Slow Cooker Sweet and Tangy Meatballs Recipe

5 5

5 from 1 vote

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These Slow Cooker Sweet and Tangy Meatballs only have 3 simple ingredients. Throw them in your crock pot and serve them over a rice as a main dish or eat them with toothpicks as a quick appetizer.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Tangy Meatballs Recipe

Slow Cooker Sweet and Tangy Meatballs are one of our go-to meals because they only require 3 easy ingredients!

Make these meatballs in the Instant Pot! CLICK HERE to get the instructions.

You can serve these meatballs as a main dish over rice – we love them this way!

But they are also an incredible appetizer – we keep them warm in the slow cooker and put a cup of toothpicks next to it so that your family and friends and serve themselves and enjoy a meatball appetizer on a toothpick.

Ingredients needed for Sweet and Tangy Meatballs:

chili sauce (found near the ketchup at the grocery store)
grape jelly
frozen meatballs

How to make Sweet and Tangy Meatballs in the slow cooker:

Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
Combine jelly and chili sauce in a crock pot and stir until smooth. Heat the mixture if needed to combine.
Add meatballs or cocktail sausages and set temperature to low. Cook for 2-5 hours on low.
Serve over rice or with toothpicks.

Related recipe: if you love these slow cooker meatballs, try our Instant Pot Italian Meatballs (we know you’ll love them, too!).

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This recipe is part of our 55 of the Best Appetizers for Christmas Potluck (Favorite Party Foods)

Can I turn these meatballs into a freezer meal?

Freezer meals are one of our favorite dinners, because you can prep ahead of time and eat them at a later time (like a busy weeknight!).

Here’s how to make this into a freezer meal:

In a bowl, combine chili sauce and grape jelly until smooth.

Place meatballs in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag.

Pour in the chili sauce mixture and mix together in the bag until thoroughly combined. Zip bag closed.

When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours.

Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray and place contents of bag inside slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 1-2 hours or LOW for 3-4 hours.

I usually double this recipe and freeze half of it for another day. It’s also a recipe I know everyone in my family will love and eat.

More meatball recipes you will love:

Slow Cooker Sweet and Tangy Meatballs Recipe

5 from 1 vote

These Slow Cooker Sweet and Tangy Meatballs only have 3 simple ingredients. Throw them in your crock pot and serve them over a rice as a main dish or eat them with toothpicks as a quick appetizer.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 5 5

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Ingredients

▢ 12 ounces chili sauce
▢ 16 ounces grape jelly
▢ 2 pounds frozen meatballs

Equipment

Slow Cooker

Instructions

Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
Combine jelly and chili sauce in a crock pot and stir until smooth. Heat the mixture if needed to combine.
Add meatballs and set temperature to low. Cook for 2-5 hours on low.
Serve over rice for a main dish or with toothpicks for an appetizer.

Notes

To Make Into A FREEZER MEAL: In a bowl, combine chili sauce and grape jelly until smooth. Place meatballs in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Pour in the chili sauce mixture and mix together in the bag until thoroughly combined. Zip bag closed. When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray and place contents of bag inside slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 1-2 hours or LOW for 3-4 hours.
You could also substitute the frozen meatballs for cocktail sausages.
You can use turkey meatballs, chicken meatballs, or beef meatballs.

Nutrition

Calories: 500 kcal · Carbohydrates: 47 g · Protein: 20 g · Fat: 24 g · Saturated Fat: 9 g · Cholesterol: 82 mg · Sodium: 651 mg · Potassium: 526 mg · Fiber: 3 g · Sugar: 32 g · Vitamin A: 297 IU · Vitamin C: 13 mg · Calcium: 36 mg · Iron: 2 mg

Cuisine: American

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.

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Questions & Reviews

One in the SAHM says:

This might be the easiest, most delicious-looking recipe I've ever seen! Thanks for the tidbit - following you now!
Amy Faith says:

If I can't have chili sauce, what is a different sauce I could try? BBQ?
Anonymous says:

Since I am diabetic, we used 1/2 the sugar grape jelly instead, and it worked well. Everyone loved it - I may try it with sugar free jelly to see how it goes. Great recipes, can't wait to try some of these!!
Liz says:

We've been making these for years, always a hit! I use 2 jars of chili sauce and then had 2-3 tablespoons of honey as well.
Single Blonde in the City says:

These are the best meatballs- I have served them so many times for parties! So easy and inexpensive. I use a can of cranberry sauce, and a few dashes of cumin in mine. Delicious!
akgirl78 says:

I've made these for a long time! love them!! we like to put them on hoagie rolls (usually 3-4 meatballs per roll) and have meatball sandwiches!
Bonnie Ferrell says:

anyone know the calore content?
Aleesha says:

Instead of the Grape Jelly We use a can of Cranberry Jelly! SO GOOD!!! I bring it to every party.
noregretsliving says:

These were awesome! I'd only add: use 24 ounces of meatballs. My meatball bag came in 12 oz servings, which threw off the sauce/meat ratio.

