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Easy Slow Cooker Party Meatballs Recipe with Grape Jelly BBQ Sauce for Perfect Game Day Snack

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These easy slow cooker party meatballs combine frozen pre-cooked meatballs with a sweet and smoky grape jelly BBQ sauce, making a perfect fuss-free snack for game day or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (900 grams) frozen pre-cooked meatballs
  • 1 cup (240 ml) grape jelly
  • 1 cup (240 ml) barbecue sauce
  • 1 teaspoon (5 grams) garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon (5 grams) onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon (2 grams) black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

  1. Measure out 1 cup (240 ml) of grape jelly and 1 cup (240 ml) of your favorite barbecue sauce. No need to thaw frozen meatballs.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine grape jelly, barbecue sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce (optional), and black pepper. Stir until smooth and well blended.
  3. Place the 2 pounds (900 g) of frozen meatballs in the slow cooker, spreading them out evenly.
  4. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the meatballs and gently toss or stir to coat them well.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. Alternatively, cook on high for 1.5 to 2 hours, watching carefully to avoid drying out the sauce.
  6. Around halfway through cooking (1.5 to 2 hours), gently stir the meatballs to redistribute the sauce and prevent sticking.
  7. Check that meatballs are hot throughout and sauce is thick and glossy. If sauce is too thin, remove lid and cook an additional 15-20 minutes to reduce, stirring occasionally.
  8. Serve warm from the slow cooker or transfer to a serving dish.

Notes

Use pre-cooked frozen meatballs for best texture and time-saving. Stir halfway through cooking to prevent sticking. Worcestershire sauce adds savory depth but is optional. For gluten-free, verify all ingredients. Sauce can be prepped the night before and refrigerated; add 30 minutes to cooking time if so. Oven method: bake covered at 350°F (175°C) for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker meatballs, party meatballs, grape jelly meatballs, BBQ meatballs, game day snacks, easy appetizers, crowd-pleaser

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