The Best Meatball Appetizer

Cocktail Meatballs are the perfect party appetizer simmered in the most irresistible sauce ever.  They’re tender, juicy, flavorful, easy, addictive and always a runaway hit!

These easy Cocktail Meatballs are always the first to go at every party! They will have you throwing away your recipes using frozen meatballs and grape jelly because this homemade cocktail meatball recipe is 1000X better.  The meatballs are super easy made in the oven, wonderfully juicy, seeping with flavor – and that is without the sauce!  The cocktail meatball sauce is UNREAL – you are going to want to put it on everything.  It’s sticky, sweet and tangy with a subtle kick made with pepper jelly, pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup and sugar.  It’s simple, sublime, and ready in 5 minutes!  You can make these cocktail meatballs ahead of time and keep them warm in the crockpot or you can freeze them for an easy, stress free appetizer or dinner.  Yes, dinner; we love them so much, we serve them all the time with rice and veggies for dinner – SO GOOD.  But no matter how you serve these favorite cocktail meatballs, they are guaranteed to disappear in a flash!

 

Cocktail Meatballs Recipe

You all know I love my meatballs from Honey Buffalo Meatballs, Cranberry Meatballs, and Korean Meatballs but I have never introduced you to my cocktail meatball recipe until know – so, get giddy! 
These cocktail meatballs are mega juicy and SO easy.  While you can opt for frozen meatballs, once you taste the difference, you will never go back!  I used my mom’s crazy tender meatball recipe that uses crushed Ritz or saltines instead of breadcrumbs as well as dried minced onion for maximum flavor.

Why You’ll Fall In Love With This Meatball Appetizer Recipe

Cocktail Meatball Recipe Ingredients

Cocktail Meatball Sauce

The cocktail meatball sauce is made with pantry friendly ingredients and takes minutes to whip up.  It’s sweet from the sugar, tangy from the ketchup, vinegar and Worcestershire, fruity from the pineapple juice, grounded by the soy sauce, and spicy from the pepper jelly.  In short, it’s 100% mesmerizing.

For The Sauce

Can I use turkey meatballs?

I recommend lean ground beef for its rich, beefy flavor, but you may also use ground chicken or ground turkey, they just won’t be quite as juicy.  Trying adding some beef bouillon to enhance the flavor and a splash of oil to enhance the juiciness.

Can I use frozen meatballs?

Part of the deliciousness of this Cocktail Meatball recipe is the homemade meatballs, but you are welcome to use your favorite store-bought meatballs as well.
To make cocktail meatballs with store-bought meatballs, you will need one 32 oz. frozen package meatballs.
OVEN: Cook meatballs according to package directions until completely warmed through.  Transfer to sauce and stir to combine.
SLOW COOKER:  Prepare sauce according to recipe directions on the stove top.  Add sauce and meatballs to a 6-qt. slow cooker and cook on low 2-3 hours for THAWED meatballs and 6-8 hours for FROZEN meatballs.

How to Make Cocktail Meatballs

Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

STEP 1: COMBINE MEATBALL INGREDIENTS

• Add eggs to a large mixing bowl and gently whisk. 
• Add all remaining meatball ingredients then mix with your hands until well combined.

STEP 2: ROLL MEATBALLS

• Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.  Top with a baking rack and spray with cooking spray.  The baking rack will elevate the meatballs which 1) allows them to bake evenly and 2) allows the grease to drip off so they don’t cook in a pool of grease.
• Use a small cookie scoop (1 ½ tablespoon capacity) to roll mixture into meatballs. 
• Place meatballs onto prepared baking sheet without touching.

STEP 3: BAKE MEATBALLS

• Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
• Baking is much easier than pan frying (and healthier too!) and ensures the meatballs don’t fall apart.

STEP 4: MAKE COCKTAIL MEATBALL SAUCE

• While the meatballs are baking, whip up the cocktail sauce by whisking all of the ingredients together in a very large skillet off heat.
• Once combined, bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 3-5 minutes. 