I do think they are fabulous for appetizers or potlucks.
Dawn says:

I see you use a 12 oz. jar of chili sauce for this recipe,does it matter what brand? And...how large a jar of grape jelly is needed; and what size bag of frozen meatballs?? Dawn
The Ellis' says:

@ Dawn,
I have tried different brands and they all taste the same, so I just go with whatever is cheapest! The grape jelly is 18 oz. The bag of meatballs is 24 oz.
Anonymous says:

I either use a grape jelly/bbq combo and recently Wal-Mart had meatball samples using jellied cranberry sauce and chili sauce...my new fav combo! Can't go wrong with meatballs!
Christy says:

I'm making these for the Superbowl today with cranberry jelly and a can of drained pineapple chunks. always a hit!
amanda in kansas says:

I had to throw the jelly/sauce in the blender for it to mix properly. I tried the little smokies version. The pork smokies need to be cooked first otherwise they have the "boiled" consistency after sitting in the crock pot. Definitely a hit, though!
Saralee says:

I have a little different version I use. It is one to two cans of Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce and one to two bottles of Sweet Baby Rae's Honey Barbaque Sauce. One to two of each depending on how many meatballs you use. I use two of each for the large bag of meatballs from Costco. We like to serve it over rice. It's delish!
Candice & Ryan says:

I make something similar. I use a can of jellied cranberry sauce and some brown sugar and LOTS of garlic. Sometimes an onion or shallot chopped fine too.
Lindsey says:

These look delicious! I am putting them on the menu for Tuesday night. Question, do I have to use pre-made meatballs? I have about 8lbs of ground turkey in the freezer and would hate to have to buy more! Please let me know! Thanks! [email protected]
Unknown says:

Can I use homeade meatballs instead of frozen.If so do they have to be cooked beforehand?
hammockinthesun says:

This is a great recipe however, there is another one I use that is even better! You make (or use frozen) meatballs and then cook them with a stick of butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, and a (small) bottle of Heinz 57 sauce. They are beyond amazing!!! This recipe is especially good for those that can't use the chili sauce, as I saw one person post about.
itzcool4me says:

I made these for a potluck I went to tonight and everyone loved them. Apparently 24 was not enough! Double batch next time. :)
AshK'smommy says:

Wish I would have read the size of the Jelly in a comment, I got a big jar and the sauce is really thin, not thick. I may try to thicken it up with some corn starch though.
Six Sisters says:

Hi Lindsey!

Hope they turned out okay! I think they would work fine using homemade meatballs. Thanks!
Cherrie June says:

This comment has been removed by the author.
Cherrie June says:

can anyone tell me how spicy this is? i am planning on making it for a kid's buffet table for my son's birthday party...thanks!
laura says:

I'd like to know what the spicy-ness of this is as well. My husband isn't a fan of spicy. Thanks.
Six Sisters says:

Hi Cherrie!

Our family doesn't seem to think they are spicy at all. Even my 2 year old will eat them! Hope that helps!
Six Sisters says:

Hi Laura!

Our family doesn't seem to think they are spicy at all (We aren't big fans of spicy foods). Even my 2 year old will eat them!
Christa Teller says:

We've made these before and everyone has loved them! Recently I tried Sweet Baby Ray's Chipolte BBQ sauce, 1-2 Tbsp dry chipolte seasoning and Apricot (or mango) preserves. It was absolutely delish, and depending on how much dry seasoning you add, can be made a little spicier for adults =)
Christa Teller says:

We've made these before and everyone has loved them! Recently I tried Sweet Baby Ray's Chipolte BBQ sauce, 1-2 Tbsp dry chipolte seasoning and Apricot (or mango) preserves. It was absolutely delish, and depending on how much dry seasoning you add, can be made a little spicier for adults =)
Amy Nicole Smith says:

I have a friend who uses mustard
MaryXO says:

My family does this same recipe except we use Kielbasa 2-3 of them. Or how many will fit in your crockpot. We cut them at a slant.
Marie Kirkwood says:

I make these too! They are delicious and a crowd pleaser especially for kids, men and teenagers!

