This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Sweet + savory BBQ meatballs are saucy and delicious with a bit of tanginess. With only 5 minutes of prep, they are a breeze to make!
They’re equally as favored as Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Grape Jelly Meatballs, and Asian Meatballs.
We Love an Easy Appetizer!
These BBQ meatballs are paired with a sweet and savory variation that gets its zippy flavor from the combination of BBQ sauce and grape jelly.
If I’m serving this as an appetizer, I either leave them in the crockpot and set a spoon out or if I’m being fancy, I plate them with toothpicks sticking out.
Why we love them:
- Any time. These crockpot BBQ meatballs are an easy appetizer or simple meal.
- Easy. We make it super easy by using frozen meatballs, homemade meatballs can be used if you want to go the extra mile.
- Make it a meal. For a main dish, I serve it with a side of White Rice. Either way, these are yummy!!
Ingredients
- frozen meatballs – I used precooked frozen meatballs for ease, or you can easily use Homemade Meatballs using lean ground beef and ground pork. Cook before adding them to the crock pot or the meatballs will just fall apart. Turkey Meatballs and Porcupine Meatballs would also work.
- grape jelly – I have had success using both name-brand and generic jelly. Just use your favorite.
- BBQ sauce – Sweet Baby Rays is one of my favorite brands. Use your favorite sauce or even make Homemade BBQ Sauce.
- sweet chili sauce
- orange zest – Use this How to Zest a Lemon post for tips.
- salt and pepper – to taste (if needed)
How to Make Crock Pot BBQ Meatballs
- SAUCE. Add the grape jelly, BBQ sauce, sweet chili sauce, and orange zest to a bowl and mix well.
- COMBINE. Add the meatballs to a greased slow cooker and pour barbecue sauce over the top. Stir to coat.
- COOK. Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours.
Garnish with green onions, if desired.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Homemade meatballs. Cook homemade meatballs on the stovetop or in the oven before adding them to a crockpot with barbecue sauce. Reduce the time spent in the crockpot if the meatballs are cooked but not frozen.
Oven/stovetop. After forming balls with your meat mixture, bake on a foil-lined baking sheet in the oven for about 20 minutes at 350°F. Add the cooked meatballs to a skillet with the BBQ sauce and simmer for 3-5 minutes, making sure the meatballs are well coated in the sauce.
- With cooked meatballs, add the jelly, BBQ sauce, chili sauce, and zest in a large pot. Heat over medium-high heat and stir until bubbly. Stir in the meatballs and reduce the heat. Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until meatballs are completely warm throughout.
Recipe Tips
- Variations.
- Use flavored BBQ sauce like smoked BBQ or Honey BBQ.
- Replace grape jelly with other flavors like currant jelly or apple jelly
- Replace meatballs with an equivalent amount of little smokies.
- Serving suggestions. Eat them on their own for party appetizers or pair them with other foods. They taste great on top of Mashed Potatoes, rice, or make a meatball sub sandwich.
- Storage tips. Whether making these ahead of time or storing leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw if needed and reheat in the microwave, in a saucepan on the stovetop, or in a slow cooker.
For More BBQ Recipes:
BBQ Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (40-ounce) bag frozen meatballs fully cooked
- 1 (10-ounce) jar grape jelly
- 2½ cups BBQ sauce
- 1 cup sweet chili sauce
- orange zest (from one orange)
Instructions
- Add the grape jelly, BBQ sauce, sweet chili sauce and orange zest to a bowl and mix well.
- Add the meatballs to a greased slow cooker and pour over sauce. Stir to coat.
- Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours.
Notes
- Use flavored BBQ sauce like smoked BBQ or Honey BBQ.
- Replace grape jelly with other flavors like currant jelly or apple jelly
- Replace meatballs with an equivalent amount of little smokies.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Has anyone every tried this with a spicy jelly? I’m looking to add a little spice to take away some of the sweetness.
I haven’t, but I bet it would be delicious still! You’ll have to let us know how it tastes if you use a spicy jelly.
These are the easiest meatballs! And love the flavor of these! Super delicious! Perfect for parties & brunches!
SO GOOD. We love this as an appetizer, but sometimes we’ll have it for dinner served over rice – it’s a fave in our house!
I love a good easy recipe. This was great, thank you.
You’re so welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I recently came across your homemade BBQ recipe and I’m in the hunt to use it in other recipes. I love grape jelly meatballs and this is the perfect recipe for it.
An easy meal or appetizer that goes into the crockpot with easy ingredients.
You should see my kids shoving these in their mouth!! They are a huge hit with my family. They are great when entertaining!