Easy Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs with Grape Jelly

Gluten-free Swedish meatballs are a mouthwatering treat perfect for dinner, as an appetizer, or to take to a potluck meal. This is a GF version of a traditional recipe passed down from my mom.

Growing up, my mom had a few unique recipes that I loved, and one was her Swedish meatballs. I didn’t always know the proper names; to me, this was just her grape jelly meatballs recipe.

More than just a favorite recipe, making these meatballs is a special memory. My sister and I felt so grown-up rolling the meatballs. It made us feel like we were part of something special.

Years later, I found my mom’s old recipe box and rediscovered the meatball recipe. Like most of her recipes, this one needed to be adjusted for my gluten-free diet. But it was easy, as I simply replaced the regular bread crumbs with a gluten-free version. Now, I can relive those cherished memories and enjoy the meatballs without any worries.

What you need to make gluten-free Swedish meatballs

Ensure that each ingredient is gluten-free to guarantee that the finished meatballs are gluten-free. The links below show products that are gluten-free. We endeavor to use organic ingredients where possible.

• Ground beef – leaner is best
• Egg – to hold everything together
• Gluten-free bread crumbs
• Grape jelly – my mom always used Smucker’s, but today we are gluten-free.
• Heinz chili sauce – more tangy than spicy, I think this was my mom’s secret ingredient.
• Lemon juice
• Salt and black pepper

Tips for making this grape jelly meatball recipe

1. For the best texture, do not overmix the meat. The easiest way to do this is to form the balls with your hands (see why kids love it so much).
2. Keep the size of your meatballs uniform for even cooking.
3. Simmer the meatballs gently in the sauce; boiling can cause them to fall apart.
4. If you find the sauce too thick, add a little water or broth to adjust the consistency to your liking.
5. Let the meatballs rest in the sauce for a few minutes after cooking to enhance the flavors.

Serving suggestions

These gluten-free Swedish meatballs are incredibly versatile. Serve them over a bed of fluffy rice or gluten-free pasta for a satisfying meal smoothered in it’s own sauce.

However, when used as easy cocktail meatballs, scoop them out of the sauce with a slotted spoon and arrange them with toothpicks on a platter.

They pair beautifully with a simple salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.

For dessert, I like something light like air-fryer apples, almond cookies, or black forest chia pudding.

Some readers have asked . . .

What makes these easy cocktail meatballs gluten-free

The key is using gluten-free bread crumbs, which substitute perfectly for traditional bread crumbs, and checking the grape jelly and chili sauce ingredients.

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can prepare and shape the meatballs a day ahead and refrigerate them. Cook them in the sauce when you’re ready to serve. They also freeze well.

Our gluten-free Swedish meatballs

Will you try this grape jelly meatballs recipe?

More of our favorite gluten-free meat meals

Photo Credits:

All photos on this page are shot by our team, the guest author, or stock images from Depositphotos.