tips just to help you along.

Mixing the Sauce is done by combining Grape Jelly with Heinz Chili Sauce. I like to stir the jelly before adding the chili sauce. This helps to break it down. Once combined with the Chili Sauce the mixture will appear lumpy. Don't worry! The grape jelly will melt into the sauce as it heats up.

Instant Pot Directions

• Add Frozen Meatballs to Instant Pot liner with 1 ½ cup water or Beef Broth. Set pressure cooker for Zero (0) minutes by pressing the +/- buttons to reach Zero (0).
• Cooking for Zero minutes can sound strange but remember the ingredients will begin cooking as soon as the time is set. The lower element will begin heating up to boil the liquid to create steam. The steam will create pressure and seal the pressure cooker closed.
• Once the Instant Pot has reached pressure the button will sound let you know the timer has begun. Then another alarm will sound letting you know the cooking process is complete.
• This is the perfect amount of time to pressure cook meatballs.
• While the meatballs are cooking, in a separate bowl combine Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce or BBQ Sauce and stir to combine.
• When Meatballs are done cooking, drain off liquid.
• Add sauce to hot meatballs and stir. You can set Instant Pot to Saute to help thicken sauce and create a nice smooth sauce consistency.
• Serve with Toothpicks as an appetizer recipe or over rice for a meal

Crock Pot Directions

• In a small bowl combine Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce and stir to combine. The mixture will be lumpy. Add Frozen meatballs to crockpot and pour sauce on top.
• Stir meatballs with sauce to coat frozen meatballs.
• Set Crock-Pot on High for 1 hour or on Low for 2-3 hours
• Serve over Rice or with toothpicks for an appetizer.

How to store Grape Jelly Meatballs

Meatballs are able to be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days after cooking them. In the freezer, meatballs are able to be stored for up to 2 months. 

Fun Facts: 

• According to The Guinness Book of World Records, the largest meatball ever weighs in at a whopping 1,100 pounds.
• It is still unknown where meatballs originate from.

Italian meatballs are different from the meatballs in the American cuisine

• BLT Dip (Bacon Lettuce Tomato Dip)
• Fresh Fig Muffins
• Air Fryer Breaded Pork Chops
• Fresh Fig Salsa
• Air Fryer Toast

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5 from 4 votes

Grape Jelly Meatballs

Sweet and Zesty, Grape Jelly Meatballs are a delicious Appetizer Recipe or serve over rice for a fantastic meal

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time1 minute min

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 lb Frozen Meatballs - About 64 Appetizer size meatballs
• 12 oz Grape Jelly - Smuckers
• 12 oz Chili Sauce

Instructions

Instant Pot Recipe

• Add Frozen Meatballs to Instant Pot liner with 1 ½ cup water or Beef Broth.
• Set pressure cooker for Zero (0) minutes by pressing the +/- buttons to reach Zero (0).
• While the meatballs are cooking, in a separate bowl combine Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce or BBQ Sauce and stir to combine.
• When Meatballs are done cooking, drain off liquid and pour sauce over meatballs

Crock Pot / Slow Cooker

• In a small bowl combine Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce and stir to combine. The mixture will be lumpy.
• Add Frozen meatballs to crockpot and pour sauce on top.
• Stir meatballs with sauce to coat frozen meatballs.Set Crock-Pot on High for 1 hour or on Low for 2-3 hoursServe over Rice or with toothpicks for an appetizer.

Notes

Instant Pot Cooking:

Cooking for Zero minutes can sound strange but remember the ingredients will begin cooking as soon as the time is set. The lower element will begin heating up to boil the liquid to create steam. The steam will create pressure and seal the pressure cooker closed.Once the Instant Pot has reached pressure the button will sound let you know the timer has begun. Then another alarm will sound letting you know the cooking process is complete.This is the perfect amount of time to pressure cook meatballs

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Nutrition Disclaimer

All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 583mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 289IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg