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Easy Appetizer Meatballs

Shruthi
Easy Appetizer Meatballs are juicy, bite-sized treats coated in a rich, glossy sauce.Ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings create tender, flavorful meatballs.Barbecue sauce and grape jelly combine to make a delicious sweet-and-savory glaze.The recipe is perfect for parties, holidays, potlucks, and game-day gatherings.You can prepare the meatballs from scratch or use fully cooked frozen meatballs.Serve them warm with toothpicks for an easy appetizer everyone can enjoy.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 340 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs

  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

For the Sauce

  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • ½ cup grape jelly
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, optional
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
    Mix gently until the ingredients are evenly combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the meatballs dense and tough.
  • Roll the mixture into small, evenly sized balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each meatball.
    You should get approximately 24–30 small meatballs, depending on their size.
  • Bake for approximately 15–20 minutes, depending on the size of the meatballs. Ground beef meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C), measured with a food thermometer.
    Drain excess fat if necessary before adding the meatballs to the sauce.
  • While the meatballs bake, combine the barbecue sauce, grape jelly, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard in a saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until the jelly melts and the sauce becomes smooth.
    If you prefer a little heat, add red pepper flakes. Taste the sauce and adjust the balance of sweetness and tanginess to your liking.
  • Add the cooked meatballs to the saucepan. Gently stir until every meatball is coated with the sauce.
    Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to blend and the sauce to cling to the meatballs.
  • Transfer the meatballs to a serving bowl or small slow cooker set to a safe warming temperature. Insert toothpicks for easy serving and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
    Keep the meatballs hot while serving, and refrigerate leftovers promptly.

Notes

  1. Use consistent sizes: Uniform meatballs cook more evenly and look attractive on a platter.
  2. Avoid overmixing: Gently combine the ingredients to keep the meatballs tender.
  3. Choose your meat: Ground beef offers a rich flavor, while ground turkey provides a lighter alternative.
  4. Adjust the sweetness: Add more or less grape jelly depending on your preference.
  5. Try another preserve: Cranberry sauce or apricot preserves can provide a different flavor profile.
  6. Use a thermometer: Check that homemade beef meatballs reach 160°F (71°C).
  7. Prepare ahead: Shape the meatballs in advance and refrigerate them until ready to cook.
  8. Keep them warm safely: Maintain hot food at 140°F (60°C) or above and refrigerate leftovers within two hours.
Keyword Cocktail meatballs with barbecue sauce, Easy Appetizer Meatballs, Easy Holiday Appetizers, Easy party meatball recipe, Homemade meatballs for parties, sweet and savory meatballs