co*cktail Meatballs (Sweet and Sour Sauce) (2024)

co*cktail Meatballs in a super easy sweet and sour sauce with a subtle kick of heat! The best appetizer!

An instant hit at your table. Juicy, tender co*cktail meatballs simmered in an irresistibly sticky, sweet and sour sauce are so addictive your guests won’t stop at one.

Watch them disappear in minutes!

co*ckTAIL MEATBALLS

This co*cktail meatballs recipe needs to come with a disclaimer. I never see meatballs disappear so fast as I do when I put these in the middle of a table.

Make the meatballs from scratchORif you’re pressed for time, buy plain, frozen ready-made meatballs and add them into the 4-ingredient sauce.

(Don’t use seasoned meatballs as they may clash with the flavours in the sauce. Garlic meatballs are fine to use.)

HOW DO YOU MAKE PARTY MEATBALLS?

This meatball recipe is easy to make with minimal ingredients. Just like most meatball recipes, you’re going to combine together lean ground beef (mince), onion, ketchup (tomato sauce for Aussies), Worcestershire sauce andbreadcrumbs.

Use a small cookie scoop (approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons capacity) to scoop them out and roll into balls.

Bake them in the oven for about 25 minutes until they’re cooked, then throw them into our incredible sweet and sour sauce for the most irresistibleco*cktail meatballs.

SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE FOR MEATBALLS

The sauce itself is so easy to prepare, with ingredients I’ll bet you already have or can get your hands on in a flash:

• Cranberry jelly (not whole cranberry sauce). You can also use Grape jelly if you have it on hand.
• Chili sauce: Use the Heinz chili sauce in a bottle that has aketchup consistency. You can find it next to all of the ketchups in your store.
• Brown sugar — light or dark.
• White vinegar, apple cider vinegar or fresh squeezed lemon juice.

FOUR ingredients for one of the best sauces you’ll try for co*cktail meatballs.

Heat all of the ingredients in a skillet until combined.

Add in your meatballs and let them simmer for a good hour before serving.

Don’t skip this step. The sauce needs time to simmer and settle into the meatballs, tenderising them while blending all of the flavours together.

This is what makes your co*cktail meatballs stand out from the rest.

CROCK POT MEATBALLS

You can also add the meatballs with sauce into a 3 or 4 quart (litre) capacity crock pot or slow cooker bowl and simmer them on low heat setting for an hour before your guests arrive.

Flick the switch to ‘keep warm’ setting so your guests can enjoy fresh, warm co*cktail meatballs throughout the evening!

MAKE AHEAD

If making your meatballs from scratch, prepare them (rolled into balls) up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate in airtight containers.

When you need them: get your sauce going, throw in the meatballs (crock pot or skillet), simmer on low for an hour, switch to keep warm and voila! Easy co*cktail meatballs!

Looking for more appetizers? Try these recipes!

Swedish Meatballs
Teriyaki Beef Meatballs
Mongolian Glazed Meatballs