I use frozen sirloin meatballs, 1 jar chilli sauce, 1 jar grape jelly, 1 tbsp of garlic and 1 cup of Asian style sweet and sour chili sauce.

And I get requests to bring this to potlucks all the time.

Yes sometimes - depending on the crowd - I make a double batch!
Gretch-A-Sketch says:

My mom made these as well, the same way too! I have changed it a bit though....now I use red pepper jelly instead of the grape because our family adores a little spice! I have also used the jalapeno jelly as well (its green) and it was amazing too! Honestly, neither are too spicy. It really just gives it a little bit of a kick. Plus the sweet/spicy mix works really well with these!
Debra Steele says:

I have used ketchup and grape jelly then added some dry chili seasoning. Worked as well.
Debra Steele says:

I have used ketchup and grape jelly then added some dry chili seasoning. Worked as well.
Unknown says:

OK, so WHAT is Chili Sauce?!?! We have chili seasonings, but I've never seen a bottle of chili sauce. Is it with the BBQ sauces and/or marinades? Is it a regional item? We live in CA.
Anita Johnson says:

I live in Illinois and we have it here. Yes I find it in the same isle as the barbeque sauces.
christilocs says:

If u use fresh made meat balls should u brown then 1st?
Six Sisters says:

Yes, you would need to brown the meatballs first. The frozen ones you can buy are pre-cooked.
Six Sisters says:

Usually by the ketchup.
raeme says:

Should I use bbq sauce or Chili sauce. I dont want to sweet or spicy. Txs
Cyd says:

Chili sauce is so yummy on the meatballs. I'll think you'll like the chili sauce. But if you are a huge bbq sauce person, you may want to try that. We prefer the chili sauce for this recipe! :)
Sarah says:

My mom makes these and they are great! Going to make them this week for an appetizer Paperly party that I am hosting.
nancy says:

Can I put the meatballs in the crock pot while still frozen or do I need to thaw first?
Cyd says:

Just throw them in frozen!
Saralee says:

These sound delish! I also make one that is similar . . . 1 can of whole cranberry sauce 1 bottle of Sweet Baby Rae's Honey Barbeque sauce Mix the two together well 20 oz of meatballs (frozen) Put in crock pot and cook on low for about 5 hours (I layer sauce and meatballs) This is always a hit wherever I bring it! Excellent over rice or all alone!
Josh says:

Just made these with a 13oz jar of Pepper Jelly and a 14oz can of Cranberry sauce, turned out really well. My wife usually makes it with the chili sauce from the original post and a jar of sweet and sour. I used the pepper jelly since the guys at work like spicier stuff. They evaporated, lol, going to have to make a double batch next time.
Josh says:

We usually use Chili Sauce and Sweet and sour, and we have served it at childrens parties on multiple occaisions, Chili sauce is actually quite mild. (We usually use heinz, the recipe is on the bottle ;))
a navarro says:

can I use ketchup and chili powder in place of chili sauce? how much of each
Cyd says:

Here is a recipe for homemade chili sauce. There is more to it than ketchup and chili powder. Hope this helps! Ingredients 8 ounce can of tomato sauce 2 tablespoons of tomato paste Juice of 1/2 of a fresh lemon 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon of dry mustard 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder Couple dashes of Worcestershire sauce Instructions Whisk ingredients together until thoroughly mixed.
megan says:

Can you double this?
Cyd says:

You can easily double this but you will need to be sure your slow cooker is big enough!
Lindsey says:

Are u suppose to use this whole jar of chilli sauce and grape jelly??
Cyd says:

Use the amount that is included in the ingredients.
Peggy Kirkpatrick says:

I dislike frozen meatballs but would use this on real ones for sure ! I have tried many frozen meatballs including sirloin ones...none have any semblance of real meat when you bite into them!
Patrice says:

Can you use strawberry jelly instead of grape jelly??
Cyd says:

I don't think strawberry jelly would work with this. Grape jelly goes well with a lot of dishes.
Mary says:

Great idea!
Dannielle Gaines says:

How do I find nutritional info on this dish?
Gavin Brezski says:

For the nutrition information, are the calories listed for the entire recipe or just one serving?
Momma Cyd says:

It's for one serving, but it will be less calories if you get more than 8 servings.
Tanya says:

Great recipe! I served mine with twice baked potatoes and green beans.
Momma Cyd says:

That sounds like a wonderful dinner!!