Cocktail Meatballs: Sweet, Savory, and Irresistibly Tender
Cocktail Meatballs are juicy, tender meatballs simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce made with grape jelly and chili sauce. Their rich flavor, bite-sized convenience, and easy preparation make them a favorite appetizer for parties and gatherings. The sauce caramelizes beautifully around the meatballs, creating a glossy coating packed with flavor. Whether made from scratch or using prepared meatballs, they are always a crowd-pleaser. Easy to prepare ahead of time, they can be kept warm in a slow cooker for effortless entertaining. These classic party appetizers remain a timeless favorite for every occasion.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Sauce
- 1 cup grape jelly
- 1 cup chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
Prepare the Meatballs
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.Mix gently until combined.Roll into 1-inch meatballs.
Bake the Meatballs
- Arrange meatballs on a lined baking sheet.Bake for 18–20 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Make the Sauce
- In a large saucepan, combine grape jelly, chili sauce, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar.Heat over medium heat, stirring until smooth.
Combine
- Add cooked meatballs to the sauce.Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.Coat all meatballs evenly with the sauce.
Serve
- Transfer to a serving dish or slow cooker.Garnish with parsley or green onions.Serve warm with toothpicks.
Notes
- Frozen meatballs can be used for convenience.
- The sauce can be made ahead of time.
- Keep warm in a slow cooker during parties.
- Ground turkey can replace beef and pork.
- Homemade meatballs provide the best flavor.
- Sauce thickens as it cooks.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day.
- Great for holiday entertaining.