Sweet Chili Meatballs Crockpot Recipe Easy Party Appetizer
Sticky, sweet, and tangy meatballs simmered in a crockpot with sweet chili sauce, grape jelly, and garlic. This easy appetizer is perfect for parties, potlucks, or cozy nights in and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours (LOW) or 2 hours (HIGH)
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes (LOW) or 2 hours 5 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, American
Ingredients
Scale
- 32 oz frozen meatballs (beef, turkey, chicken, or vegetarian)
- 1 1/2 cups sweet chili sauce
- 3/4 cup grape jelly
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 2 teaspoons jarred minced garlic)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (optional)
- Green onions, sliced (for garnish, optional)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
- Nonstick cooking spray or neutral oil (for crockpot prep)
Instructions
- Spray the inside of your crockpot with nonstick cooking spray or brush with neutral oil.
- Add the frozen meatballs directly to the crockpot.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, grape jelly, soy sauce, minced garlic, and rice vinegar (if using) until smooth. Alternatively, add all sauce ingredients directly to the crockpot and stir well.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs, using a spoon or spatula to coat evenly.
- Set the crockpot to LOW and cook for 3-4 hours, or HIGH for 2 hours, stirring gently halfway through.
- If the sauce is too thin after cooking, remove the lid for the last 20-30 minutes to thicken. If too thick, add a splash of water or extra chili sauce.
- Meatballs should be hot and the sauce bubbling gently when done.
- Transfer to a serving bowl or keep warm in the crockpot. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, let meatballs sit in the sauce on the ‘warm’ setting for up to an hour before serving. Use plant-based meatballs for a vegetarian version. Sauce consistency can be adjusted by removing the lid or adding liquid. Leftovers taste even better after a day and can be frozen for up to 2 months. Serve with toothpicks for appetizers or over rice/noodles for a meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-5 meatballs per serving
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 13
Keywords: sweet chili meatballs, crockpot appetizer, party meatballs, easy slow cooker recipe, Asian meatballs, holiday appetizer, game day snacks