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Our favorite sweet and savory crockpot meatballs are prepped in only 5 minutes for the perfect no-fuss party appetizer!

Crockpot Meatballs poked with toothpicks on a white plate.
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Who here loves MEATBALLS?

We do!! We first had these crockpot meatballs at a New Year’s party decades ago and now we make this sweet and spicy appetizer ALL of the time! The best part is that you literally dump everything in the crock pot and let it cook – only 5 minutes of work!

Frozen meatballs keep it extra simple. We store a few bags in our freezer so we can make these anytime we decide to host a party, need something for a potluck, or just want some meatballs!

If you like these crockpot meatballs, you’ll love Grape Jelly Meatballs, Sweet and Sour Meatballs, and Buffalo Chicken Meatballs.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • Favorite app. Meatballs make the perfect crockpot appetizer for parties, showers, and large gatherings!
  • Taste amazing. They get rave reviews and the entire crock pot is always empty by the end of the event.
  • Just dump and cook! Two thumbs up for simple and quick to throw together, especially when you’re running around getting ready for a party!
Frozen meatballs, ketchup, and other seasonings out on a kitchen counter.

Ingredients

  • 1 (14-ounce) bottle ketchup
  • 1½ cups cold water
  • 1 cup brown sugar – light or dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup chili sauce
  • 1 cup red currant jelly – or huckleberry jam, grape jelly, or apple jelly 
  • juice from 2 lemons – about 5 tablespoons, or bottled lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen meatballs – Use pork, chicken, or turkey meatballs. If using homemade Easy Meatball Recipe, lightly brown in a skillet with oil before adding them to the crockpot.
  • optional flavor additions – Add a dab of mustard and a dash of liquid smoke. Add cayenne or red pepper flakes for a little heat.

How to Make CrockPot Meatballs

  1. COMBINE. Place 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup chili sauce, 1 cup jelly, 14 ounces ketchup, ½ teaspoon ginger, 1½ cups cold water, and lemon juice from 2 lemons in your crock pot. Add 32 ounces of frozen meatballs and stir to coat.
  2. HEAT. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours. Turn the setting to warm for up to 4 hours.

PRO TIP: How Many to MAke?

  • Appetizer or hors d’oeuvre: 3 per guest
  • Main dish: 6-8 per guest
Crockpot Meatballs close up image on white dish.

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5 from 214 votes

Crockpot Meatballs

By: Lil’ Luna
Our favorite sweet and savory crockpot meatballs are prepped in only 5 minutes for the perfect no-fuss party appetizer!
Servings: 50 meatballs
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 (14-ounce) bottle ketchup
  • 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 to coat.
  • Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6–8 hours. Turn the setting to warm for up to 4 hours.

Video

Notes

Easy Homemade Meatballs.  Lightly brown homemade meatballs before adding to the crock pot.
How many to make? When serving as an appetizer or hors d’oeuvre plan to make 3 per guest. If serving as part of the main entree then plan for 6-8 per guest.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1meatball, Calories: 41kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 0.2g, Fat: 0.03g, Saturated Fat: 0.01g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 0.01mg, Sodium: 77mg, Potassium: 32mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 37IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 6mg, Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store?

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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5 from 214 votes (182 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




69 Comments

  1. Joy says:

    5 stars
    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!

  2. sOMMER says:

    5 stars
    These are the perfect appetizer! I make these for any and every occasion.

  3. Cheryl says:

    I’ve am eager to make this over recipe the holidays. Do you use fresh ginger or ground?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I used ground ginger 🙂 Hope you like them!

  4. Joy says:

    5 stars
    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!

  5. Ed Rosenthal says:

    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 🙂

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yay..I hope it’s similar!

  6. Mary says:

    These look so good but, how large is a large bag, ounces or pounds?

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      It is a 20 ounce bag, but I believe they have a bigger bag, too. I hope that helps! Good luck!

      1. Sara says:

        Can I make them, then refrigerate and reheat in crockpot?

  7. Cruz says:

    5 stars
    Podria decirme el peso de la bolsa de albondigas
    Gracias

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      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!!

  8. John says:

    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

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      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!

  9. Stephanie says:

    Do you think i could make my own meatballs freeze them & finish them with your sauce & crockpot them ? Would this work ?

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      I haven’t tried that, but I don’t see why not:) I’m sure homemade meatballs would be delicious! Good luck!!

  10. Donna Howard says:

    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!!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      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!!