Easy Cocktail Meatballs Recipe

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If you want to be the star of your next gathering, make this incredible easy cocktail meatball recipe.

It’s really easy to make and is absolutely delicious! Everyone will comment on how awesome your meatballs are. If you are getting ready to host a party, then mix up some blackberry lime mocktails for it too!

How To Make Cocktail Meatballs

Meatballs are actually very easy to make. They are basically a combination of ground beef, an egg, and breadcrumbs.

What makes this recipe so amazing is the sauce! Cranberry jelly and chili sauce are the stars of this recipe.

That’s right, a simple can of jellied cranberry sauce and a bottle of chili sauce will make the base of this cocktail meatball sauce and it’s absolutely delicious.

Beef meatballs topped with a cranberry sauce on a white plate with a side of fries, with a peach plaid napkin in the background

What You Need

Here’s what you’ll need from the store. The exact amounts are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Beef meatballs topped with a cranberry sauce on a white plate with a side of fries, with a peach plaid napkin in the background

Kitchen Tools

Ingredients

Beef meatballs topped with a cranberry sauce on a white plate with a side of fries, with a peach plaid napkin in the background

Cocktail Meatball Tips

If you have any questions about this recipe, please leave them in the comments. Here are some additional tips that will help you as you cook them.

Meatballs with a toothpick in each one, sitting on a white square plate

Simmer in the Slow Cooker

If you are running short on time or you want to keep them warm until guests arrive, keep them in the slow cooker. It’s best if your slow cooker has a “keep warm” function since that will prevent the meatballs from overcooking.

Bird's eye view of homemade beef meatballs, with a cranberry sauce topping on a white plate with a side of fries

Brown in the skillet first

Before you simmer the meatballs in the tangy sauce, you should cook them in the skillet. The meatballs need to be completely cooked before you add the sauce.

Meatballs with a toothpick in each one, sitting on a white square plate with a salt and pepper shaker in the background

Then, simmer the meatballs in the sauce for at least 45 minutes.

The result is absolutely amazing.

How to Store Cocktail Meatballs

Keep leftover cocktail meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat them on the stove for the best results.

A meatball being held with a toothpick and a plate of more meatballs in the background

How To Make Them Spicier

Add some red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or some cayenne pepper to add some heat to these delicious cocktail meatballs.

To serve them, add a toothpick into each meatball and set them on a platter so that your guests can grab a meatball easily.

Save Extra Sauce For Dipping

This sauce is incredibly delicious! Before you serve the meatballs to your guests, add some of the leftover sauce to a serving bowl and let your friends grab as much as they want. It tastes delicious with french fries, on top of mashed potatoes, or as a dip for roasted veggies.

A closeup of homemade beef meatballs, with a cranberry sauce topping on a white plate with a side of fries
5 from 1 vote

Easy Cocktail Meatballs Recipe

Print Recipe
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Total Time:1 hour

SERVINGS

4

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef 80-85% lean
  • 1/4 cup bread crumbs regular – not seasoned
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 jellied cranberry sauce 14oz
  • 1 bottle chili sauce 12oz
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons minced onion

Instructions

  • In a bowl, mix ground beef, onion, egg, salt, bread crumbs and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Heat skillet on medium heat. Roll meat into balls of about 1 inch in size. and place in skillet.
  • Keep meatballs rolling around in pan with a large wooden spoon or spatula until they are browned. Should take about 5 minutes.
  • Pour chili sauce and cranberry sauce into a medium sized pot and heat on medium. Mix well so that cranberry jelly melts and mixture becomes consistent.
  • Add browned meatballs to the pot with sauce and make sure they’re all coated well. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 45 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 332mg | Potassium: 377mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 3mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 336kcal
A fork vertically holding up a homemade meatball

See how tasty they are? If you love meatballs, then check out our creamy Swedish meatballs next. They are just as good!

Beef meatballs topped with a cranberry sauce on a white plate with a side of fries, with a peach plaid napkin in the background, with a fork inserted into one of the meatballs

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More Easy Appetizers

If you enjoyed learning how to make sweet and tangy cocktail meatballs, here are some more simple appetizers you should make next. They are some of my favorite recipes to make for parties.

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Recipe Rating




One Comment

  1. 5 stars
    These meatballs were super yummy! I made this recipe twice already, and my family and I loved it. Thank you so much!