Description
These Cocktail Meatballs are a delicious party appetizer featuring tender baked beef meatballs simmered in a flavorful sauce made from chili sauce and sweet grape jelly. Perfect for entertaining, they offer a delightful balance of savory and sweet, making them a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 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
Sauce
- 1 (12-ounce) bottle chili sauce
- 1 (10-ounce) jar grape jelly
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, minced onion, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Shape Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on a baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until they are browned and cooked through.
- Prepare Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine the chili sauce, grape jelly, and optional lemon juice in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the mixture is smooth and heated through.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and simmer on low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the meatballs are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the cocktail meatballs warm, using toothpicks for easy eating, or keep warm in a slow cooker to serve during parties or gatherings.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Adding lemon juice is optional but adds a slight tang that balances the sweetness of the grape jelly.
- These meatballs can be made ahead of time and reheated in the sauce before serving.
- For a thicker sauce, simmer it a bit longer before adding the meatballs.
- Perfect appetizer for game day, parties, and casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