STEP 5: COMBINE

• Add the baked meatballs to the sauce and stir to evenly coat. Transfer meatballs to a serving platter or bowl with either cocktail picks or toothpicks nearby or you can pierce the meatballs.  Serve warm.

TIPS AND TRICKS for cocktail meatball RECIPE

Can I use a food processor or mixer to blend the meatballs?

I do NOT recommend using a food processor or mixer to blend the meatballs because you end up with a mixture that is denser.  The goal is to just combine the ingredients together so they are evenly dispersed but not to over mix which can be easy to do with equipment.  Over-mixed meatballs = tougher meatballs.

HOW can I THICKEN COCKTAIL MEATBALLS?

If your cocktail meatball sauce is too thin either before or after you add the meatballs, it is easy to fix!  Simply simmer the sauce/meatballs until it reaches desired consistency.  It is better to thicken the sauce before you add the meatballs so you don’t cook the meatballs longer than you have to.

How Spicy are these meatballs?

These cocktail meatballs boast an enjoyable kick. It’s the perfect enlivening compliment to the sweet and sour sauce otherwise they would taste too sweet. I used Tabasco’s Pepper Jelly for this recipe and found them moderately spicy – meaning they do have a noticeable kick but should be enjoyed by most everyone, especially because they are eaten just one at a time.
If you are worried about the cocktail meatballs being too spicy, or if you are using a different brand of pepper jelly, then you can start with less pepper jelly and add more to taste.

Can I make Cocktail Meatballs in the Crockpot?

You can warm the cocktail meatballs in the crockpot, but I prefer to make them on the stove/oven because you will need to thicken the sauce on the stove either way. If you don’t simmer the sauce first, it will remain watery in the crockpot – not impressive.
Crockpot meatballs should also be seared in the oven first for about 8 minutes so they don’t fall apart in the crockpot and to render some of the fat.  So, essentially, you have to simmer the sauce and cook the meatballs anyway, so there really isn’t a reason to use the crockpot except to keep them warm. 
If you still want to make crockpot cocktail meatballs, here’s how:
•Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.  Top with a baking rack and spray with cooking spray; set aside.
•Add eggs to a large mixing bowl and gently whisk.  Add all remaining meatball ingredients then mix until well combined. Use a small cookie scoop (1 ½ tablespoon capacity) to roll into meatballs. 
•Place meatballs onto prepared baking sheet without touching.  Bake at 400 degrees F for 8 minutes to sear the meatballs – they will not be cooked through.
•Meanwhile, whisk all of the Cocktail Sauce ingredients together in a very large skillet off heat. Once combined, bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 3-5 minutes. 
•Lightly grease a 6qt slow cooker.  Add a layer of meatballs followed by a layer of sauce; repeat.  Do NOT stir meatballs with sauce yet or they will fall apart.
•Cook on LOW for 2-4 hours, until meatballs are cooked through, gently stirring one hour into cooking.  You can keep the crock pot on the WARM setting until you’re ready to serve.

How do you keep meatballs warm for a party?

Once you combine the meatballs and the sauce in the skillet, you can keep them warm over very low heat for up to 1 hour OR you can transfer the meatballs and sauce to the crockpot and keep on the warm setting.

Can I make Cocktail Meatballs in advance?

Absolutely!  You can make the cocktail meatball recipe in its entirety, refrigerate and simply reheat on the stove or crockpot (see instructions below) or you can roll the meatballs up to 24 hours ahead of time, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, then bake when it’s party time.  While the meatballs are baking you can either reheat or make the sauce. 

STOVETOP:

• Let combined cocktail meatballs and sauce cool to room temperature.
• Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
• When ready to serve, reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often until warmed through.  You may need to add additional water to thin the sauce.

CROCKPOT:

• Combine baked meatballs and sauce according to recipe directions.
• Transfer to lightly greased crockpot and let cool completely.
• Remove crockpot ceramic insert with meatballs/sauce and refrigerate, covered.
• When ready to serve, return insert to slow cooker and reheat over LOW for 1-2 hours, or until completely warmed through, stirring 1-2 times.

