These slow cooker sweet and spicy meatballs are the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Add them to your tailgating and party menus today! If you’re looking for game day recipes, this is the perfect appetizer!
Two years ago, I shared an awesome recipe on A Night Blog for slow cooker sweet spicy sausage and it was a hit there. I decided, instead of sharing it here, I would modify it and use meatballs instead.
Because meatballs are more fun. And you can buy them frozen – less time in the kitchen, more time tailgating!
With the official start of football season around the corner, it’s time to tailgate! In celebration, I’ve joined a group of bloggers from all over the country — all of whom are big football fans! — to bring you 64 tailgating recipe ideas for a terrific football party. Click here to get to all of our recipes!
I am from Chicago, and I’m a Bears fan. My husband works a weird shift and he makes sure that no matter what, he is off Sunday and Monday so he doesn’t miss a single Bears game.
Since we started dating, I have made it my mission to be the “Queen of Tailgating Recipes.” It’s a hard throne to maintain, but I enjoy my reign.
So do all of my Bears fans friends, neighbors and family members.
Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Meatballs
These slow cooker sweet and spicy meatballs are so easy to make that you are going to be shocked you didn’t make them sooner.While I am usually obsessed with making everything from-scratch, this is one of the few recipes I suggest using store-bought meatballs.
They can be found in the freezer section by the frozen appetizers (think pizza rolls, burritos and pockets of all kinds.)
Start by cooking the sauce in a small pot. Saute the garlic and then add the chili sauce and grape jelly. Cook for 10 minutes on medium heat, stirring frequently.
If the jelly doesn’t completely melt at this time, it’s okay – it will finish melting when in the slow cooker. While the sauce is cooking, put the meatballs in a 2-quart slow cooker.
Add the spices to the sauce, stir and then pour it over the meatballs. Heat that in the slow cooker for 1 1/2 – 2 hours or until the meatballs are hot and the sauce is bubbly.
I like to flip the slow cooker to warm and serve these delicious meatballs from there, but it also works well if you put it in a serving bowl.
Place a few toothpicks into some of the meatballs and then keep a small bowl of toothpicks some more nearby. Your friends will figure out what to do next.
Sweet and spicy meatballs for everyone!
Slow Cooker Sweet Spicy Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
- 12 ounces chili sauce
- 12 ounces grape jelly
- 1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 24-28 ounces frozen meatballs
Instructions
Pour the oil in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Then add the chili sauce and grape jelly and mix together. Cook for 10 minutes on medium heat, stirring frequently.
Place the frozen meatballs in your slow cooker. Add the spices to the sauce mixture, stir and then pour it over the meatballs. Cover and cook for 1 1/2 - 2 hours on high, or until the meatballs are hot and the sauce is bubbly. Stir once after 1 hour.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 servings Serving Size: 3 meatballsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 318 Total Fat: 154g Saturated Fat: 57g Cholesterol: 523mg Sodium: 5142mg Fiber: 25g Sugar: 211g Protein: 136g
Looking for more appetizer recipes, perfect for tailgating? Try these!
Note: This post is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by the National Football League (NFL) or any of its teams. All opinions and views expressed on our blogs are our own, not that of the NFL and/or any of its 32 teams. Any team names, logos or other symbols referenced are properties of their respective organizations. We are just big fans — and we want to share our love for our teams, the game and the food that brings us all together on game day.
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Michelle says
Looks delicious! Would tbese work with homemade meatballs (vs frozen)? Less cook time?
Jenny says
The absolutely would work with homemade meatballs. I would probably brown them a little first, but the cook time would probably decrease by an hour. I will have to give it a try and update you with the time!
smiling notes says
Wow! Your post is making me drool right now. The photos are stunning. Thanks a lot for linking up with the Family Joy Blog link up party. xoxo
-Shamira
Lea says
This looks delicious. I’m going to have to try this.
Robin says
Who doesn’t enjoy a good meatball when you’re tailgating? Thank you for sharing at the Creative Muster Party. PINNED!
Theresa @DearCreatives says
Looks so good! Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight party. See you again soon. Pinned & Shared.
Marisa says
This looks so good! I love crock pot recipes ! I’m so excited to see all the recipes! Thanks for sharing!
Fancy says
Go bears!
William says
Are those nutrition facts correct!? That seems like a lot of protein for only three meatballs
Jenny says
Hi William, I use an automatic nutrition calculator – unfortunately, it is not always accurate. I have been going through each recipe’s nutrition facts and correcting them but it takes a long time. I will move this one to the top of the list.
Lorena Magana says
What kind of chili sauce did you use?
Jenny says
I used Heinz chili sauce (https://amzn.to/2W2lUov) but you can use any kind.