Hot Pepper Jelly Meatballs (Printer-Friendly)
Juicy meatballs coated with a sweet and spicy hot pepper jelly glaze for a flavorful bite.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meatballs
01 -
1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
02 -
½ cup breadcrumbs
03 -
1 large egg
04 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
05 -
1 tbsp grated onion or onion powder
06 -
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
07 -
1 tsp salt
08 -
½ tsp black pepper
09 -
1 tbsp milk or water
→ Hot Pepper Jelly Sauce
10 -
1 cup hot pepper jelly (store-bought or homemade)
11 -
¼ cup ketchup
12 -
2 tbsp soy sauce
13 -
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
14 -
1 tbsp honey or brown sugar (optional)
15 -
1 tsp garlic powder
→ Optional Garnish and Serving
16 -
Fresh parsley or chopped green onions
17 -
Steamed rice or mashed potatoes
18 -
Toothpicks for serving
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat a skillet to medium. Combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and milk in a large bowl. Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs, about 24 pieces. Arrange on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15–18 minutes until browned and cooked through, or pan-fry in batches until golden and fully cooked.
02 -
While meatballs cook, in a saucepan over medium heat, combine hot pepper jelly, ketchup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey if using, and garlic powder. Stir constantly until jelly melts and sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, about 5–7 minutes. Reduce heat to low to keep warm.
03 -
Add cooked meatballs to the warm sauce and toss gently to coat. Simmer together for 5–10 minutes to let flavors meld. For party serving, transfer to a slow cooker on the warm setting.
04 -
Sprinkle with fresh parsley or chopped green onions. Serve warm as an appetizer with toothpicks or as a main dish alongside rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
Using lean ground meat ensures less greasiness and better sauce consistency.
02 -
Precooking meatballs helps maintain shape and enhances flavor.
03 -
Vinegar balances the sweet and spicy elements in the sauce.
04 -
Prepare meatballs and sauce ahead of time; reheat before serving.
05 -
Slow cooker keeps meatballs warm during gatherings without overcooking.