One of the easiest and tastiest meatball recipes you’ll ever try! These crockpot meatballs are full of so much flavor, and perfect for parties. Best of all, they only require 5 minutes of prep work!
Meatballs make the perfect appetizer for parties, showers, and large gatherings! If you like this recipe, 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 Years 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 HERE.
My husband is especially fond of the recipe and has requested it a few times since that New Years get together, and I’m glad he does because they are so good! We have really tried to be better about picking easy and delicious recipes when we are entertaining because we know so much work goes into prepping for an event – cleaning, cooking, etc.
We think these are the best 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! ;D
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 weird with meatballs, but the combination of it 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. 🙂 Here is what you’ll need to do to make this crockpot meatball recipe.
- 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.
- Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours.
And that’s it! AMAZING, right?!
slow cooker meatball Flavor variations
There are so many ways to change up these slow cooker meatballs, but here are a few ways to do it:
- a dab of mustard and a dash of liquid smoke
- Replace meatballs with little smokies
- Add cayenne for a little heat
Tips and FAQ for slow cooker meatballs
Do you have to use red currant jelly for this recipe? No, you can use grape jelly or apple jelly. 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 store meatballs? 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.
How do I reheat meatballs? 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.
Here are some more meatball recipes we love:
- Barbecue Pineapple Meatballs
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Asian Meatballs
- Swedish Meatballs
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Meatball Bombs
Crockpot Meatball Recipe
Ingredients
- 28-32 oz bag frozen meatballs
- 1 c brown sugar
- 1 c chili sauce
- 10 oz jar red currant jelly (can also use grape or huckleberry jelly)
- 14 oz bottle ketchup
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1 1/2 c cold water
- 2 lemons, juice of
Instructions
- 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.
- Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours. ENJOY!
If I were using the little Smokies instead of the meatballs, like in your suggested variations, how many packs would I use and keep the ingredients the same?
I would use as packs that make it close to the 28 ounces. Really no wrong answer 🙂 Hope you like them!
Love these!!
I love crockpot meatballs! The best appetizer for any occasion, and so easy too!
These are so easy to make and they taste so good! They have become our favorite appetizer!
Love these meatballs!! They’ll definitely be a part of my Christmas eve spread this year!
These last maybe 10 minutes in my house!!
Could I do little smokies and meatballs in the same crockpot? Or would you recommend not combining them?
Some family members may prefer one over the other and wasn’t sure if I needed to prepare to separate crock pots? Thanks.
You could probably combine them. I haven’t ever tried, but they are essentially just heating up in the sauce together. So, I’d say whatever you prefer. Keeping them separate may be easier for serving, but if you don’t have two crockpots, then combining may be a fine option too.
Can’t wait to try!
These are my daughters favorite! I love how easy it easy to throw t all in the crockpot and forget about it until we’re ready to eat!
Amazing
Used these for a lunch with my family and they were super good!
So easy and yummy!!!!
These are always a party hit
I only wish you had a place on your recipes to EMAIL to myself or a friend. Otherwise I always have to cut and paste which is a little annoying.
Thanks for the feedback!
Made these for bunco night in my neighborhood! Didn’t last very long because they are delicious!
I made these just last night for a holiday gift exchange get together and they were delicious! Not a single meatball was left standing!! I look forward to trying out other recipes from Lil Luna!
Yay!! So glad to hear that. Hope you enjoy the other recipes too!
There is another website called “Mandy in the making” and she used jellied cranberry sauce with a bit of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce. It is divine and not as sweet as grape jelly!