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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for even cooking and easy cleanup.
- 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.
- Craft uniformly sized 1-inch meatballs using gentle rolling techniques, arranging them systematically on the prepared baking sheet with slight spacing between each.
- Roast meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the sheet midway to guarantee consistent browning and complete internal cooking.
- 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.
- Transfer the golden-brown meatballs directly from the baking sheet into the simmering sauce, carefully coating each piece to maximize flavor absorption.
- Allow the meatballs to gently simmer in the sauce for 5-7 minutes, which helps tenderize the meat and intensify the overall taste profile.
- 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