Easy Cocktail Meatballs are the perfect appetizer made with meatballs, grape jelly, and chili sauce – only 3 ingredients! Give them a try!
Indulge in the simplicity and deliciousness of Easy Cocktail Meatballs, also known as Grape Jelly Meatballs. With just three ingredients – grape jelly, Heinz chili sauce, and frozen meatballs – you’ll whip up a flavorful appetizer that’s perfect for family gatherings and parties. The secret of crockpot meatballs lies in the sweet grape jelly melding with zesty chili sauce, creating an irresistible glaze that coats the meatballs. Cooking these juicy meatballs is a breeze; it’s a recipe suited for chefs of all levels. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or a cozy family dinner, these meatballs will be a hit. Appetizers are an important part of any party, and our kitchen has been busy perfecting our Spicy Louisiana Shrimp Dip, P.F. Chang’s Lettuce Wraps (copycat), and Sausage Balls!
Cooked meatballs made with simple ingredients are perfect for your next holiday party. Imagine the smiles as you serve these bite-sized flavor bombs. Kids adore the sweetness, and adults appreciate the balance of flavors. It’s a dish that bridges generations. In a world of complex recipes, Easy Cocktail Meatballs stand out for their simplicity and incredible taste. So, go ahead, give them a try, and let the good times roll.
Table of contents
- Sabrina’s Cocktail Meatballs Recipe
- Ingredients
- Kitchen Tools & Equipment
- How to Make Cocktail Meatballs
- Nutritional Facts
- Tips and Tricks
- How to Store Leftovers
- Best Ways to Serve Cocktail Meatballs
- Alternative Cooking Techniques
- How to Thicken Cocktail Meatballs
- Frequent Questions
- Variations on Cocktail Meatballs
Sabrina’s Cocktail Meatballs Recipe
Of all the Cocktail Meatball recipes, this one is probably the easiest and a top crowd favorite! Sabrina’s “Cocktail Meatballs Recipe” is a delightful appetizer that stands out for its sweet flavor and savory flavor combination. This unique version of the classic dish features a delectable glaze crafted from grape jelly and Heinz chili sauce, enveloping frozen meatballs to create a fabulous flavor profile.
Originating in the United States, this recipe is a beloved staple at gatherings and celebrations. What sets Sabrina’s version apart is its exceptional balance of flavors, blending the accessible simplicity of primary ingredients with a harmonious taste experience. This rendition can seamlessly fit into casual family dinners or elevate the spread at festive occasions.
Can Cocktail Meatballs be Made Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! One of the great advantages of this recipe is its make-ahead convenience. You can prepare the meatball mixture with grape jelly and chili sauce ingredients a day or two in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply transfer the mixture to your slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours. This allows you to save time on the day of your gathering while still ensuring a fresh and flavorful appetizer for your guests.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Grape Jelly: Adds sweetness and smooth texture to the glaze, complementing the chili sauce’s zestiness. Can be substituted with other fruit jellies like apricot or raspberry for a variation in flavor. Cranberry sauce is also popular.
- 16 ounces Heinz Chili Sauce: Provides tangy and spicy notes, enhancing the depth of the glaze. If Heinz chili sauce is unavailable, you can opt for other chili sauces or create a similar effect by combining ketchup and hot sauce.
- 32 ounces Frozen Meatballs: Convenient and absorbent, these meatballs save time and absorb the flavorful glaze, resulting in a delectable appetizer. Alternatively, you can use homemade meatballs made with lean ground beef, but ensure they are pre-cooked before adding them to the glaze.
Kitchen Tools & Equipment
- Mixing Bowl: A mixing bowl is necessary to combine the grape jelly and Heinz chili sauce with ease. There’s no specific size requirement, but choose one that accommodates the ingredients without spilling.
- Slow Cooker: You’ll require a slow cooker for the cooking process. Any standard slow cooker will work; sizes can vary, so use what you have available.
- Stirring Spoon: A sturdy stirring spoon is needed to thoroughly coat the frozen meatballs with the grape jelly and chili sauce.
How to Make Cocktail Meatballs
Time needed: 4 hours and 5 minutes.
- Step 1: Mix the Glaze
In a medium bowl, combine grape jelly and Heinz chili sauce.
- Step 2: Coat the Meatballs
Stir in the frozen meatballs.
- Step 3: Slow Cook
Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Cook on low (not medium heat) for 3-4 hours.
- Step 4: Enjoy!
Serve your party meatballs with sauce – it’s the perfect appetizer!
