Easy Cocktail Meatballs are the perfect appetizer made with meatballs, grape jelly, and chili sauce – only 3 ingredients! Give them a try!
Meatballs are the perfect bite-size Appetizer for any occasion! This classic grape jelly recipe is a longtime favorite but be sure to check out my Cranberry and Marmalade variations too.
Table of contents
Sabrina’s Cocktail Meatballs Recipe
The sweet and savory combination of this delicious recipe has made Cocktail Meatballs a crowd favorite for years. Whether I’m bringing them to a potluck, adding them to my holiday spread, or serving them as a quick weeknight dinner, I know when I make these meatballs, it is going to be a hit. They are so good, I recommend doubling the recipe for parties because they are an appetizer everyone keeps going back for.
The best part about these grape jelly meatballs is they couldn’t be any easier! You only need three ingredients, a crockpot, and a couple of hours. And if you don’t have a slow cooker, I’ve got you covered with oven, Instant Pot, and stove top instructions in this post. Plus ideas for serving these tasty meatballs, variations and more – everything you need to make the best meatballs ever.
Ingredients
- Grape Jelly: The jelly sweetness and smooth texture to the glaze, complementing the chili sauce’s zestiness. You can use pretty much any type of jam or jelly, but this is the classic flavor combo.
- Heinz Chili Sauce: Chili sauce is like an unsweetened ketchup with a warmer, bolder flavor. Although the name says chili, there are no peppers in the sauce so it isn’t spicy like chili pastes. You’ll usually find it near ketchup and BBQ sauces.
- Frozen Meatballs: Using frozen meatballs saves you time, not just from prepping the actual meatballs, but you don’t have to cook them ahead. Do not thaw the meatballs first, you want them to cook slowly so they don’t fall apart.
How to Make
Time needed: 4 hours and 5 minutes.
- Step 1: Mix the Glaze
In a medium bowl, combine grape jelly and Heinz chili sauce.
- Step 2: Coat the Meatballs
Stir in the frozen meatballs.
- Step 3: Slow Cook
Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Cook on low (not medium heat) for 3-4 hours.
- Step 4: Enjoy!
Serve your party meatballs with sauce – it’s the perfect appetizer!
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 16 ounces grape jelly
- 16 ounces Heinz chili sauce
- 32 ounces frozen meatballs
Instructions
- Mix grape jelly and chili sauce in mixing bowl until well combined, then stir in frozen meatballs until well coated.
- Add to slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
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Can these be made ahead of time?
Partially but it’s not really necessary. You could mix the sauce ahead of time but you don’t want to add the meatballs until you are ready to cook them because they need to be frozen. You could also cook everything and then reheat it over low heat until it’s hot, which would save you some time the day you serve them. If you are reheating them, add some water or broth to the sauce as needed to loosen it up.
Kitchen Tools & Equipment
- Mixing Bowl: You can mix the sauce in your slow cooker as well, I just find a bowl easier to mix in.
- Slow Cooker: If you don’t have slow cooker, see my Alternative Cooking section for other ways to make this recipe.
- Spoon: A big sturdy spoon helps mix the meatballs in the sauce easily and I use the same one for serving to save on clean up.
Nutritional Facts
How to Store Leftovers
- Storing Leftovers: Store the meatballs with the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Reheating Tips: To keep everything from drying out, gently simmer the meatballs in their sauce on the stovetop, adding a bit of water if needed.
- Freezing Meatballs: Once the meatballs and sauce are cooled, store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat.
Best Ways to Serve
- Classic Appetizer: Create an elegant appetizer platter by arranging the cocktail meatballs on toothpicks. You can make extra sauce for dipping, just simmer it on the stove for a few minutes and serve separately.
- Meatball Sliders: Transform your cocktail meatballs into sliders. Place them in small buns, add a slice of cheese, and top with lettuce or coleslaw. These mini sandwiches are perfect game-day snacks.
- BBQ Entree: The sauce is similar to a BBQ sauce, so why not serve these meatballs instead of firing up the grill? They go great with cookout sides like Mac and Cheese and Mashed Potatoes.
- Meatball Bowl: Serve cocktail meatballs over a bed of cooked rice or Asian-style noodles, drizzle with glaze, and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Alternative Cooking Techniques
Instant Pot Method
- Place your frozen meatballs in the Instant Pot.
