Description
Grape jelly meatballs combine sweet and tangy flavors in a classic comfort dish perfect for gatherings. Hungry guests will savor these simple, irresistible appetizers that blend unexpected ingredients into a memorable culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 32 oz (907 g) frozen fully cooked meatballs
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s recommended)
- 1 cup (240 ml) grape jelly (Smuckers recommended)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) chili garlic sauce
Instructions
- Preparation: Place frozen meatballs, grape jelly, barbecue sauce, and chili sauce into the slow cooker, meticulously blending all components to create a harmonious sauce mixture.
- Coating: Gently stir the ingredients with a spatula, ensuring each meatball is completely enveloped in the glossy, rich sauce, promoting even flavor distribution.
- Slow Cooking: Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat, allowing the meatballs to simmer and absorb the robust sauce flavors for 3-4 hours, stirring once midway to prevent sticking and ensure uniform cooking.
- Temperature Management: Once cooking is complete, switch the slow cooker to warm setting to maintain ideal temperature and prevent overcooking while preserving the meatballs’ succulence.
- Serving: Carefully transfer the glazed meatballs to a serving dish, spooning extra sauce over the top for maximum flavor intensity and visual appeal.
- Garnish and Presentation: Optionally sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or chives to add a vibrant, herbaceous touch and elevate the dish’s aesthetic appeal.
- Enjoyment: Serve immediately as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or party snack, perfect for casual gatherings and social events.
Notes
- Prevent Sticking: Stir meatballs halfway through cooking to ensure even sauce coating and prevent burning or sticking to the slow cooker bottom.
- Sauce Consistency: Low heat allows sauces to caramelize slowly, creating a rich, glossy glaze that deeply penetrates and tenderizes the meatballs.
- Serving Temperature: Keep meatballs on warm setting after cooking to maintain ideal serving temperature without overcooking or drying out.
- Garnish Boost: Fresh herbs like parsley or chives add vibrant color and light, fresh flavor contrast to the rich, sweet-tangy sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg