Crockpot Meatballs are one of those set-it-and-forget-it party appetizers that everyone loves. They’re simple, delicious and made with minimal prep!
Toss frozen meatballs into a sweet and tangy slow cooker sauce, and a few hours later you have the easiest appetizer that disappears fast.
The sauce is the real magic here, ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, jelly, and fresh lemon juice simmer into a sticky, glossy glaze that clings to every meatball. They are perfect for game day, holidays, potlucks, or an easy dinner over rice.
If you like these Crockpot Meatballs, you’ll love these other flavors: Grape Jelly Meatballs, Sweet and Sour Meatballs, and Buffalo Chicken Meatballs.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- So simple. It uses frozen meatballs, so prep is basically done for you.
- Party Perfect. It is perfect for hosting because the slow cooker keeps everything warm for serving.
- Feeds a crowd. It makes a big batch on a budget and feeds a crowd easily.
- Versatile. You can serve it as an appetizer or turn it into an easy dinner with rice, mashed potatoes, or rolls.
Crock Pot Meatball Ingredients
- Ketchup (1 (14-ounce) bottle): Creates the tomato-y base of the sauce and adds sweetness and tang that cooks down into a glaze.
- Cold water (1½ cups): Thins the sauce so it can simmer smoothly and coat the meatballs evenly as they heat.
- Packed brown sugar (1 cup): Adds deep sweetness and helps the sauce turn thick and sticky.
- Chili sauce (1 cup): Brings a little spice and vinegar tang that balances the sweetness and makes the flavor pop.
- Red currant jelly, or grape or huckleberry jelly (1 cup): Adds sweetness and a glossy texture, and it helps the sauce thicken into that classic meatball glaze. 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.
- Juice of 2 lemons (juice of 2 lemons): Brightens the sauce and keeps it from tasting too heavy or overly sweet.
- Ground ginger (½ teaspoon): Adds a warm, subtle spice that makes the sauce taste more layered and interesting.
- Frozen meatballs (1 (32-ounce) bag): Keeps this recipe incredibly easy, and the meatballs soak up the sauce as they cook.
How to Make Crockpot Meatballs
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.
How to Make with Raw Meatballs
Want to use raw meatballs instead of frozen? You can, you just need to cook them through before serving. I recommend browning the meatballs in a skillet first to lock in flavor and help them hold their shape. Then add the browned meatballs to the slow cooker sauce and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours (or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours), until the meatballs reach 165°F in the center.
If you don’t already have a favorite recipe we have an Easy Meatball Recipe and a Turkey Meatball Recipe you can use.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Whisk the sauce ingredients together well before adding the meatballs so the jelly melts in evenly.
- Stir once or twice during cooking if you can, it helps every meatball get coated in that thick glaze.
- If you like a thicker sauce, crack the lid for the last 30 minutes on high so it reduces a bit more.
- Flavor Variations:
- Add a dab of mustard and a dash of liquid smokeReplace meatballs with little smokies
- Use pork, chicken or turkey meatballs
- Add cayenne or red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Crock Pot Meatballs Recipe
Equipment
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (14-ounce) bottle ketchup
- 1½ cups cold water
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup chili sauce
- 1 cup red currant jelly, or grape or huckleberry jelly
- juice of 2 lemons
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen meatballs
Instructions
- Combine ketchup, cold water, brown sugar, chili sauce, jelly, lemon juice, and ginger in your slow cooker. Add frozen meatballs and stir so meatballs are coated in sauce.
- Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6–8 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
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.
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.
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This recipe was first shared May, 2017.
Hello Krysten, I have been following you for a while now, I am Canadian but living in Dubai. Many of the American products are not available here. As for the chili sauce (that would be Heinz for me), I just can’t find the equivalent. There is a spicy ketchup or garlic ketchup. Do you have any suggestions for replacement options?
If you can’t find the exact chili sauce the recipe calls for, here is a good substitution options you can try in Dubai:
Mix 1 cup ketchup + 1 tbsp vinegar + 1 tbsp brown sugar + ½ tsp chili powder. This mimics the sweet-tangy flavor of chili sauce.
This recipe is a repeatable show stopper. Making homemade meatballs using gluten free panko is a thoughtful touch when serving guests with dietary restrictions. Sugar free substitutions for the liquid ingredients are available in the markets. So far, I haven’t found a good substitute for brown sugar. Thanks again for this great appetizer recipe.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Using gluten free panko is such a thoughtful idea, and thank you for sharing your tips about substitutions. I love hearing how you’ve adapted it for your guests!
These sound delicious! What kind of chile sauce would you recommend? I live in NM, so we would definitely like the added heat! Thanks!
This recipe was the highlight of our New Year’s Eve gathering. I have made it before with just the jelly and chili sauce adding the ketchup, ginger and lemon really added to it. Thanks for sharing and I have shared this recipe with the group from New Year’s Eve!