- Whisk together ½ tablespoon cornstarch, grape jelly, and chili sauce. Pour it over the meatballs.
- Close the lid and set the valve to sealed.
- With manual setting, set the temperature to high for 10 minutes. Natural release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure. Stir and serve.
Oven-Baked Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a large baking dish and add the frozen meatballs in a single layer.
- Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, until cooked through. Flip them halfway through the cooking time to brown on both sides.
- Meanwhile, whisk together the grape jelly and chili sauce in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer and then remove from the heat.
- When the meatballs are cooked, add them to the sauce and toss to coat before serving.
Stove Top Method
- Add the meatballs, jelly, and chili sauce to a pot big enough to stir easily without spilling.
- Stir everything until the sauce is mixed and the meatballs are coated.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes until the meatballs are heated through, stirring occasionally.
Frequent Questions
Yes, but you will need to cook them first before adding them to the sauce. This not only makes sure they are cooked through, but it keeps them from falling apart or adding a bunch of grease.
Absolutely! You can prepare the glaze in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
Certainly, you can experiment with different fruit jellies like apricot or raspberry to vary the flavor.
Variations
- Spicy: As mentioned, chili sauce doesn’t actually have chilies but you can add some heat if you want! Add a few teaspoons of garlic chili paste, sriracha, or other hot sauce. You can also add a bit of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes, I suggest no more than ½ teaspoon but taste as you go.
- Jelly: Instead of the grape jelly, try this with orange marmalade or jellies like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry. I recommend jelly because it doesn’t have any seeds but you could use jam too.
- Meatballs: Swap out the beef meatballs for turkey or chicken meatballs for a slightly healthier version. You could also use vegetarian meatballs. If you want to use Homemade Meatballs, you will need to cook them first.
- BBQ Sauce: Instead of the chili sauce, you can make these meatballs with your favorite BBQ sauce. I would use a smoky or extra savory flavor, versus a honey BBQ, just to keep the sauce from being too sweet.
More Sweet and Savory Meatballs
The following recipes were used in previous versions of this post:
I thought these were kinda on the sweet side. I will make again, but would cut the jelly down to 10-12 oz. and kick up the chili sauce to 18-20 oz. Thinking that’s a better mix.
Which type of frozen meatballs ?
(Italian, home style, etc.)
You decide!
I make homemade meatballs. I always make ahead, freeze then defrost before baking. I’ve used a crock pot to keep them warm during party. Can frozen raw meatballs be cooked in slow cooker?
Yes but keep in mind frozen meat gives off liquid and you may need to heat the last few minutes without the lid to allow extra liquid to dissipate. You don’t want your sauce to be diluted.
Can you use instapot to slow cook the meatballs? Should you use low medium or high setting for slow ccoking?
I’m guessing yes but I haven’t tested it the kitchen. Did you try it in your instapot and if so, how did they turn out?!
I use cranberry sauce instead of grape jelly and add 1/4 cup brown sugar and dash of Worcestershire sauce. I use frozen meatballs, smokies, and some sliced kielbasa.
Would seafood sauce work in place of chili sauce? I think it would just be a little spicier?
I haven’t tested this recipe using seafood sauce but yes, it would be spicier! How did the Cocktail Meatballs turn out for you with seafood sauce?
I used this recipe many times. One day I decided to add a table spoon of horseradish to the the pot. It was great, my friends loved it. Both ways are great.
Barbara Hausmann
Can this recipe be made with freshly made meatballs? Or meatballs not made in a slow cooker?
Thank you,
I was wondering the same thing.
I think I have some of the ingredients to make fresh meatballs.
The frozen ones in our local Walmart are crazy expensive!
Yes!
I am ready to make this recipe for a retirement party. Do Italian style meatballs work? Thanks
I have not been able to find Heinz chili sauce. can any chili sauce work?
Should work just fine.
Will sriracha chili sauce work for this?
It’ll give it more heat but go for it!
Oh my goodness the cocktail meatballs call for so few ingredients. And easy prep too.
Can you make these from scratch with raw meatballs? If so, at what temperature and for how long? Mel Heinrichs
Yes, if you want to make your own meatballs, you can put them in the slow cooker raw and let them cook in the grape jelly sauce until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. This temperature goes for ground beef, turkey, or pork meatballs. Good luck!
