Description
These Cocktail Meatballs are a classic party favorite featuring tender baked beef meatballs simmered in a tangy and sweet sauce made from chili sauce and grape jelly. Perfect for entertaining, they offer a delightful balance of savory and sweet flavors with a hint of Worcestershire sauce and optional lemon juice to brighten the dish.
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: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs evenly and thoroughly.
- Mix meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, minced onion, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated to ensure flavorful and cohesive meatballs.
- Shape meatballs: Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking. Place them spaced out on a baking sheet.
- Bake meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are browned and cooked through inside.
- Prepare sauce: While the meatballs are baking, combine chili sauce, grape jelly, and lemon juice (if using) in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and heated through.
- Simmer meatballs in sauce: Once meatballs are baked, add them to the saucepan with the sauce. Simmer on low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat the meatballs evenly with the sweet and tangy sauce.
- Serve: Serve the cocktail meatballs warm, either garnished with toothpicks for easy serving or keep them warm in a slow cooker if entertaining guests.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute bread crumbs with gluten-free bread crumbs.
- Adding lemon juice is optional but adds a nice brightness to the sauce.
- These meatballs can be made ahead and reheated in the sauce before serving.
- Keeping them warm in a slow cooker is ideal for parties and gatherings.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner alternative to beef.
