Tangy Cocktail Meatballs

Elevate your next gathering with these irresistible Tangy Cocktail Meatballs, a delightful combination of tender beef and pork meatballs paired with a zesty-sweet sauce that's sure to please every palate. These bite-sized delights are baked to golden perfection, then simmered in a bold, flavor-packed glaze made from ketchup, grape jelly, apple cider vinegar, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce—perfect for balancing savory and tangy notes. Ready in just under an hour, this easy-to-make appetizer is ideal for parties, potlucks, or game day spreads. Serve these crowd-pleasers straight from the skillet or artfully plated with toothpicks for effortless enjoyment! Keywords: tangy cocktail meatballs, homemade appetizer, zesty meatball sauce, party-friendly recipe, savory and sweet meatballs.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup milk
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 cup grape jelly
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 0.5 tsp hot sauce (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat mixture.

Step 3

Using your hands or a small scoop, form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them evenly on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 4

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through.

Step 5

While the meatballs are baking, prepare the tangy sauce. In a large skillet or saucepan, combine the ketchup, grape jelly, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce (if using). Heat over medium-low, stirring frequently, until the sauce is smooth and warmed through, about 5 minutes.

Step 6

Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat the meatballs evenly in the sauce.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Transfer the tangy cocktail meatballs to a serving dish, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot. They pair wonderfully with toothpicks for easy serving at parties.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1633.2 grams (1633.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3675

Total Fat 191.70g	246%
Saturated Fat 74.20g	371%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.80g
Cholesterol 931mg	310%
Sodium 5700mg	248%
Total Carbohydrate 273.40g	99%
Dietary Fiber 5.80g	21%
Total Sugars 167.60g
Protein 217.60g	435%

Vitamin D 75IU	374%
Calcium 569mg	44%
Iron 17mg	94%
Potassium 1679mg	36%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.8%

Protein: 23.6%

Carbs: 29.6%