These are so easy and so very good!!!
Can you use fresh grated ginger?
delicious, thanks
How big of a crockpot for this? I have a trio crockpot and want to do meatballs in each one. Not sure how to convert the recipe. They’re 1.5qt each.
Lots of your recipes sound really good but so many ads popping up I can’t keep my focus!
Can you double this recipe and still have it cook well in the crockpot? Do you know if the meatballs have to be fully merged in sauce?
What can I use to substitute chili sauce
You could try a sriracha sauce or a spicy ketchup. You could try a salsa or even ketchup with a bit of cayenne pepper. If you don’t like spice, I’d suggest just ketchup.
My husband had 3rds and couldn’t stop saying,”These are REALLY good!”.
Simply love these!
Do you know of any other brands of chili sauce that aren’t Heinz? I need a GF product and they can’t confirm that theirs don’t contain traces of gluten.
I think that Kikkoman may have one? There might be a generic brand at your local grocery store too. I’m sure if you google gluten free chili sauce some options will come up. Possibly even a homemade recipe if need be.
This is one of my sons favorite holiday foods!
Everyone loves these meatballs. Perfect for a party!
Made this tonight (with lots of extra guests over) and people raved about it! I asked for honest rating and by large margin most voted 5 stars! Big hit, super easy super yummy.
Oh that makes me so happy to hear!! Thank you for sharing! So glad that the meatballs were a hit!
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!
Hey Darlene! That’s how my mom used to make them but I can’t remember if she used 1 can of jellied and 1 can of berried? Did you still use the brown sugar?
We loved these meatballs. I lost the recipe and found Lil Luna’s 😋
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!
Made these for bunco night in my neighborhood! Didn’t last very long because they are delicious!
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!
These are always a party hit
So easy and yummy!!!!
Used these for a lunch with my family and they were super good!
Amazing
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!
Can’t wait to try!
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.
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!
I love crockpot meatballs! The best appetizer for any occasion, and so easy too!
Love these!!
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!
INTERESTING METHOD I’LL TRY IT FOR SURE. THANK YOU FOR RECIPE. 🙂
You are so welcome! Enjoy!!
Made these for the family tonight and they were yummy! Big hit 🙂
Yay!! I am glad to hear that! Thank you so much!
These make the perfect tasty appetizer!
on the menu for super bowl sunday!! We love Meatballs!! Great recipe. Thanks!!
Cant beat a recipe thats easy and flavorful! You literally dump everything into a crocKpot and run. You’ll love this recipe.
I am loving these flavors! I love how easy this is!
I love how easy this is to make! Thank you so much for the sharing!!
Been making this recipe for years. SO GOOD!!!
Nothing like a delicious meatball and these look beyond perfect!
Thank you so much 🙂
My husband loves meatball appetizers. These did not Dissapoint and weRe so easy to Make in the crockpot.
These meatballs taste amazing! They had so much flavor. We had them over the holidays & my family loved them! They can’t wait to eat them again!
These are the perfect appetizer! I make these for any and every occasion.
I’ve am eager to make this over recipe the holidays. Do you use fresh ginger or ground?
I used ground ginger 🙂 Hope you like them!
these meatballs were amazing! they were so easy to make & had great flavor. my family enjoyed them! I served them as an appetizer at a family gathering & they were gone in minutes!
These look soooo good. My grandmother used to make the most amazing swedish meatballs and I have been looking for something similar for quite some time. I can’t wait to give this one a try 🙂
Yay..I hope it’s similar!
These look so good but, how large is a large bag, ounces or pounds?
It is a 20 ounce bag, but I believe they have a bigger bag, too. I hope that helps! Good luck!
Can I make them, then refrigerate and reheat in crockpot?
Podria decirme el peso de la bolsa de albondigas
Gracias
No puedo recordar el tamano exacto, pero es una gran bolsa. Creo que la bolsa mas grande es de 60 onzas, asi que tal vez la bolsa que utilice fue cerca de 30 onzas. Espero que ayude!! Gracias!!
Hi Kristyn,
Looks yummy, but my only question would be is how spicy is this considering the chili sauce in the ingredients as we don’t handle spicy too well in this family?
Cheers,
John
They weren’t too spicy. You can always add a little less chili sauce or maybe a little more ketchup. Hope you give them a try!! Thanks for stopping by!
Do you think i could make my own meatballs freeze them & finish them with your sauce & crockpot them ? Would this work ?
I haven’t tried that, but I don’t see why not:) I’m sure homemade meatballs would be delicious! Good luck!!
Hey Kristyn these look yummy and so easy. Now these aren’t Swedish meatballs are they? I wasn’t sure!! But regardless I will be making them!! Thanks as usual for all your yum recipes!!
These are just regular frozen meatballs, but any kind will work:) They are super yummy and yes, very easy to make! Hope yo like them as much as we did!!