Nutritional Facts
Tips and Tricks
Check out our pro tips! And feel free to share your tips and tricks in the comments so we can make these Cocktail Meatballs even more delicious together!
- Taste and Adjust: Before adding the glaze to the meatballs, taste the mixture of grape jelly and Heinz chili sauce. Adjust the sweetness or spiciness by adding more jelly or chili sauce to match your preferences.
- If you don’t have Heinz chili sauce, you can use equal parts regular ketchup in this recipe.
- If it’s not salty enough, just add a teaspoon salt and serve. Kosher salt is perfect for this.
- Thaw Frozen Meatballs: If using frozen meatballs, allow them to thaw slightly before adding them to the glaze. This helps them absorb the flavors better and ensures even cooking. Besides, nobody likes eating frozen Cocktail Meatballs.
- Garnish Creatively: Add a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs or sesame seeds before serving for an extra burst of flavor and an appealing presentation.
- Serving Ideas: Cocktail Meatballs can be served as appetizers with toothpicks or as a main dish with rice or noodles. Get creative with your presentation!
- Common Mistake to Avoid: Overcooking can result in tough meatballs. Be mindful of the cooking time to keep them tender and flavorful.
- Lighter Meatballs: Lighten this recipe up by making homemade meatballs out of ground turkey and using sugar free grape jelly. Homemade meatball ingredients will vary.
- Darker Meatballs: Add ¼ cup of dark brown sugar, whisked together with the jelly, to give the meatballs a richer more molasses flavor.
How to Store Leftovers
- Storing Leftovers: After enjoying your meatballs, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to three days to maintain their flavor and texture. Avoid extended storage as the glaze can break down.
- Reheating Tips: To reheat, gently simmer the meatballs on the stovetop, adding a bit of water if needed. Microwave briefly, or use an oven at low heat to maintain their deliciousness.
- Freezing Meatballs: For long-term storage (2-3 months), freeze the meatballs in an airtight container. Ensure they’re completely cooled to preserve quality.
Best Ways to Serve Cocktail Meatballs
Explore these serving ideas to impress your guests and elevate your cocktail meatball experience. Share your own tips and tricks in the comments below!
- Classic Appetizer Style: Create an elegant appetizer platter by arranging the cocktail meatballs on toothpicks. Serve them alongside a dipping sauce for a delightful finger food experience.
- Meatball Sliders: Transform your cocktail meatballs into sliders. Place them in small buns, add a slice of cheese, and top with lettuce or coleslaw. These mini sandwiches are perfect for casual gatherings or game-day snacks.
- Meatball Skewers Thread cocktail meatballs onto skewers alternating with colorful bell peppers and onions. Grill or broil them for a smoky flavor. The vibrant presentation and grill marks make this a visually appealing dish.
- Meatball Bowl: Serve cocktail meatballs over a bed of cooked rice or noodles, drizzle with glaze, and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. This bowl offers a balanced and filling meal.
Alternative Cooking Techniques
How to Make Air-Fried Meatballs
If you desire a crispier texture, opt for air frying. The hot circulating air in the air fryer results in a deliciously crispy exterior while preserving the tender meatball interior. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C), arrange the meatballs in a single layer, and cook for approximately 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even browning.
How to Make Cocktail Meatballs in the Instant Pot
If you want something a little faster than the oven or the crock pot, you can make these meatballs in the instant pot.
- Place your frozen meatballs in the Instant Pot.
- Whisk together ½ tablespoon cornstarch, grape jelly, and chili sauce. Pour it over the meatballs.
- With manual setting, set the temperature to high for 10 minutes, and natural release.
How to Make Cocktail Meatballs in the Oven
If you don’t have a free crockpot, you can also make these meatballs in the oven. Just grease a large baking dish and add the frozen meatballs. Whisk together the grape jelly and chili sauce and pour it over the meatballs, then place the coated meatballs on a lined baking sheet and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes and up to 30 minutes (or until the meatballs are heated through).
You can also make Oven-Baked Meatballs to speed up the process, then just use the crock pot to keep meatballs warm while you’re serving appetizers.
If you’re using an uncooked meatball recipe, you may have to increase the time until the meatballs reach 165 degrees F in the middle.
How to Thicken Cocktail Meatballs
If your meatballs end up in too thin of a sauce, you can easily thicken it in the slow cooker. Mix a tablespoon of corn starch with ¼ cup cold water. Pour into the slow cooker and stir into the sauce. Close the lid on the slow cooker and let it cook until the sauce thickens up.
