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Cocktail Meatballs are the best holiday appetizer! These sweet and spicy cranberry meatballs are cooked in a cranberry pepper jelly sauce, which gives them the perfect flavor kick. They are so delicious and make the best Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve appetizer!
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“I have tried many different meatball recipes over the years. I made these last night and they are now my family’s favorite.” -Sherry
Cocktail Meatball Recipe
I’ve always loved pepper jelly, and it adds just enough zip to these cranberry meatballs. They don’t have a strong cranberry taste, but it’s just the right amount. Just enough spice and sweetness combination.
You can mix up the flavor of these meatballs by using different flavors of jelly. I like the spicy element hot pepper jelly adds to the sauce, but classic grape jelly also works well, and so does apricot. The chili sauce will still provide some heat, making these meatballs a great balance of sweet and spicy.
Tips for Beginners
- Properly cooked meatballs should register 165°F internally in the center.
- For a less sweet version, try using whole cranberry sauce instead of jellied.
- The meatballs and sauce can simmer on high in a crockpot for the last hour.
Cocktail Meatballs Recipe (Cranberry Meatballs)
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 2 pounds ground chuck
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs slightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons minced onion optional
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Cranberry Pepper Jelly Sauce
- 10 ounces hot pepper jelly (1 jar)
- 12 ounces chili sauce (1 jar)
- 8 ounces jellied cranberry sauce (1 jar)
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (from ½ lemon)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, breadcrumbs, eggs, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, onion, and salt. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated but do not overwork the mixture or the meatballs will be tough.2 pounds ground chuck, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons minced onion, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Form into 1½-inch meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet. Leave at least 1-inch space between meatballs.
- Cook at 350°F for 10 minutes, then turn each meatball over. Cook another 10-15 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through. Remove from oven.
- While the meatballs cook, prepare the sauce: In a large skillet set over low heat, combine all of the sauce ingredients. Stir until well blended then remove from heat until the meatballs are ready.10 ounces hot pepper jelly, 12 ounces chili sauce, 8 ounces jellied cranberry sauce, 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- When the meatballs are cooked, place them in the sauce in the skillet and simmer for 1 hour, or until the sauce has thickened.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Cocktail Meatballs Step by Step
Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine all the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 2 pounds ground chuck, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons minced onion, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated, but do not overwork the mixture or the meatballs will be tough.
Shape the meatballs: Form into 1½-inch meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet. Leave at least 1-inch space between meatballs.
Cook the meatballs: Cook at 350°F for 10 minutes, then turn each meatball over. Cook another 10-15 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through. Remove from oven.
Prepare the sauce: While the meatballs cook, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet set over low heat, combine 10 ounces of hot pepper jelly, 12 ounces chili sauce, 8 ounces jellied cranberry sauce, 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Stir until well blended, then remove from the heat until the meatballs are ready.
Simmer the meatballs in the sauce: When the meatballs are cooked, place them in the sauce in the skillet and simmer for 1 hour, or until the sauce has thickened.
Transfer and serve: Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish and enjoy.
How to Store
Store leftover cocktail meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a saucepan set over medium-low heat until warmed through.
Freeze cocktail meatballs in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cranberry meatballs as an appetizer with toothpicks for easy grabbing and extra sauce for dipping. Or, serve them as a meal over a bed of simple basmati rice or creamy mashed potatoes.
Can you use frozen Italian meatballs for this cranberry sauce?
Sure, Barb!
At first I thought this would just be a variation of the terrific old standby using jelly and tomato based Heinz chili sauce–which has gotten a bit hard to find. We do love cranberry sauce, and I used traditional tomato based chili sauce, whole berry cranberry sauce and hot pepper jelly. I think using a Thai sweet chili sauce in addition to the other sweet ingredients would have made my teeth hurt. I also made my meatballs smaller–i” is a single bite, 1.5″ is 3 bites and increases the risk of dripping. They were absolutely delicious–thanks for an easy and economical winner!
Thanks for sharing, Janet!
Do you use Heinz chili sauce or like Mae Ploy Asian chili sauce? There is a difference and this recipe as well as another one of your meatball recipes do not specify. I really want to make these but I’m going to the store now and am not sure which to buy. 🙁
Honestly, whatever is in stock at the store!
It is good but too sweet. I will omit the brown sugar and use whole cranberry sauce next time.
That sounds like a good idea, Debbie!! I hope that helps!
I have tried many different meatball recipes over the years. I made these last night and they are now my family’s favorite.
Yay! Thanks, Sherry! I’m glad you enjoyed it!!
How many meatballs do you get out of this recipe? Assuming small cocktail sized (1-in round).
I made these for a party today and everyone asked for the recipe.
I thought I didn’t have a lemon so I used white vinegar instead. Also used jalapeño red pepper jelly.
Those sound like great substitutions! I’ll have to give it a try!
It looks really yummy
Just attended a gathering where there were three meatballs. these sweet and spicy cranberry meatballs were by far the best. Thank you for a great keeper recipe.
This literally made my day. Thank you Judi!!
I am confused as to why chili sauce is listed twice in the recipe… one says “sweet chili sauce” and has a link, and then further down it just says “chili sauce”. Am I supposed to use the same chili sauce in both places or am I supposed to get two different chili sauces?
Yes, the sweet chili sauce. Hope you love the recipe!