We are hosting a few friends for New Years Eve. When I thought about what to serve, Crockpot meatballs came to mind. You know those tangy, sweet ones that you eat with a toothpick? Yes, those. When I went to look up a recipe, the same three ingredients kept coming up: frozen, pre-cooked meatballs, grape jelly, and barbecue sauce. I was immediately intrigued. This is a recipe that needed upgrading. I have maintained the ease and simplicity but gave this dish a Healthified twist:

Frozen, pre-cooked meatballs → one pound grass-fed ground beef
Conventional grape jelly → this brand that I found on Amazon. It is sweetened only with fruit
Conventional barbecue sauce → Primal Kitchen Classic BBQ sauce (it inherently has upgraded ingredients)

Why You’ll Love These Healthier Crock Pot Meatballs

Only 3 ingredients
Minimal prep, maximum payoff
Crowd-pleasing (kids + adults)
Easy to digest compared to heavily seasoned or fried meatballs
Perfect for busy weeknights, hosting, or meal prep

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 lb grass-fed ground beef
1 10-ounce jar of Polaner grape jelly (or grape jelly of choice)
1 8.5-ounce bottle of Primal Kitchen BBQ sauce (or BBQ sauce of choice)

Using grass-fed beef a cleaner BBQ sauce like Primal Kitchen and sugar-free grape jelly keeps this recipe grounded in real food with a hint of nostalgia.

How to Make Crock Pot Meatballs

Form the ground beef into evenly sized meatballs.
Pour and mix the grape jelly and BBQ sauce in the bowl of a crock pot.
Place meatballs in the crock pot in a single layer if possible and stir gently to coat.
Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until meatballs are cooked through and tender.
Stir gently before serving to coat everything in sauce.

Serving Ideas for these Crock Pot Meatballs

Over white rice or steamed and mashed (sweet) potatoes
With steamed carrots or other veggies
As a party appetizer with toothpicks
On a simple sourdough roll for sliders

Healthified Tips & Substitutions

Use ground chicken or turkey instead of ground beef.
Serve with warm, cooked sides.
If reheating, warm slowly to keep meatballs tender.
Leftovers keep well for 3–4 days in the fridge

Sometimes making something healthier doesn’t require reinventing the wheel. It simply means looking at what you already have and asking, how can I upgrade this? This recipe is proof that food doesn’t need to be complicated to feel good or taste great.

Easy 3-Ingredient Crockpot Meatballs {Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free}

These easy 3-ingredient crock pot meatballs are a Healthified twist on a classic comfort recipe. Made with grass-fed beef, Primal Kitchen BBQ sauce, and sugar-free grape jelly, they’re perfect for busy weeknights, gatherings, or anytime you want something nostalgic without overcomplicating dinner.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 10

Course Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course

Servings 6 servings

Equipment

Crockpot or large pot

Ingredients

1 pound grass-fed ground beef
1 10-ounce jar of sugar-free grape jelly I like Polaner brand
1 8.5-ounce bottle of Primal Kitchen BBQ sauce or BBQ sauce of choice

Instructions

Form the ground beef into evenly sized meatballs.
Pour and mix the grape jelly and BBQ sauce in the bowl of a crock pot.
Place meatballs in the crock pot in a single layer if possible and stir gently to coat.
Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until meatballs are cooked through and tender. You can also pre-bake the meatballs if desired. Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 12 minutes. Then cook in the crockpot on low with the sauce for 2-3 hours.
Stir gently before serving to coat everything in sauce. Serve warm