Description
Cocktail Meatballs are bite-sized meatballs simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce, perfect for parties and gatherings as an easy and crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chili sauce
- 1 cup grape jelly
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until cooked through and browned.
- While meatballs bake, combine chili sauce, grape jelly, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard (if using) in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until smooth and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add baked meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat evenly.
- Transfer to a serving dish or keep warm in a slow cooker. Garnish with parsley and serve with toothpicks.
Notes
- Can be made ahead and kept warm in a slow cooker for serving.
- Try with turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version.
- The sauce can be made spicier by adding a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg