The easiest appetizer recipe you’ll find. Meatballs simmered in grape jelly and jarred chile sauce. Perfect for game day.
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.
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.
Sweet and Sour, Grape Jelly Glaze
Ingredients
- 12 ounce jar chili sauce sweet chili sauce
- 12 ounces grape jelly
- Juice of one lemon
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
Nutrition
I used my basic meatball recipe:
Basic Meatball Recipe
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
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
Sweet and Sour, Grape Jelly Meatballs…They’re what’s for an Appetizer.
Why Trust These Recipes? Lea Ann Brown has lived, worked and played in Colorado for 45 years. She has immersed herself in the Colorado Culinary space, is a Culinary School Graduate and publishes her Colorado food Blog, Cooking On The Ranch.
Lea Ann says
I’m still hopeful for a trip to the Super Bowl. I agree that’s just what Colorado needs. And I’m loving that Paneer idea Ansh. I drizzled melted cheese over the top for leftovers.
lynn says
Mmm, these meatballs look wonderful.
Lea Ann says
Thanks Lynn! And thanks for stopping by.
Kari@Loaves n Dishes says
So I saw this at Marvelous Mondays and just had to see it! The sauce sounds just perfect actually, with that hit of lemon juice to keep it from being too sweet. I’m loving this recipe!
Lea Ann says
Well I’m so glad you stopped by! And thanks for the comment. I agree about that lemon juice. When I reheated them, I stirred in a tad of Dijon. That made for a great flavor combo too.
Chris says
ha ha, didn’t see this when I made my comment on the Apple on Horseback post. I remember the first time I came across meatballs like this. It was a Christmas office party at Winn-Dixie Stores Jacksonville Division office. I remember thinking, who in their right mind puts meatballs in grape jelly? Then I found out it is a thing.
Lea Ann says
I was the same way when I heard grape jelly was in the recipe. What the???? 🙂
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
Simple recipes are so good! I’ve seen this one before so it is nice to know that it tastes great, too! Thanks Lea Ann!
Lea Ann says
You’re welcome Abbe! Thanks for stopping by.
Johnnie says
Thanks for this recipe. I had forgot all about these.
Lea Ann says
You’re welcome Johnnie and thanks for stopping by.
Pam says
The presentation is fantastic… great photos! The meatballs look and sound delicious.
Lea Ann says
Thanks so much Pam.
Susan says
I can remember making something very similar years ago and it was a big hit. I’m not sure why I stopped making them. Probably, too many new recipes to try 🙂 They sound delicious!
Wow, that shooting really was close. So sad and scary!
Lea Ann says
That’s the sad thing about our love for food. We’re always making something new and the oldie but goodies get lost in the shuffle. Thanks for stopping by and the comment.
colleen @ Secrets from the Cookie Princess says
These are so perfect for the holidays! Great pick
Lea Ann says
Thanks so much Colleen.
Heather says
Nothing better than a good meatball. Perfect party food! These look delicious! I would have to be careful not to eat the whole thing!
Lea Ann says
I have loved snacking on the leftovers .. a couple here … a couple there … yup eaten the whole thing.
Holly says
My mom makes this sauce for meatballs and, I have to say, when she first made them I was sure they wouldn’t be a hit…but we all loved them. So easy and so good! I’ll have to ask her to add these to the list of Christmas goodies this year. Merry Christmas, Lea Ann!
Lea Ann says
Merry Christmas to you too Holly!
Larry says
Sounds like you’ve been busy. I love meatballs, I’d probably like sweet and sour meatballs, but I draw the line at grape jelly meatballs 🙂
Lea Ann says
You line drawers are just no fun! 🙂
Rebekah says
How fabulous are your photos and those adorable dishes!!!
And the meatballs sound delicious, too. 🙂
Lea Ann says
Rebekah, those little dishes are actually oyster appetizer plates, at least that’s what the store told me when I bought them. Thanks for stopping by and the comment!
Heather @ Join Us, Pull up a Chair says
I love making these meatballs for parties! Great SRC choice!
Kate says
Mmmmm….I love meatballs with grape jelly sauce…..delicious!! Great SRC selection.
Shelley C says
Oh, yay! I am so glad that you found, made and enjoyed these meatballs! We love them – they are such a treat!
Watching the news is such a sad and scary thing these days. Wishing you, your community and the world peace.
SeattleDee says
The sauce sounds like magic – only three ingredients combine to produce so much flavor! This sounds delicious, and perfect for impromptu entertaining.
maria @ close tohome says
I always love these at parties but never had made them.
Lea Ann says
Thanks for stopping by Marla! Always love new visitors and comments. You should give them a try, they’re pretty darn easy.
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
I love the sound of these meatballs and I love your dishes!
I hate to hear of another school shooting. Every week my mom encourages me to quit teaching – isn’t it a shame that it has come to this?
Lea Ann says
I agree Pam. What’s worse is I don’t think anyone knows how to stop it.
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
What an interesting combination of flavors in the meatballs. I would have been baffled about “just grape jelly.” I love little bites like this.
We too have been horrified by all of the shootings. I didn’t realize that one in Denver was so near you. That must have been scary. I just read this morning there was one in the Short Hills Mall in NJ, near where my husband grew up. Something has to be done to stop this.
Sam
Lea Ann says
Sam, it was pretty heart stopping to be so close to scene and the activity while this was all unfolding. Your heart is in your throat, to say the least.