Frequent Questions
Yes, you can use fresh meatballs if you prefer. However, ensure they are fully cooked before adding the glaze.
Absolutely! You can prepare the glaze in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
Certainly, you can experiment with different fruit jellies like apricot or raspberry to vary the flavor.
Yes, you can find vegetarian or vegan meatball options at many grocery stores. Just make sure they are fully cooked before coating them in the glaze.
Yes. You can use Swedish meatballs. They are great served with lingonberry as the jelly used. You can also use Italian meatballs. Any seasoned meatballs should work.
If you want to make your own meatballs, you can put them in the slow cooker raw and let them cook in the grape jelly sauce until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. This temperature goes for ground beef, turkey, or ground pork meatballs.
If your meatballs are falling apart, your recipe may call for too much or too little bread crumbs or eggs. You can also try frying or baking the meatballs before adding them to the slow cooker to help them hold their shape better. Try our Easy Homemade Meatballs for a tried-and-true recipe (and another favorite meatball recipe!).
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Ingredients
- 16 ounces grape jelly
- 16 ounces Heinz chili sauce
- 32 ounces frozen meatballs
Instructions
- Mix grape jelly and chili sauce in mixing bowl until well combined, then stir in frozen meatballs until well coated.
- Add to slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
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Variations on Cocktail Meatballs
- Spicy Kick: To add some heat to your meatballs, substitute Heinz chili sauce with a spicier hot sauce like Sriracha, and maybe some black pepper. This will give your meatballs a fiery kick, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of heat.
- Sweet and Tangy Flavor: Experiment with the glaze by using different fruit jellies such as apricot or raspberry instead of grape jelly. This variation introduces a delightful sweetness and tanginess that pairs beautifully with the meatballs. You can also add an extra ½ cup grape jelly for more sweetness.
- Healthier Option: For a healthier twist, opt for turkey or chicken meatballs instead of beef. You can also reduce the sugar content by using a sugar-free fruit spread.
- Vegetarian Delight: Create vegetarian meatballs by using plant-based meat alternatives. Coat them with the same glaze for a delicious veggie-friendly option.
- Asian Fusion: For an Asian-inspired twist, replace the grape jelly with sweet and sour sauce and add some ginger and soy sauce to the mix. These seasonings will transform your meatballs into an exotic appetizer.
- Italian Flair: Infuse your meatballs with Italian flavors by adding dried oregano, basil, and grated Parmesan cheese to the mix. Serve them with marinara sauce for an Italian-inspired twist.
More Yummy Party Appetizers
I thought these were kinda on the sweet side. I will make again, but would cut the jelly down to 10-12 oz. and kick up the chili sauce to 18-20 oz. Thinking that’s a better mix.
Which type of frozen meatballs ?
(Italian, home style, etc.)
You decide!
I make homemade meatballs. I always make ahead, freeze then defrost before baking. I’ve used a crock pot to keep them warm during party. Can frozen raw meatballs be cooked in slow cooker?
Yes but keep in mind frozen meat gives off liquid and you may need to heat the last few minutes without the lid to allow extra liquid to dissipate. You don’t want your sauce to be diluted.
Can you use instapot to slow cook the meatballs? Should you use low medium or high setting for slow ccoking?
I’m guessing yes but I haven’t tested it the kitchen. Did you try it in your instapot and if so, how did they turn out?!
I use cranberry sauce instead of grape jelly and add 1/4 cup brown sugar and dash of Worcestershire sauce. I use frozen meatballs, smokies, and some sliced kielbasa.
Would seafood sauce work in place of chili sauce? I think it would just be a little spicier?
I haven’t tested this recipe using seafood sauce but yes, it would be spicier! How did the Cocktail Meatballs turn out for you with seafood sauce?
I used this recipe many times. One day I decided to add a table spoon of horseradish to the the pot. It was great, my friends loved it. Both ways are great.
Barbara Hausmann
Can this recipe be made with freshly made meatballs? Or meatballs not made in a slow cooker?
Thank you,
I was wondering the same thing.
I think I have some of the ingredients to make fresh meatballs.
The frozen ones in our local Walmart are crazy expensive!
Yes!
I am ready to make this recipe for a retirement party. Do Italian style meatballs work? Thanks
I have not been able to find Heinz chili sauce. can any chili sauce work?
Should work just fine.
Will sriracha chili sauce work for this?
It’ll give it more heat but go for it!
Oh my goodness the cocktail meatballs call for so few ingredients. And easy prep too.
