Put Meatballs in a Slow Cooker with These 3 Ingredients: An Easy Recipe Everyone Will Love

Sometimes, the most unforgettable meals are the simplest ones — no complicated steps, no hard-to-find ingredients, just real flavor that speaks for itself. If you’re looking for a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing dish that practically cooks itself, this 3-ingredient slow cooker meatball recipe might just become your new go-to.

Whether you’re feeding a family, hosting game night, or meal prepping for the week, this recipe checks every box: easy, affordable, delicious — and yes, even a little addictive.

The Secret: 3 Simple Ingredients

Here’s what makes this recipe a winner: it uses only three everyday ingredients that come together in the slow cooker to create something comforting, tangy, and surprisingly complex in flavor.

You’ll Need:

Frozen meatballs – About 2 pounds (store-bought or homemade). Beef, turkey, or even plant-based — any variety works.
Grape jelly – 1 cup. Don’t worry — it won’t taste like dessert. It adds a deep, sweet richness.
BBQ sauce – 1 cup. Choose your favorite brand. Smoky, spicy, or sweet — it’s up to you.

Why It Works

This unlikely trio has become a cult favorite because of its bold, balanced flavor. The grape jelly melts down into a syrupy glaze that pairs perfectly with the savory meatballs, while the BBQ sauce brings that hit of smoke, tang, and umami that pulls it all together.

The slow cooker does the magic — letting the flavors blend and soak into the meatballs over a few hours without any effort on your part.