Can I freeze cocktail meatballs?

Yes, you can either freeze the cocktail meatballs before baking or after baking. 

TO FREEZE UNCOOKED COCKTAIL MEATBALLS

1. Line meatballs on a parchment paper lined baking sheet so they aren’t touching. 
2. Place entire baking tray with the meatballs in the freezer. If your freezer can’t accommodate your baking tray then use a small tray and freeze in batches.  Freeze for 1-2 hours, until solid.
3. Transfer meatballs to freezer safe bags or containers and squeeze out excess air to prevent freezer burn.
4. Label meatballs and store meatballs in the freezer for 3-4 months.
5. You can also make the sauce, store in an airtight container and freeze separately from the meatballs.
6. When ready to serve, defrost meatballs in the refrigerator overnight then continue to bake per recipe instructions.

TO FREEZE COOKED COCKTAIL MEATBALLS:

Once your meatballs are baked, you can either freeze the meatballs or freeze them with the sauce. To freeze them while still on the baking sheet:

1. Bake cocktail meatballs according to directions; let cool to room temperature.
2. Place entire baking tray with the meatballs in the freezer. You will want to make sure the meatballs are not touching so they don’t freezer together.  If your freezer can’t accommodate your baking tray then use a small tray lined with parchment paper and freeze in batches.  Freeze for 1-2 hours.
3. When your meatballs are frozen enough that they won’t stick together, transfer meatballs to freezer safe bags or containers.
4. Label meatballs and store in the freezer for 2-3 months.
5. You can also make the sauce, store in an airtight container and freeze separately from the meatballs.
6. When ready to use, let meatballs and sauce thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
7. Transfer to a large pot and gently simmer until heated through or warm in the crockpot over LOW for 1-2 hours.

TO FREEZE COOKED COCKTAIL MEATBALLS IN SAUCE

• Combine cooked meatballs and sauce according to recipe directions.
• Let cool completely.
• Transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag and squeeze out excess air.
• Label and freeze for 2-3 months.
• When ready to use, let meatballs and sauce thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Transfer to a large pot and gently simmer until heated through or warm in the crockpot over LOW for 1-2 hours.  

What to Serve With This Meatball Appetizer Recipe

Cocktail meatballs can be served as a main course with rice and stir-fried veggies, or roasted veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, etc.  or it can be served as an appetizer. 

Cocktail meatballs pair well with other favorite appetizers such as:

• Dips:  Jalapeno Popper Dip, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Queso Blanco, Chili Cheese Dip, Mexican Corn Dip, Queso Fundido
• Chinese Favorites: Chinese Egg Rolls, Sweet and Sour Chicken Egg Rolls, Crab Rangoon, Potstickers, Cream Cheese Wontons, Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Cheese: Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball, Bruschetta Cheese Ball, Baked Brie in Puff Pastry, Peanut Butter “Cheese” Ball, Pineapple Cheese Ball, Garlic Herb Cheese Log, Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log
• Finger Food: Jalapeno Poppers, Buffalo Hot Wings, Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls, Pretzel Bites, Southwest Egg Rolls, Chicken Empanadas

Looking for more Meatball Recipes?

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Italian Meatball Sliders
Italian Meatballs
Parmesan Meatballs
Swedish Meatballs

Tools Used in This Recipe

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Crockpot

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Stainless Steel Fry Pan 12 in.

