Southern Meatballs
This Southern Meatball Recipe only requires 3 ingredients to make. Slow cook them in a crock pot or heat them up on the stove. Perfect for parties, events, or an evening at home.
- Prep Time5 min
- Cook Time4 hr
- Total Time4 hr 5 min
- Ready in10 min - 6 hours
- Serving Size6-8
Ingredients
- 2 lb Meatballs
- 1 - 28 oz Bottle of BBQ Sauce
- 1 - 30 oz Jar Grape Jelly
Method
Way #1 - Slow Cooker
Pour the BBQ Sauce and Grape Jelly into a crock pot. Stir together until combined.
Next, add the meatballs and stir until they are covered. Cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 6 hours. Enjoy over rice!
Way #2 - Over the Stove
In a large pot, pour in the BBQ Sauce and Grape Jelly. Stir to combine. Next, add the meatballs, cover in sauce, and cook on medium until they are heated through stirring occasionally. If it looks like the sauce is drying out or burning, add in a little water. Enjoy over rice!
This recipe is very forgiving. If you want it sweeter, use a bit more jelly. If you want it more “barbeque-ey”, add more BBQ sauce.
Southern Meatballs - Video
Southern Meatballs - Method
I grew up in Idaho, but my husband is from the south. We’ve recently relocated back to his home state in Georgia and all in all it’s been a great move for us. We have family around, cousins to play with, and of course, new foods to try. To be honest, I was a bit skeptical of southern cuisine. Frog legs, pork and beans, and collard greens just didn’t seem up my ally. There have been some great surprises though and I’m glad to share this one. My sisters-in-law first introduced me to these Southern Meatballs, and I have to say, they are ridiculously good! Better yet, they taste like you’ve been working on some complex flavor combinations, but in reality, you’ve just dumped a few things together.
This recipe is very forgiving. If you’re shopping and you find a larger bottle of BBQ Sauce compared to the grape jelly, or vice versa, no worries! My sister-in-law explained it to me like this – If you add more grape jelly in, it will just be a bit sweeter. If you add more BBQ sauce in, it will just be more “BBQ-ey”. I love this! No stress recipes that taste good no matter what. Double, triple, quadruple this recipe, it don’t matter!
These Southern Meatballs are also very versatile. You can cook them on the stove if you need them quickly, or you can plan ahead and cook them in a crock pot. We love eating these meatballs served on top of rice. If you’re looking for easy game day food, omit the rice, and add a toothpick.
Crock Pot Method
Alright! Let’s get to it. In a crockpot add in all of your BBQ Sauce and Grape Jelly. Stir to combine. Pour in your meatballs and cover completely. Set on high for 4 hours, or on low for 6 hours….and you’re done.
Pro Tip: If you’re wanting to cook these on low for 8 hours, add 1/4 cup of water to the sauce to prevent burning or drying out.
Stove Top Method
In a large pot on the stove, add in all of your BBQ Sauce and Grape Jelly. Stir to combine. Pour in your meatballs and cover completely. On medium heat, cook the sauce and meatballs until the meatballs are heated through…and you’re done.
PRO TIP: If you’re worried your sauce is drying out and might burn, add a bit of water.
Whether you’re looking for a great game day recipe, slow cooker recipe, or just a quick easy and delicious meal for the family, I hope these Southern Meatballs hit the spot for you.
