Description
This Slow Cooker Sweet & Savory Meatballs recipe combines juicy, fully cooked meatballs with a tangy, flavorful sauce made from grape jelly, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, mustard, and spices. It’s a simple, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for parties or an easy family meal. Ready in just over four hours, these meatballs require minimal prep and offer a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen fully cooked meatballs
Sauce
- 1 cup grape jelly
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (any variety)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish (optional)
- Chopped parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the grape jelly, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Layer the Meatballs: Place the frozen fully cooked meatballs in the slow cooker, spreading them out evenly.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the meatballs in the slow cooker, then stir gently to coat all the meatballs evenly with the sauce.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours or on high heat for 2 to 3 hours, until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce is bubbly.
- Serve and Garnish: Stir the meatballs before serving to distribute the sauce well. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired, then serve as an appetizer with toothpicks or over rice for a hearty main dish.
Notes
- If using homemade meatballs, brown them in a skillet before adding to the slow cooker for extra flavor and texture.
- For a different twist on flavor, substitute grape jelly with apricot preserves or cranberry sauce.
- Serve these meatballs as party appetizers with toothpicks or as a main course over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.
