Crockpot Meatballs

Sweet + savory Crockpot Meatballs are packed with flavor, and perfect for parties. They are SO easy, yet SO tasty!

Meatballs make the perfect appetizer for parties, showers, and large gatherings! If you like these Crockpot Meatballs, you’ll love these other flavors: Grape Jelly Meatballs, Sweet and Sour Meatballs, and Buffalo Chicken Meatballs.

best crockpot meatballs – perfect for parties

Who here loves MEATBALLS?

We recently had some at a New Year’s party that smelled so stinkin’ delicious I knew I had to give them a try. I did… and I fell in love with these Crockpot Meatballs! I got the recipe and have made it several times since.

Frozen meatballs work perfectly for this, but if you want to try homemade meatballs, you can try our recipe our recipe (it’s no-fail!)

We think these are the best appetizers because they get rave reviews and they are so easy to throw together! Two thumbs up for simple and quick, especially when you’re running around getting ready for a party!

Simple Ingredients

One of the main ingredients for these slow cooker meatballs is JELLY. We used a red currant jelly, but other jellies work well too. The other ingredients needed for this recipe, include:

• ketchup
• chili sauce
• lemon juice
• brown sugar
• water
• ginger

You may think jelly would be odd with meatballs, but the combination along with the above ingredients and meatballs, is more savory than sweet and oh-so delicious!

How to Make Crockpot MeatballS

The best part of this recipe you literally dump everything in the crock pot and let it cook. It only takes 5 minutes of work! I’m all about the dump and go recipes.

COMBINE. Place brown sugar, chili sauce, jelly, ketchup, ginger, cold water and lemon juice in your crock pot. Add frozen meatballs and stir so meatballs are coated in sauce.

HEAT + ENJOY! Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours.

And that’s it! AMAZING, right?!

Flavor variations

There are so many ways to change up these slow cooker meatballs, but here are a few ways to do it:

• Add a dab of mustard and a dash of liquid smoke
• Replace meatballs with little smokies
• Use pork, chicken or turkey meatballs
• Add cayenne or red pepper flakes for a little heat

Recipe Tips

Alternative jellies. Use grape jelly or apple jelly instead. The red currant jelly isn’t always available at the stores, but if you can find it, it’s the one we like most for this recipe.

How to make this with raw meatballs: For this recipe I used a package of precooked frozen ground beef meatballs, but using raw meatballs is also an option. You can either pick up a package or pre-made raw meatballs from the meat department of the grocery store, or whip up your own.

All you need is meat, eggs, breadcrumbs & milk for binder, and seasonings like parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, and onion. If you don’t already have a favorite recipe we have an Easy Meatball Recipe and a Turkey Meatball Recipe you can use.  

• To keep raw meatballs from falling apart you can lightly brown the meatballs in a skillet with a little olive oil before adding them to the crockpot. This not only adds great flavors but will form a nice crust which holds the meatballs together.
• Using leaner meat will also help keep the meatballs from falling apart. 
• Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH heat for 3-4 hours.

storing info

STORE. If you happen to leftovers, allow the meatballs to cool and store in an airtight  container. They’ll keep in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.

To REHEAT. The easiest way is in the microwave. However, the oven works well and keeps the flavor and texture. Bake at 350 degree F for 8-10 min.

more meatball recipes we love:

• Barbecue Pineapple Meatballs
• Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
• Asian Meatballs
• Swedish Meatballs
• Sweet and Sour Meatballs
• Meatball Bombs