Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Chili Sauce Party Meatballs
Sweet, tangy, and just a little smoky, these Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Chili Sauce Party Meatballs simmer away in the slow cooker until they’re coated in a glossy sauce you’ll want to drizzle on everything else at the party too.

With just three ingredients and a slow cooker, you get a sticky, savory-sweet glaze that clings to every meatball without any fussing over the stove. It’s the ultimate hands-off appetizer, perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or game day, since it practically cooks itself while you focus on everything else.
Helpful Tips
- Keep it on warm for serving: Once the meatballs are done, switch your slow cooker to the warm setting so they stay hot and saucy throughout the party without overcooking.
- Stir occasionally: Giving the meatballs a stir partway through cooking helps the grape jelly melt evenly into the chili sauce, so every meatball gets fully coated.
- Don’t skip the sear if making from scratch: Baking the homemade meatballs at a high temperature before they hit the sauce helps them hold their shape and keeps them from becoming mushy during the long simmer.
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Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Chili Sauce Meatballs
Ingredients
- 32 ounce bag frozen fully-cooked meatballs
- 12 ounces chili sauce such as Heinz
- 10 ounces grape jelly
Instructions
- Add the meatballs to the slow cooker. Add the chili sauce and grape jelly. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 hours on HIGH or 4 to 6 hours on LOW. Serve directly from the slow cooker with a serving spoon or toothpicks.
Notes
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon EACH salt and black pepper
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Mix gently just until combined. Don’t overmix, or the meatballs can turn tough.
- Roll into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the baking sheet. Make sure they aren’t touching. Bake for 12 minutes or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

