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    Home > Appetizers and Beverages > Meatballs with Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce

    Meatballs with Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce

    Published: Dec 16, 2013 · Modified: May 24, 2022 by Lea Ann Brown · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Grape Jelly Meatballs

    The easiest appetizer recipe you’ll find. Meatballs simmered in grape jelly and jarred chile sauce. Perfect for game day.

    Grape Jelly Meatballs

    Meatballs full of flavor with a Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Glaze.

    Tis the season for appetizer, small bite, tapas gatherings.  My favorite kind of parties.

    I’m sure this post finds you hustling and bustling and enjoying the Holiday time of year. 

    This week has been a whirlwind in our world. It started last Saturday with our office party. A wonderful traditional Italian meal at a co-worker’s home. Then an ornament exchange party at my friend Heather’s. Her table was filled with wonderful food and I thought the highlight was her spicy glazed ham = omg. Then there was that Thursday Night Bronco game….boo-hoo, the Grinch came early to Denver. And of course there’s that shopping “thing”.

    Friday night found us glued to the television saddened and horrified for our community, watching yet another school shooting incident unfold, and so very close to home. I was less than a mile away and watched as the army of police vehicles, ambulances, swat team crews, and television stations rushed up University Boulevard in an impressive response.

    I’ve simply had no time to blog.

    Meatballs Appetizer Recipe

    Being in a Holiday party frame of mind, I’m also in the appetizer frame of mind so a Googleing I went.  Enjoy. And if you’re like me, it’s one of those things you can’t stop eating.

    Looking for more meatball recipes. Take a look at my go-to. This is my mom’s recipe and has been a family favorite for years. BBQ Meatballs, the sauce is killer.

    Now for the sweet and sour recipe.

    Grape Jelly Meatballs

    Sweet and Sour, Grape Jelly Glaze

    Classic Grape Jelly Meatball Sauce
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer Recipes
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 40
    Calories: 32kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounce jar chili sauce sweet chili sauce
    • 12 ounces grape jelly
    • Juice of one lemon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • In a large pot, combine the chili sauce, grape jelly and lemon juice.
    • Heat this mixture over medium heat until the jelly melts and everything begins to incorporate.
    • Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for at least 30 minutes, until the meatballs are heated through
    • This recipe is very, very adaptable. If you don’t have chili sauce, use ketchup. Or cocktail sauce. Don’t have a lemon? Use a lime! Want some added kick? Add a splash or two of teriyaki sauce (yum. I promise.). Be adventurous with your flavor of jam, if you want. You can also choose to cook the meatballs in the sauce rather than adding them in after they are cooked – whatever you choose. We always served these over rice, but they make great appetizer meatballs, or can be served however you prefer.

    Notes

    Makes Enough Sauce for 40 meatballs

    Nutrition

    Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 117mg | Potassium: 38mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lannisam or tag #CookingOnTheRanch!

    I used my basic meatball recipe:

    Grape Jelly Meatballs

    Basic Meatball Recipe

    A meatball recipe to feed a crowd
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer Recipes
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 40
    Calories: 118kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • 3 pounds ground beef Extra lean
    • 13 ounces evaporated milk
    • 2 wholes eggs lightly beaten
    • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 2 Cup saltine crackers crushed or 2 C. Old Fashioned Oats
    • 1 whole onion fine diced
    • 1/2 clove garlic fine diced
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and form into meatballs. Bake on a cookie sheet treated with non-stick spray. 375 degrees for about 20 minutes. Makes about 40 meatballs.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 134mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 64IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lannisam or tag #CookingOnTheRanch!

    Sweet and Sour, Grape Jelly Meatballs…They’re what’s for an Appetizer.

    More Appetizers and Beverages

    • Apples on Horseback, Apple Appetizer with Crispy Pancetta
    • A Simple Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe
    • Crispy Baked Limoncello Chicken Wings
    • Spiced Lamb Meatballs, Wine Tasting Appetizer

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vickie says

      December 20, 2013 at 9:26 am

      5 stars
      I thought of you immediately when I heard of that shooting. How scary!
      Your beautiful photo makes me want to grab one of those succulent little bites! In Texas people made a much less elegant version that was cocktail sausages cooked in a crockpot with jar of grape jelly . . . . went by the lovely name of Grape Wienies. (that name makes you want a bite, doesn’t it?)
      Hugs and Merry Christmas!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 22, 2013 at 6:16 am

        Making those grape wienies very soon! My personal shopper came home with this huge jar of grape jelly that’s clogging up the fridge. Gotta make something with it. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Joy @ Yesterfood says

      December 18, 2013 at 2:10 pm

      Lea Ann, I’m so glad you’re not “one of those” who doesn’t share recipes….because this one sounds fantastic. I love the combination of flavors- wouldn’t this be fun for a New Year’s Eve party? I’m thinking yes. 🙂

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 22, 2013 at 6:14 am

        I’m thinking “yes” Joy. Thanks for stopping by.

        Reply
    3. Penny says

      December 18, 2013 at 2:02 pm

      I had a version of these too, at a wedding years ago. But my source shared her recipe. It was my Aunt Pat and I still make her meatballs. The difference from yours is that she used a can of jellied cranberry sauce instead of grape jelly. I love, love your photo! I am having all kinds of problems with photography lately because of lighting issues. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family Lea Ann.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 22, 2013 at 6:13 am

        Since I’ve made this recipe, I’ve seen a couple of versions with cranberry. Sounds good to me. Lighting issues are always my frustration. Sometimes I just don’t get it.

        Reply
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    I'm Lea Ann, A Culinary School Grad obsessed with South of The Border cuisine. Mexican, Southwestern and Wild West Recipes. If you're an adventurous home cook looking to spice up your meal plans, you'll find plenty of inspiration for reliable, approachable recipes.

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