Is the receipt for homemade balls on pintrist
Here is the direct link:
https://dinnerthendessert.com/easy-homemade-meatballs/
How long would I cook this if using an instant pot? My slow cooker is in use already. Thanks!
Using a manual setting, set the temperature to high for 10 minutes and then complete a natural release. Enjoy!
What kind of frozen meatballs do you use, plain or Italian? I’ve made this many times before but haven’t for a while and don’t remember what I used.
You can use whatever you prefer. I believe I used plain for this recipe though. Enjoy!
Great recipe. As is, everyone loved it. After a bit, I added some little smokies to add a little bit of a textural difference and I remembered that my mom did something similar when I was a kid with smoke sausage. Both ways, we loved it. Thanks for the recipe.
Sounds delicious!
How long in the crock pot if the meatballs are thawed?
Are the thawed meatballs cooked or uncooked?
Hello, can I make this recipe using a 1.5 quart slow cooker?
No, the slow cooker will become overcrowded and won’t cook thoroughly. You’ll need to use at least a 3 qt slow cooker for this recipe unless you want to cut the recipe in half.
I have had this “dish” at parties, and thought it was quite GOOD! So glad I was able to find your recipe! QUESTION: Do you think it would be OK to double the recipe?
Yes 🙂
I have a work potluck to go to, can I make them the day before and then reheat them in the crockpot at work the next day?
Certainly! Or you can always put assemble them first thing in the morning at work and put them on high and they will be ready by lunch.
Can this recipe be made with raspberry jelly–NO Seeds?
Yes! I have made it with raspberry jelly, it’s delicious.
Thinking about making these for Thanksgiving. Can I replace with turkey meatballs?
Certainly! They will taste just as yummy!
I’d like to try these using some home made strawberry jalapeño fig jelly. How would you recommend adjusting the recipe? Do is still need chili sauce/ketchup?
I haven’t tried this with a jelly with that kind of unique flavor, but I say play around with it and let me know how it turns out!
You literally never say how to cook them in the crockpot….
What temperature?
How long beforehand?
It’s all in the recipe card. Cook of low for 3-4 hours. Enjoy!
Can you leave it on low for 5 hrs?
You can but they might be a bit mushy and the sauce may be thicker. Instead, I would switch it to warm after 4 hours if your slow cooker doesn’t automatically switch over.
What would you make to go along with this when serving as a dinner/main entree rather than an appetizer.
After some thought – I would definitely serve these with a potato or lightly seasoned noodles – something like my Easy Mashed Potatoes
https://dinnerthendessert.com/easy-mashed-potatoes-10-add-in-ideas/
Hope this helps!
If you use the oven method, what temperature to you bake it at and for how long?
Cook them for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. I hope you enjoy them!
Wow, this looks incredibly delicious!!! My family would love it.
Enjoy!
These are the best! I always serve appetizers on Christmas Eve, these will be super easy!
Definitely!
Such an easy appetizer idea! Definitely trying this.
Enjoy!
Can I reheat them in the crockpot and for how long? Thanks!
These cocktail meatballs look so good. All your tips were helpful too!
So glad you found them helpful. Enjoy!
One of my all time favorite finger foods. Yours sounds so delicious.
Thanks, Becky!
This recipes could not be easier or more delicious! Perfect for parties.
You say that: “If you don’t have Heinz chili sauce, you can use equal parts regular ketchup in this recipe.” Equal parts regular ketchup and what??
Sorry for the confusion. I just meant that you can substitute with the same amount of regular ketchup as the chili sauce. It will adjust the flavor though. Hope this helps.
iv’e never thought about using jelly to get that sweet savory flavor, great idea! Thanks for the pointers! I cant wait to try it!
Enjoy!
What brand od frozen meat balls are the best??
I don’t have a favorite brand, I like to switch it up. Sometimes I even make them myself or use turkey.
Can you use regular sized Italian meatballs and if so do you need to adjust the amounts of ingredients?
I’m not sure what you mean by regular sized. These were standard frozen meatballs. If you are using larger sized meatballs, you would adjust the ingredients depending how many and how large. Hope this helps.
Costco meatballs are perfect!
I thawed meatballs before I found this recipe. Will they still cook OK in the slow cooker.
yes, just shave an hour off the cook time.