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Baking Sheet Half Sheet (13×18)

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Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set

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Cookie Scoop (All Sizes)

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Small Whisk

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See Favorite Tools

Cocktail Meatballs Recipe

These Cocktail Meatballs are the perfect party appetizer simmered in the most irresistible sauce ever. They’re tender, juicy, flavorful, easy, addictive and always a runaway hit! They will have you throwing away your recipes using frozen meatballs and grape jelly because this homemade cocktail meatball recipe is 1000X better. The meatballs are super easy made in the oven, wonderfully juicy, seeping with flavor – and that is without the sauce! The cocktail meatball sauce is UNREAL – you are going to want to put it on everything. It’s sticky, sweet and tangy with a subtle kick made with pepper jelly, pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup and sugar. It’s simple, sublime, and ready in 5 minutes! You can make these cocktail meatballs ahead of time and keep them warm in the crockpot or you can freeze them for an easy, stress free appetizer or dinner. Yes, dinner; we love them so much, we serve them all the time with rice and veggies for dinner – SO GOOD. But no matter how you serve these favorite cocktail meatballs, they are guaranteed to disappear in a flash!

Servings: 48 meatballs (approx)

Total Time: 55 minutes mins

Prep Time: 35 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

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Ingredients

Meatballs

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 2 eggs
• 22 Ritz or saltine crackers crushed (approx. 1 cup)
• 1/3 cup dried minced onion
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 tsp EACH salt, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger powder, chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Cocktail Sauce

• 1/2 cup pepper jelly*
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400F degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. Top with a baking rack and spray with cooking spray; set aside.
• Add eggs to a large mixing bowl and gently whisk. Add all remaining meatball ingredients then mix until well combined. Use a small cookie scoop (1 ½ tablespoon capacity) to roll into meatballs. Place meatballs onto prepared baking sheet without touching. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
• Meanwhile, whisk all of the Cocktail Sauce ingredients together in a very large skillet off heat. Once combined, bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
• Add the baked meatballs to the sauce and stir to evenly coat. Transfer meatballs to a serving platter or bowl with either cocktail picks or toothpicks nearby or you can pierce the meatballs. Serve warm. Alternatively, transfer to the crockpot and keep on the "warm" setting until ready to serve.

Notes

How Spicy are these meatballs?

These cocktail meatballs boast an enjoyable kick. It’s the perfect enlivening compliment to the sweet and sour sauce otherwise they would taste too sweet. I used Tabasco’s Pepper Jelly for this recipe and found them moderately spicy – meaning they do have a kick but should be enjoyed by most everyone, especially because they are eaten just one at a time.

If you are worried about the cocktail meatballs being too spicy, or if you are using a different brand of pepper jelly, then you can start with less pepper jelly and add more to taste.

TIPS AND TRICKS

• *Pepper jelly is located with the other jams and jellies at your grocery store.  There is sometimes jalapeno pepper jelly or red pepper jelly – when given the option, you will want the jalapeno pepper jelly.
• You may substitute the crackers for 1 cup panko breadcrumbs and a pinch of salt, but you’ll be missing out on some flavor.  
• You can roll your meatballs up to 24 hours ahead of time, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, then bake when it’s party time.
• Don’t overmix your meatball ingredients – overmixing results in tougher meatballs.
• If you choose to use store-bought frozen meatballs, don’t use Italian seasoned meatballs or the seasonings may clash with the sauce.
• Cook the meatballs on a baking rack to prevent them from baking in a puddle of their own grease.  The elevated rack also promotes even cooking.  If you don’t have a baking rack, then be sure to wipe the bottom of each meatball with a paper towel before adding to the sauce.  
• DON’T try and cook your meatballs in a skillet because they are so tender, they will fall apart. By baking them, they stay intact because you don’t touch them until they have baked into a tighter meatball.

Can
I use frozen meatballs?

Part of the deliciousness of this Cocktail Meatball recipe is the homemade meatballs, but you are welcome to use your favorite store-bought meatballs as well. To make cocktail meatballs with store-bought meatballs, you will need one 32 oz. frozen package meatballs.

• OVEN: Cook meatballs according to package directions until completely warmed through.  Transfer to sauce and stir to combine.
• SLOW COOKER:  Prepare sauce according to recipe directions on the stove top.  Add sauce and meatballs to a 6-qt. slow cooker and cook on low 2-3 hours for THAWED meatballs and 6-8 hours for FROZEN meatballs.

Can I make Crockpot Cocktail Meatballs?

