Sweet and Savory Party Meatballs

The family favorite that crashes every themed party: grape jelly meets chili sauce in this ridiculously easy crowd-pleaser

Happy New Year

This Sunday, with 2025 peeking around the corner, I’m sharing a delightfully simple recipe that’s perfect for your New Year’s celebrations! Whether you’re hosting or bringing a dish to share, this family favorite hits all the right notes. It’s easy to prepare and guaranteed to bring smiles around the table. 🥳 🥂

Kathy and Joy

At a party a couple of years back, my mom and aunt Kathy were all talking about these meatballs - they had to be on their menu. As a kid, I remember my mom making them at every party she hosted. She and her friends would throw these amazing, themed gatherings - everyone dressed according to the theme, the food matched (or was creatively stretched to match), and the laughter, especially my dad’s booming voice, echoed through the house.

Here’s the thing about these meatballs - they somehow weaseled their way onto every themed menu. I mean, chili sauce technically makes them “Latin-inspired,” right? And grape jelly? Well, that’s a totally French theme (grape = 🍇, obviously!) Ground meat? That’s just straight-up American holiday food! But let’s be honest - they showed up at every party because they’re ridiculously easy to make and disappear faster than you can say “pass the toothpicks.” Just like at my mom and aunt’s party, where they dressed them up all fancy and watched them vanish within minutes. Trust me on this one - double that recipe!

Sweet and Savory Party Meatballs

Kitchen Tools

• Large bowl

• Measuring spoons

• Measuring cups

• Skillet

• Cast-iron pan

• Mixing spoon

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1 tablespoon Italian flat-leaf parsley

• 1 organic, pastured-raised egg

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire

• 1/2 cup shortening

• 12 oz jar of Heinz chili sauce

• 10 oz jar of Welch’s Concord Grape Jelly

Directions

1. Chop the parsley and keep some aside for a fresh garnish at the end.

2. Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, parsley, egg, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce in your large bowl.

3. Shape the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs.

4. In a skillet, heat the shortening over medium heat and brown the meatballs, turning them as they cook, 10-15 minutes.

5. In a large saucepan, combine the chili sauce and grape jelly, and simmer until smooth.

6. Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

7. Serve warm with toothpicks so everyone can easily help themselves and enjoy!

Modern Pantry Swaps: Traditional → Modern

• Ground beef → ground turkey

• Breadcrumbs → Panko

• Shortening (Lard) → Plant-based shortening like Spectrum from Sprouts

• Chili sauce → BBQ sauce, sriracha hot chili sauce

• Grape jelly → cranberry sauce, hot pepper jelly, berry preserves

Sweet & Savory Meatballs

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