Best Vegan Grape Jelly Meatballs

Crockpot time is approaching and festive parties are not far away. Instead of feeling flustered when someone asks you to bring party food to share, say “Yes!” with confidence. Simply start the slow cooking process and we guarantee all will be well. You’ll be showered with constant compliments as your crockpot is quickly emptied of rich, sweet, and saucy vegan grape jelly meatballs.

The satisfying combination of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors is what makes this recipe so special. These vegan holiday (or anytime!) meatballs offer a guilt-free way to satisfy your barbecue cravings without any animals getting involved. Are you ready to savor every bite of these delectable, snackable morsels?

These mouthwatering meatless bbq meatballs are a fantastic choice for Meatless Mondays and potluck get-togethers. Grab the crockpot and let’s get cooking!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love These Holiday Grape Jelly Meatballs

Why is this recipe so popular every single year? It might be because people absolutely love meatballs, but it’s also due to the fact that this recipe is:

Quick and Easy. What could be simpler than throwing three ingredients into a crockpot? All you need is patience and a healthy appetite.
Only Four Ingredients. In a pinch, you can make this recipe with only three ingredients—meatballs, bbq (or just ketchup) and grape jelly. You probably have at least two of them in your pantry right now!
Sweet and Smoky. The combination of the sweet grape jelly and smoky barbecue sauce is out of this world! After the meatballs sit simmering in the sauce for a while, they have such a gorgeously glossy appearance—and taste even better than they look!
Appealing Appetizer or Satisfying Snack. You don’t have to wait for a party to make these holiday grape jelly and bbq sauce meatballs. Get a batch going the morning before a busy day and come back home to the most heavenly prepared meal. Or, better yet, bring some in an insulated container and take with you while you run errands. They’re so small and easily transportable.
Great for Leftovers. If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers, you can freeze them for later or use them to add to vegan meatball subs, chop up and add to a salad, or use in vegan kabobs!

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

To make these glossy vegan grape jelly meatballs, you only need a few ingredients. You can either use whatever you have on hand or go fancy! Choose the very best for each element for an even more celebratory flavor and style!

How To Make BBQ Meatballs

There process to make these delicious vegan grape jelly and bbq meatballs couldn’t be easier!

Step 1: Make Sweet and Savory Sauce – To start, combine grape jelly, barbecue sauce, and ketchup in a bowl.

Mouthwatering Meatball Suggestions

You may be wondering if it’s best to make your own homemade vegan meatballs or use store-bought ones for this recipe. Our suggestion is to use store-bought. They’ll keep their shape much better after simmering in the sauce for a few hours. Save your favorite plant-based meatball recipe for pastas and sandwiches, where they’ll be the shining star.

Our favorite brands of vegan meatballs to use include:

Helpful Vegan Slow Cooker Meatball Tips and Tricks

The crockpot is such a handy and useful machine, especially if you don’t have time to sit around the house all day. Using this efficient slow cooker gives you more time for errands, walks outdoors, and coffee with friends. Even if you often cook crockpot meals, here are a few tips and tricks to assure success:

Don’t Lift the Lid – Although it’s really very tempting to lift the lid to see how things are going, that’s the last thing you should do. Foods in the crockpot do not need stirring. If you end up removing the lid for some reason, make sure to add 5 more minutes cooking time.
Pressure Cooker vs Slow Cooker – Both the Instant Pot and the crockpot cook food for you instead of using the stovetop. But, the pressure cooker uses pressure and the slow cooker uses a much longer time. With the Instant Pot, you can use the slow cooker option, especially for this recipe. But, read the directions carefully so that you’re choosing the correct settings and time.
Opt for Oil – Barbecue sauce and ketchup both like to burn at the bottom of pans, so you may want to rub a little vegan butter or spray oil on the bottom and sides of the crockpot before adding the ingredients. Using the slow cooker reduces this risk (compared to a conventional pan), but if you’ve got an old machine, it may help with clean up.

What To Serve With Vegan Meatballs

Most people enjoy these meatballs right out of the crockpot because they just can’t wait to try a delicious little bite. Here are a few more well-mannered, though much less fun, ways of serving this vegan grape jelly meatball recipe:

Toothpicks – Use decorative wooden toothpicks to pierce each plant-based bbq meatball and arrange on a pretty plate or platter.
Cute Carrying Cups – Fill a mug, mini mason jar, or reusable cup with a few meatballs, extra sauce, and a piece of bread. Pass around for satisfying snacks or late-meal appetizers. Don’t forget the forks!
Meatball Subs – Make a DIY meatball sub bar, complete with several different types of breads, buns, rolls, and pita. Let each person grab the type they like and scoop in their own meatballs. Leave some extra sauce, vegan parmesan, and nutritional yeast nearby.
Vegetables – Sure, you can always bring bread into the equation, but how about fresh veggies like carrot sticks, ribs of celery, romaine hearts, and bell pepper slices? Something crisp and neutral pairs beautifully with the softer texture of the savory meatballs.
Comforting Sides – Make it a meal by serving it with comforting sides like vegan mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, or mustard roasted cauliflower.

FAQs

How do you store leftover slow cooker grape jelly meatballs?

Pop your leftover grape jelly meatballs into an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They’ll stay tasty for about 3 to 4 days.

Can you freeze crock pot holiday meatballs?

You sure can! Simply place in a freezer safe container, seal, and freeze. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months — just thaw and reheat when the craving hits.

What can I use instead of barbecue or ketchup in this sweet and sour meatballs recipe?

You’ve got lots of fun options! Try chili sauce instead of ketchup for a little kick. Or swap the barbecue sauce for sweet and sour sauce to make them extra tangy. You can even mix hoisin sauce with a splash of soy sauce for a tasty twist. Feeling bold? A mix of teriyaki sauce and a spoonful of mustard gives a fun, zesty flavor too!