Can you make these from scratch with raw meatballs? If so, at what temperature and for how long? Mel Heinrichs
Yes, if you want to make your own meatballs, you can put them in the slow cooker raw and let them cook in the grape jelly sauce until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. This temperature goes for ground beef, turkey, or pork meatballs. Good luck!
Is the receipt for homemade balls on pintrist
Here is the direct link:
https://dinnerthendessert.com/easy-homemade-meatballs/
How long would I cook this if using an instant pot? My slow cooker is in use already. Thanks!
Using a manual setting, set the temperature to high for 10 minutes and then complete a natural release. Enjoy!
What kind of frozen meatballs do you use, plain or Italian? I’ve made this many times before but haven’t for a while and don’t remember what I used.
You can use whatever you prefer. I believe I used plain for this recipe though. Enjoy!
Great recipe. As is, everyone loved it. After a bit, I added some little smokies to add a little bit of a textural difference and I remembered that my mom did something similar when I was a kid with smoke sausage. Both ways, we loved it. Thanks for the recipe.
Sounds delicious!
How long in the crock pot if the meatballs are thawed?
Are the thawed meatballs cooked or uncooked?
Hello, can I make this recipe using a 1.5 quart slow cooker?
No, the slow cooker will become overcrowded and won’t cook thoroughly. You’ll need to use at least a 3 qt slow cooker for this recipe unless you want to cut the recipe in half.
I have had this “dish” at parties, and thought it was quite GOOD! So glad I was able to find your recipe! QUESTION: Do you think it would be OK to double the recipe?
Yes 🙂
I have a work potluck to go to, can I make them the day before and then reheat them in the crockpot at work the next day?
Certainly! Or you can always put assemble them first thing in the morning at work and put them on high and they will be ready by lunch.
Can this recipe be made with raspberry jelly–NO Seeds?
Yes! I have made it with raspberry jelly, it’s delicious.
Thinking about making these for Thanksgiving. Can I replace with turkey meatballs?
Certainly! They will taste just as yummy!
I’d like to try these using some home made strawberry jalapeño fig jelly. How would you recommend adjusting the recipe? Do is still need chili sauce/ketchup?
I haven’t tried this with a jelly with that kind of unique flavor, but I say play around with it and let me know how it turns out!
You literally never say how to cook them in the crockpot….
What temperature?
How long beforehand?
It’s all in the recipe card. Cook of low for 3-4 hours. Enjoy!
Can you leave it on low for 5 hrs?
You can but they might be a bit mushy and the sauce may be thicker. Instead, I would switch it to warm after 4 hours if your slow cooker doesn’t automatically switch over.
What would you make to go along with this when serving as a dinner/main entree rather than an appetizer.
After some thought – I would definitely serve these with a potato or lightly seasoned noodles – something like my Easy Mashed Potatoes
https://dinnerthendessert.com/easy-mashed-potatoes-10-add-in-ideas/
Hope this helps!
If you use the oven method, what temperature to you bake it at and for how long?
Cook them for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. I hope you enjoy them!
Wow, this looks incredibly delicious!!! My family would love it.
Enjoy!
These are the best! I always serve appetizers on Christmas Eve, these will be super easy!
Definitely!
Such an easy appetizer idea! Definitely trying this.
Enjoy!
Can I reheat them in the crockpot and for how long? Thanks!
These cocktail meatballs look so good. All your tips were helpful too!
So glad you found them helpful. Enjoy!
One of my all time favorite finger foods. Yours sounds so delicious.
Thanks, Becky!
This recipes could not be easier or more delicious! Perfect for parties.
You say that: “If you don’t have Heinz chili sauce, you can use equal parts regular ketchup in this recipe.” Equal parts regular ketchup and what??
Sorry for the confusion. I just meant that you can substitute with the same amount of regular ketchup as the chili sauce. It will adjust the flavor though. Hope this helps.
iv’e never thought about using jelly to get that sweet savory flavor, great idea! Thanks for the pointers! I cant wait to try it!
Enjoy!
What brand od frozen meat balls are the best??
I don’t have a favorite brand, I like to switch it up. Sometimes I even make them myself or use turkey.
Can you use regular sized Italian meatballs and if so do you need to adjust the amounts of ingredients?
I’m not sure what you mean by regular sized. These were standard frozen meatballs. If you are using larger sized meatballs, you would adjust the ingredients depending how many and how large. Hope this helps.
Costco meatballs are perfect!
I thawed meatballs before I found this recipe. Will they still cook OK in the slow cooker.
yes, just shave an hour off the cook time.