These Grape Jelly Ketchup Meatballs are a long-time favorite appetizer to serve at your next party. Who knew simply combining jelly and ketchup together would make such an incredible sauce.
A couple of weeks ago my daughter was at one of her best friends house and she had the “most amazing” meatballs. So, of course, I had to call and get the recipe. She kind of laughed and told me what the ingredients were I knew right away why they were such a hit.
They are so similar to our saucy meatballs. But I have never made them with “ketchup” and jelly. They have a completely different taste and so delicious!
What’s great is that you can make your own meatballs (see recipe card) or use frozen cocktail meatballs.
You can also swap the ketchup for Heinz Chili Sauce or your favorite barbecue sauce if desired.
Ingredients Needed
How to Make Grape Jelly Meatballs
Step 1: Mix jelly and ketchup together.
Step 2: Pour about half of the jelly/ketchup mixture into the bottom of a slow cooker.
If making homemade meatballs
Mix ground beef, eggs, garlic powder, pepper and almond flour (or bread crumbs) together well.
Form meat mixture into balls a little smaller than a golf ball.
Step 3: Place meatballs in a slow cooker.
Step 4: Pour the remaining jelly/ketchup mixture on top of the meatballs.
Step 5: Cover and cook for about 4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low.
Love these ketchup and grape jelly meatballs? Make these other easy meatballs recipes next:
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Easy Grape Jelly and Ketchup Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 cup grape jelly
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
For Homemade Meatballs
- Mix ground beef, eggs, garlic powder, pepper and bread crumbs together well.2 pounds lean ground beef, 3 large eggs, ¾ cup breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Form meat mixture into balls a little smaller than a golf ball.
- Mix the jelly and ketchup together in a saucepan.1 cup grape jelly, 1 cup ketchup
- Pour about half of the jelly/ketchup mixture into the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Place the meatballs (frozen or homemade) in slow cooker.
- Pour the remaining jelly/ketchup mixture on top of the meatballs.
- Cover and cook for about 4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclosure
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
Marilyn
can a different flavor jelly be used?
Sherri
I have never tried that actually but I have heard apricot jam and cranberry sauce is also great!
Peggy Schroder
I just found your site and ran off several recipes that I will use for Super bowl weekend. Thank you so much! Great sounding recipes with great feedback!
Ingrid
I love your grape jelly meatballs.
alyssa faison
I added horseradish, mustard and Worcestershire sauce
April
Yum! I remember my old coworker brought something similar to work for our potluck. They were so good! Your recipe sounds perfect!
Jann Olson
Hi Sherri,
I have had these meatballs before and they are yummy. Such a great appetizer! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Janet Vinyard
Hi Sherri, The jelly and ketchup combo are really retro – I remember this from the 70’s! Still good after all these years! 🙂 Thanks for bringing them back! Blessings, Janet
Miz Helen
Your Meatballs look delicious and the sauce looks perfect for them. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and have a fabulous 4th!
Miz Helen
Millie
I love the little smokeys in the jelly ketchup sauce so i bet meatballs will be awesome! I have a bag in the freezer so now I know what to do with them this weekend! This will be so much better than spaghetti sauce or brown gravy!
Michelle
Sherri-
Love meatball recipes! My kids are in love with meatballs so I will have to give these a try!
I saw this @ Thursday Favorite Things- love it!
Michelle
Rebecca
Yum! These are some of my favorites!
Cottage Blessings,
Rebecca
Samantha Roberts
I made grape jelly and it set too firmly. Now I am looking for ways to use it so it isn’t wasted. I have this recipe in my crock pot right now. I added a little water to encourage the jelly to thin out a bit. It looks and smells great. Fingers crossed!
Joanne E Boulter
Thank you for sharing at SYC! 🙂 Jo