Name: Easy Cocktail Meatballs Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
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

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.

Kitchen Tools

Ingredients

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