Crockpot BBQ Meatballs

There’s something about coming home to the smell of a slow cooker doing its thing — especially when it involves BBQ meatballs bubbling away in a sticky, sweet, and tangy sauce. This is one of those recipes I reach for when I need something ridiculously easy that still feels satisfying, whether it’s for a lazy weeknight dinner or to take along to a family gathering.

Crockpot BBQ MeatballsJust toss everything into the slow cooker, forget about it for a few hours, and come back to meatballs that are tender, flavorful, and perfectly coated in a glossy BBQ glaze. Let’s break it all down!

Why I Keep This Recipe in My Back Pocket

This one has saved me more times than I can count. I’ve made it last minute for potlucks, birthday parties, game nights — you name it. And the best part? It only takes three ingredients and maybe five minutes of your time upfront. That’s it.

The combination of spicy BBQ sauce and grape jelly might sound odd at first, but trust me — it works. The grape jelly adds a subtle sweetness that mellows the tangy heat of the BBQ, and together they create a thick, sticky sauce that clings to every bite of those tender meatballs.

If you’ve ever had those grape jelly meatballs with chili sauce at a potluck, this is the same comforting idea — just with a little more smoky heat.

Here’s What You’ll Need

  • Frozen Meatballs – I usually keep a big bag of store-bought frozen meatballs in the freezer for emergencies. They go straight into the crockpot, no thawing needed. Use beef, turkey, or even plant-based ones if that’s your thing.

  • Spicy BBQ Sauce – The kind with a little kick works best here to balance the sweetness from the jelly. I’ve used everything from honey chipotle to hickory habanero, and they all bring something fun to the table.

  • Grape Jelly – The classic, no-fuss kind. Don’t go for fancy jam here — just grab the good ol’ jar of Concord grape jelly, and you’re golden.

How I Make These in the Crockpot

1. Dump and Stir
Add your frozen meatballs, grape jelly, and BBQ sauce to the slow cooker. Give everything a good stir so the meatballs are evenly coated.

2. Cook Until Saucy and Tender
Cover and cook on high for 2½ to 3 hours, or low for about 5–6 hours. Stir halfway through if you’re around. By the end, the sauce should be sticky and thick enough to coat the meatballs beautifully.

Sometimes I like to crack the lid open for the last 20–30 minutes if I want the sauce to thicken a little more.

BEST Crockpot BBQ MeatballsHow Long Do They Keep in the Fridge?

These BBQ meatballs will stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days. I store them in an airtight container and just reheat in the microwave when I want a quick bite.

If I’m reheating a bigger batch, I throw them back into the crockpot on low until they’re warmed through. Super easy.

Can You Freeze Them? Yep.

After they’ve cooled completely, I transfer them to a freezer-safe container or a zip-top bag, flatten it out, and label it. They’re good in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat, I let them defrost in the fridge overnight and then warm them up either in the microwave or back in the slow cooker. They’re just as good the second time around.

Ways to Serve These Meatballs

For Parties
Keep the slow cooker on the “warm” setting and put out some toothpicks. These disappear fast every time I do this — especially at casual get-togethers or game nights.

For Dinner

  • Over mashed potatoes (my favorite — that sauce acts like gravy)

  • Spooned onto fluffy white rice

  • Tucked into slider buns for BBQ meatball sliders

  • Stuffed into sub rolls with melted cheese for an easy weeknight sandwich

I’ve even thrown a few over a bowl of mac and cheese when I was in the mood for something extra comforting. No shame here.

EASY Crockpot BBQ MeatballsReal-Life Tips & Little Extras

  • If you like a bit more heat, stir in some sriracha or crushed red pepper flakes.

  • Want it less sweet? Go with a tangier BBQ sauce or add a dash of apple cider vinegar to balance it out.

  • You can double the batch easily — just use a larger crockpot and stir occasionally to keep things from sticking.

  • Leftover meatballs make a great next-day lunch tucked into a wrap with shredded lettuce and a drizzle of ranch.

    Crockpot BBQ Meatballs

    Crockpot BBQ Meatballs

    Yield: 8
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 3 hours
    Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes

    These sweet and tangy BBQ meatballs are one of those no-fuss, crowd-pleasing recipes you’ll keep coming back to.

    Ingredients

    • 1 (32 oz) bag frozen meatballs (no need to thaw)
    • 1 (18 oz) bottle of your favorite spicy BBQ sauce
    • 1 (9 oz) jar grape jelly

    Instructions

    1. Start by placing the frozen meatballs directly into your slow cooker.
    2. Pour in the entire bottle of BBQ sauce, followed by the grape jelly. Give everything a good stir so the sauce and jelly start to blend together and coat the meatballs.
    3. Set your slow cooker to high and cook for about 2½ to 3 hours. As the sauce heats, it’ll thicken and cling to the meatballs beautifully.
    4. If you’re around while they’re cooking, give them a gentle stir every now and then to make sure every bite is coated in that sticky, flavorful sauce.
    5. Once they’re heated through and the sauce looks glossy and thick, they’re ready to serve straight from the crockpot—perfect for toothpicks or piled into a sandwich roll.
    Nutrition Information:
    Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 34Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 91mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 1g

    Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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Final Thoughts

I keep coming back to these Crockpot BBQ Meatballs because they’re the kind of recipe that always delivers without asking for much. It’s easy, it’s crowd-pleasing, and it fits into whatever kind of day you’re having — whether you need a hands-off dinner or a party snack that everyone raves about.

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