Sweet Chili Meatballs Crockpot Recipe
Introduction
Sweet chili meatballs are a deliciously easy appetizer or snack, perfect for parties or casual gatherings. This crockpot recipe combines savory meatballs with a sweet and tangy sauce that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 48-ounce bag of fully cooked frozen Homestyle meatballs
- 12 ounces sweet red chili sauce (we use Thai Kitchen)
- 20 ounces grape jelly
- 20-ounce can of pineapple tidbits (drained)
Instructions
- Step 1: Place the frozen meatballs in your crockpot and add the sweet red chili sauce.
- Step 2: Next, add in the grape jelly and drained pineapple tidbits.
- Step 3: Stir everything together to coat the meatballs evenly.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on high for 1-2 hours or on low for 3-4 hours. Uncover and stir again before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For a spicier kick, add a dash of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
- Use homemade meatballs for a more personalized flavor.
- Serve with toothpicks for easy party snacking.
- Add chopped fresh cilantro or green onions on top before serving for an extra fresh touch.
Storage
Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh meatballs instead of frozen?
Yes, cooked fresh meatballs work well too. Just adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure everything is heated through.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can assemble the ingredients in the crockpot insert, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Just add an extra 30 minutes to the cooking time if cooking from cold.
Print
Sweet Chili Meatballs Crockpot Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
Description
This Sweet Chili Meatballs Crockpot Recipe combines fully cooked frozen meatballs with a tangy and sweet sauce made of red chili sauce, grape jelly, and pineapple tidbits. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for parties or a casual family dinner, slow-cooked to let the flavors meld beautifully.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 48-ounce bag of fully cooked frozen Homestyle Meatballs
Sauce
- 12 ounces Sweet red chili sauce (Thai Kitchen recommended)
- 20 ounces Grape jelly
- 20-ounce can of Pineapple tidbits, drained
Instructions
- Prepare the meatballs: Place the frozen meatballs directly into the crockpot, ensuring they are evenly distributed at the bottom of the pot.
- Add the sauces and fruit: Pour in the sweet red chili sauce over the meatballs followed by the grape jelly and the drained pineapple tidbits.
- Mix thoroughly: Stir all the ingredients together gently in the crockpot until the meatballs are evenly coated with the sauce mixture.
- Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 1 to 2 hours or on low for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the meatballs to heat through thoroughly.
- Final stir and serve: Uncover the crockpot and stir the meatballs once more to redistribute the sauce before serving.
Notes
- You can use any brand of fully cooked frozen meatballs; just make sure they are thawed slightly to blend better with the sauce.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or substitute with a hot chili sauce.
- This dish pairs well with white rice or steamed vegetables to balance the sweetness of the sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: sweet chili meatballs, crockpot meatballs, slow cooker appetizer, party meatballs, sweet and spicy meatballs
