Description
Savory and sweet cocktail meatballs simmered in a rich blend of grape jelly and chili sauce. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or game days, these bite-sized treats are easy to make and always a hit.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 egg
1/4 cup bread crumbs
2 tablespoons minced onion
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 (12-ounce) bottle chili sauce
1 (10-ounce) jar grape jelly
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, minced onion, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs for 20–25 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
- While the meatballs bake, prepare the sauce by combining chili sauce, grape jelly, and lemon juice (if using) in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until smooth and heated through.
- Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat evenly.
- Serve warm with toothpicks or keep warm in a slow cooker for entertaining.
Notes
Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicier version.
Ground turkey or pork can be used instead of beef.
Try cranberry or apricot preserves in place of grape jelly for variation.
Add a clove of minced garlic to the meatball mixture for extra flavor.
Serve over rice or mashed potatoes for a fuller meal.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat gently in a saucepan or microwave.
Freeze baked meatballs with or without sauce and reheat from frozen.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
