That’s it, my friends. I hope you enjoy my grape jelly meatballs recipe. Let me know if you make them, and how you changed it up to make it your own. I’d love to hear! We’re talking Grape Jelly Meatballs, my friends! I haven’t had these since I was a kid! This was a super popular recipe when I was growing up, served at just about every party because they’re super easy to make, and they always disappear. Because they’re so good! I’ve had several people ask me how I would make this recipe, so here we go. My version is just as simple, though I have a few optional additions for you to spice things up, and I’m making homemade meatballs because I think they’re much better than frozen product. But don’t worry, you can use frozen meatballs if you’d prefer. So! Let’s talk about how to make grape jelly meatballs, shall we? Hand mix the ingredients, but do not overmix or overwork it, or the meatballs can become mealy. Hand Form the Meatballs. Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 to 1.25 inches in diameter. You will get roughly 50 meatballs out of this recipe, depending on the size. Cooking time can vary, depending on the size of your meatballs, though they will continue to cook through when you simmer them in the grape jelly sauce. Freeze or Continue. Freeze the meatballs if desired to make the recipe later, or add the meatballs to a crockpot at low heat. Simmer the Meatballs. Cook on low for 1 hour, or until the meatballs are warmed and coated in sauce. If cooking from frozen meatballs, cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the meatballs are warmed through. Serve and enjoy! I hope you like them as much as we do. It’s easy to make with ground beef or ground pork, but consider a mixture of meats for different flavor results. Frozen Meatballs Option. A popular time savor for this recipe is to purchase pre-cooked frozen meatballs from the grocery store. If using this option, simply add the frozen meatballs to a slow cooker or crockpot along with the grape jelly sauce ingredients. Then, cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the meatballs are cooked through and nice and delicious. Chili-Garlic Sauce Alternatives. I love using my homemade chili-garlic sauce for this recipe. You can use a store bought brand, like Huy Fong. Or, you can use sriracha for a spicier version, chili sauce (Heinz Chili Sauce is super popular), or simply add in more barbecue sauce. Stovetop Version. Skip the slow cooker and add the frozen cooked meatballs and sauce ingredients to a Dutch oven or large pot. Mix, cover, and cook on medium heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are warmed through. You can also freeze these meatballs for 2-3 months in freezer proof containers. Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
