These saucy 3 Ingredient Cocktail Meatballs are the perfect appetizer and only require 3 simple ingredients and a slow cooker to make!
Juicy cocktail meatballs with a simple sweet and spicy sauce…what’s not to like?
This is a super easy grape jelly cocktail meatballs recipe that can be made with my Make Ahead Frozen Meatballs or store-bought frozen meatballs.
3 Ingredient Cocktail Meatballs
This is the simplest of all cocktail meatball recipes. Pull out your trusty slow cooker for this one, you’re going to love it!
Ingredients
Here’s the basic list of ingredients you’ll need in order to make these 3 ingredient cocktail meatballs. As always, you can find the full list of ingredients located in the printable recipe card below.
- Meatballs – frozen
- Heinz Chili Sauce – found near the ketchup
- Grape Jelly
How To Make 3 Ingredient Cocktail Meatballs
Using frozen meatballs is the quickest way to make this grape jelly meatballs recipe, but you can always use my Easy Meatball Recipe.
ADD IN MEATBALLS Place the meatballs in a slow cooker and turn the heat to LOW.
PRO TIP Use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup!
MAKE SAUCE Whisk together the chili sauce and grape jelly in a small bowl.
POUR SAUCE After the sauce is mixed together, pour it over the meatballs and mix gently until it completely coats them.
COOK Cook meatballs on LOW heat with grape jelly and chili sauce together for 3-4 hours, until heated through. Stir to coat occasionally throughout cooking.
Tips and Variations
- Make sure you don’t use a seasoned Italian variety of frozen meatballs for this recipe. The flavors may clash with the sauce.
- Look for a homestyle meatball for the best results.
- If Chili sauce isn’t for you, try using pepper jelly or a different variety of chili sauce.
Can I Use Turkey Meatballs?
I prefer using frozen beef meatballs for their flavor, but if you would like to use turkey, I also have a fantastic Turkey Meatballs recipe you could use!
More Recipes That Use Meatballs
Looking for more of the best meatball recipes? I have a few more for you to try, including some meatball appetizers!
- Super Easy Swedish Meatballs
- Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Cheesy Slow Cooker Meatballs
- Cranberry Meatballs with Sour Cream Herb Dip
This 3 ingredient meatball recipe is the EASIEST one out there. I know you’ll love them as much as we do!
3 Ingredient Cocktail Meatballs
Instructions
- Place the meatballs in a slow cooker.
- Whisk together the chili sauce and grape jelly and pour over meatballs. Cook on LOW heat for 3 to 4 hours, until heated through. Stir to coat occasionally through cooking.
Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup
Lori
Do you use Heinz Chili Sauce or Sweet Chili Sauce?
Thank you 🙂
Lori
Oops I don’t know why it put one star in my first posted question!! ♀️
Shawn
Heinz Chili sauce.
Sue R
I have been making this recipe for at least 50 years. Sometimes I make them large and serve over noodles or rice.
Elizabeth
Could you use homemade plum jam instead?
Nancy Edwards
I use cranberry sauce