You can warm the cocktail meatballs in the crockpot, but I prefer to make them on the stove/oven because you will need to thicken the sauce on the stove either way and oven sear the meatballs before adding to the crockpot.

If you still want to make crockpot
cocktail meatballs, here’s how:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.  Top with a baking rack and spray with cooking spray; set aside.
• Add eggs to a large mixing bowl and gently whisk.  Add all remaining meatball ingredients then mix until well combined. Use a small cookie scoop (1 ½ tablespoon capacity) to roll into meatballs. 
• Place meatballs onto prepared baking sheet without touching.  Bake at 400 degrees F for 8 minutes to sear the meatballs – they will not be cooked through.
• Meanwhile, whisk all of the Cocktail Sauce ingredients together in a very large skillet off heat. Once combined, bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 3-5 minutes. 
• Lightly grease a 6qt slow cooker.  Add a layer of meatballs followed by a layer of sauce; repeat.  Do NOT stir meatballs with sauce yet or they will fall apart.
• Cook on LOW for 2-4 hours, until meatballs are cooked through, gently stirring one hour into cooking.  You can keep the crock pot on the WARM setting until you’re ready to serve.

How to make in advance

You can make the cocktail meatball recipe in its entirety, refrigerate and simply reheat on the stove or crockpot (see instructions below) or you can roll the meatballs up to 24 hours ahead of time, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, then bake when it’s party time.  While the meatballs are baking you can either reheat or make the sauce. 

STOVETOP:

• Let combined cocktail meatballs and sauce cool to room temperature.
• Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
• When ready to serve, reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often until warmed through.  You may need to add additional water to thin the sauce.

CROCKPOT

• Combine baked meatballs and sauce according to recipe directions.
• Transfer to lightly greased crockpot and let cool completely.
• Remove crockpot ceramic insert with meatballs/sauce and refrigerate, covered.
• When ready to serve, return insert to slow cooker and reheat over LOW for 1-2 hours, or until completely warmed through, stirring 1-2 times.

TO FREEZE UNCOOKED MEATBALLS:

1. Line meatballs on a parchment paper lined baking sheet so they aren’t touching. 
2. Place entire baking tray with the meatballs in the freezer. If your freezer can’t accommodate your baking tray then use a small tray and freeze in batches.  Freeze for 1-2 hours, until solid.
3. Transfer meatballs to freezer safe bags or containers and squeeze out excess air to prevent freezer burn.
4. Label meatballs and store meatballs in the freezer for 3-4 months.
5. You can also make the sauce, store in an airtight container and freeze separately from the meatballs.
6. When ready to serve, defrost meatballs in the refrigerator overnight then continue to bake per recipe instructions.

TO FREEZE COOKED MEATBALLS:

Once your meatballs are baked, you can either freeze the meatballs or freeze them with the sauce. To freeze them while still on the baking sheet:

1. Bake cocktail meatballs according to directions; let cool to room temperature.
2. Place entire baking tray with the meatballs in the freezer. You will want to make sure the meatballs are not touching so they don’t freezer together.  If your freezer can’t accommodate your baking tray then use a small tray lined with parchment paper and freeze in batches.  Freeze for 1-2 hours.
3. When your meatballs are frozen enough that they won’t stick together, transfer meatballs to freezer safe bags or containers.
4. Label meatballs and store in the freezer for 2-3 months.
5. You can also make the sauce, store in an airtight container and freeze separately from the meatballs.
6. When ready to use, let meatballs and sauce thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
7. Transfer to a large pot and gently simmer until heated through or warm in the crockpot over LOW for 1-2 hours.

TO FREEZE COOKED MEATBALLS IN SAUCE:

• Combine cooked meatballs and sauce according to recipe directions.
• Let cool completely.
• Transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag and squeeze out excess air.
• Label and freeze for 2-3 months.
• When ready to use, let meatballs and sauce thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Transfer to a large pot and gently simmer until heated through or warm in the crockpot over LOW for 1-2 hours.  

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