The Best Cocktail Meatballs Recipe for Your Next Party

Delightful cocktail meatballs bring a burst of flavor to any gathering with their irresistible charm.

Small spheres of seasoned meat promise pure deliciousness for your next party.

Guests will absolutely adore these bite-sized treasures that pack serious taste in every single morsel.

Perfectly spiced and tender, each meatball delivers a complex blend of savory ingredients.

Minimal effort creates maximum impact when you serve these crowd-pleasing bites.

Simple preparation meets impressive results in this crowd-winning recipe.

We invite you to roll up your sleeves and create something magical that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Cocktail Meatballs Are Always A Crowd Favorite

• Create Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer: These cocktail meatballs are perfect for parties, gatherings, and potlucks, guaranteed to impress guests with their irresistible sweet and tangy flavor combination.
• Master Simple Cooking Technique: Beginners can easily prepare these meatballs with basic mixing and baking skills, making it an ideal recipe for home cooks looking to build confidence in the kitchen.
• Versatile Party Favorite: Adaptable for various occasions like game day, holiday events, or casual get-togethers, these meatballs offer a delicious solution for feeding a hungry crowd with minimal effort.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or adjust seasonings to suit personal taste preferences, allowing creative cooks to put their own spin on this classic appetizer recipe.

What You’ll Need For Cocktail Meatballs

• Ground Beef: A flavorful and classic protein that forms the foundation of the meatballs.
• Ground Pork: Adds richness and helps create a tender texture for the meatballs.

• Breadcrumbs, Eggs, Milk: These ingredients work together to help hold the meatballs together and create a soft, moist interior.
• Parsley, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Seasonings that provide depth of flavor and aromatic notes to the meatball mixture.

• Chili Sauce, Grape Jelly, Worcestershire Sauce: These components combine to create a sweet and tangy glaze that coats the meatballs with a delicious, glossy finish.

Cooking Cocktail Meatballs Made Simple

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Create Meaty Magic

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Breadcrumbs
• Eggs
• Milk
• Fresh parsley
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

Blend everything together until the mixture looks perfectly combined.

Step 3: Shape Those Flavor Bombs

Roll the meat mixture into small, bite-sized spheres about an inch wide. Arrange them neatly on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes. The meatballs should turn golden brown and cook completely through.

Step 5: Craft the Saucy Coating

• Chili sauce
• Grape jelly
• Worcestershire sauce

Heat the mixture over medium flame, stirring until the jelly melts and creates a smooth, glossy sauce.

Step 6: Marry Meatballs and Sauce

Gently transfer the baked meatballs into the saucepan.

Softly toss to ensure each meatball gets a delicious sauce bath. Let them simmer for 5-7 minutes to blend the flavors.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the saucy meatballs while they’re warm. Sprinkle some extra parsley on top for a fresh touch if you’d like.

Smart Tips For Cocktail Meatballs

• Use fresh ground meat for juicier, more flavorful meatballs that hold together perfectly when mixed.
• Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to prevent tough, dense meatballs with a compact texture.
• Line the baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking during baking.
• Replace grape jelly with cranberry sauce for a tangy twist on the classic sweet-savory sauce.
• Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, reheating gently to maintain moisture.

Creative Takes On Cocktail Meatballs

• Spicy Sriracha Meatballs: Replace chili sauce with sriracha and add honey for a sweet-hot kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Meatballs: Swap ground pork with lamb, add oregano, mint, and use tzatziki sauce instead of sweet-tangy glaze.
• Asian-Inspired Glazed Meatballs: Use soy sauce, ginger, and hoisin sauce for an umami-rich coating with sesame seeds sprinkled on top.
• Buffalo Blue Cheese Meatballs: Mix buffalo sauce into the glaze, serve with crumbled blue cheese and chopped green onions for a game-day style appetizer.

Great Pairings For Cocktail Meatballs

• Pair with Tangy Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Zinfandel or Syrah that complements the rich, sweet-savory sauce and cuts through the meatballs' hearty flavor.
• Serve with Crisp Vegetable Slaw: Create a zesty coleslaw with vinegar-based dressing to balance the sweetness of the meatballs and provide a refreshing crunch.
• Complement with Soft Dinner Rolls: Offer warm, buttery rolls to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a soft texture contrast to the meaty appetizer.
• Match with Sparkling Cranberry Mocktail: Prepare a light, effervescent drink with cranberry juice, sparkling water, and a lime garnish to cleanse the palate between bites.

How To Keep Cocktail Meatballs Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep sauce and meatballs together to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Freeze: Place cooled meatballs in freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Separate sauce from meatballs for best preservation.
• Microwave Reheating: Warm meatballs in microwave-safe dish for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying.
• Stovetop Reheating: Gently reheat meatballs in sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally. Warm for 5-7 minutes until heated through, maintaining tenderness and flavor.

Cocktail Meatballs Q&A

• Can I use only ground beef for the meatballs?

Yes, you can substitute ground pork with additional ground beef, but using a mix of meats provides better flavor and texture.

• How can I tell if the meatballs are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), which ensures the meatballs are safely cooked through.

• Is it possible to make these meatballs ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare and bake the meatballs in advance, then reheat them in the sauce when ready to serve.

• What can I do if the sauce seems too thin?

If the sauce is too runny, let it simmer a bit longer to reduce and thicken, or mix a small amount of cornstarch with cold water and stir into the sauce.

Cocktail Meatballs Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 40-47 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Succulent cocktail meatballs bring Mediterranean zest to party spreads with their bold, tangy flavors. Guests will savor each bite of these perfectly seasoned, bite-sized delights that promise to elevate any gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1 pound (454 grams) ground pork

Binding and Seasoning:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (120 grams) breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Sauce:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) chili sauce
• 1 cup (340 grams) grape jelly
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for even cooking and easy cleanup.
2. Create a comprehensive meat mixture by blending ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, and dry seasonings in a large mixing bowl, ensuring thorough and uniform incorporation.
3. Craft uniformly sized 1-inch meatballs using gentle rolling techniques, arranging them systematically on the prepared baking sheet with slight spacing between each.
4. Roast meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the sheet midway to guarantee consistent browning and complete internal cooking.
5. Meanwhile, construct the signature sauce by combining chili sauce, grape jelly, and Worcestershire sauce in a large saucepan over medium heat, whisking until the jelly completely dissolves and creates a glossy, smooth consistency.
6. Transfer the golden-brown meatballs directly from the baking sheet into the simmering sauce, carefully coating each piece to maximize flavor absorption.
7. Allow the meatballs to gently simmer in the sauce for 5-7 minutes, which helps tenderize the meat and intensify the overall taste profile.
8. Present the glazed meatballs immediately while hot, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley for an elegant touch and added herbal brightness.

Notes

• Meat Mixture Mastery: Use a light hand when mixing to prevent dense, tough meatballs that can become rubbery and compact.
• Moisture Magic: Adding milk and eggs helps keep the meatballs tender and prevents them from drying out during baking.
• Size Consistency: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to ensure uniform meatball sizes for even cooking and professional presentation.
• Flavor Flexibility: Swap ground pork with turkey or chicken for a leaner option that still maintains juiciness and great taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-32 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 303
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg