Crockpot frozen meatballs are the lowest-effort party food there is. A bag of fully cooked frozen meatballs goes straight into the slow cooker with a 2 or 3-ingredient sauce, and 3 to 4 hours later you have glossy, saucy meatballs ready for toothpicks.
Below you will find our favorite grape jelly sauce plus 2 more easy options. We use all-beef or turkey frozen meatballs; check the package if you need a specific type of meat.
Why You Will Love This Crockpot Frozen Meatballs
- No thawing. Fully cooked frozen meatballs go in straight from the bag.
- 3 ingredients. Meatballs plus 2 sauce ingredients.
- Feeds a crowd. A 2 lb bag makes about 60 cocktail meatballs.
- Holds on WARM. Perfect for parties, potlucks and game day.
Ingredients for Crockpot Frozen Meatballs
- Frozen meatballs: 2 lb (900 g) fully cooked cocktail-size meatballs. All-beef, chicken or turkey meatballs all work. Only use pre-cooked meatballs this way.
- Grape jelly sauce: Chili sauce (the kind sold near the ketchup) and grape jelly melt into a sweet, tangy glaze.
- Honey BBQ sauce: 18 oz BBQ sauce plus 1/4 cup honey and 1 tsp garlic powder.
- Marinara sauce: 24 oz jar of marinara with 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning; top with mozzarella at the end for meatball sliders.
How to Make Crockpot Frozen Meatballs
Step 1: Add the meatballs
Pour the frozen meatballs into a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker.
Step 2: Mix the sauce
Whisk the chili sauce, grape jelly and lemon juice together and pour over the meatballs. Stir to coat.
Step 3: Slow cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, stirring once or twice, until the meatballs are heated through to 165°F (74°C).
Step 4: Serve warm
Stir, switch to WARM, and serve with toothpicks.
Tips for the Best Crockpot Frozen Meatballs
- Stir halfway. The jelly melts and settles, so a stir coats every meatball.
- Check the center. Cut a meatball in half to make sure it is hot all the way through.
- Do not overfill. Keep the crock no more than two-thirds full so the sauce heats evenly.
- Make sliders. Tuck saucy meatballs into slider buns with a slice of provolone.
What to Serve with Crockpot Frozen Meatballs
Set them out with crockpot buffalo chicken dip and a veggie tray, or serve over rice as an easy dinner. More party ideas are in our crockpot appetizers.
Easy Variations
- Honey BBQ. 18 oz BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 1 tsp garlic powder.
- Marinara. 24 oz marinara plus 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning.
- Sweet chili. 12 oz Thai sweet chili sauce plus 2 tbsp soy sauce.
- Cranberry. 14 oz can whole cranberry sauce plus 12 oz chili sauce for the holidays.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate leftovers in the sauce for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove until hot. Leftover sauced meatballs freeze for up to 3 months.
Equipment I Used
- 4 to 6-quart slow cooker: the right size for this recipe. Fill it between half and two-thirds full for even cooking.
- 3-piece ceramic serving bowl set: takes food straight from the crock to the table.
- Stainless steel measuring cups and spoons: for sauces and spice blends.
- Large airtight food storage container: for leftovers and freezer portions.
New to slow cooking? The Easy Slow Cooker Recipes guide is a beginner-friendly collection of easy crockpot breakfasts and dinners.
Crockpot Frozen Meatballs
Ingredients
Method
- Pour the frozen meatballs into a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker.
- Whisk the chili sauce, grape jelly and lemon juice together and pour over the meatballs. Stir to coat.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, stirring once or twice, until the meatballs are heated through to 165°F (74°C).
- Stir, switch to WARM, and serve with toothpicks.
Notes
Crockpot Frozen Meatballs FAQ
Can you put frozen meatballs in a crockpot without thawing?
Yes, if they are fully cooked frozen meatballs. They heat safely in the sauce in about 4 hours on LOW. Do not use raw frozen meatballs this way.
How long do frozen meatballs take in the crockpot?
About 4 hours on LOW or 2 to 3 hours on HIGH, until hot in the center.
How many meatballs do I need per person?
Plan about 4 to 5 cocktail meatballs per person as an appetizer, or 8 to 10 as a main dish.
Do I need to add water to crockpot meatballs?
No. The sauce provides all the moisture they need.
