Appetizer Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs or Lil Smokies

"This is easy and always a big hit at my get togethers, it's great with mini meatballs or Lil Smokies, to make it ever more easier purchase ready made frozen cooked small meatballs or you can make your own and cook them first, I use recipe#69173 see bottom of recipe for baking times --- this is great to take to a potluck :)"
 
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photo by Dine  Dish photo by Dine  Dish
photo by Dine Dish
photo by Laurie L. photo by Laurie L.
photo by Jane from Ohio photo by Jane from Ohio
photo by leisaanddirk photo by leisaanddirk
photo by leisaanddirk photo by leisaanddirk
Ready In:
55mins
Ingredients:
4
Yields:
50 meatballs
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ingredients

  • 3 -5 lbs frozen cooked small meatballs or 3 -5 lbs Little Smokies sausages
  • 1 (32 ounce) jar grape jelly
  • 2 (12 ounce) jars chili sauce (I use Heinz Chili Sauce)
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
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directions

  • In a pot combine the grape jelly with the chili sauce; add in the meatballs and simmer for about 45 minutes uncovered or until the sauce has thickened.
  • If you are making my Parmesan meatball recipe use 2-1/2 to 3 pounds lean ground beef or use half beef and ground pork shape.
  • Shape into about 1-inch balls.
  • Place on a baking sheet.
  • Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
  • Place in the prepared sauce.

Questions & Replies

  1. Can I make these with Italian meatballs?...
     
  2. aftr cooking can the remainder be frozen and used later
     
  3. Appetizer Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs or Lil Smokies. My husband is on a gluten free, dairy free diet. Not due to allergies, but he had stem cell therapy injections a little over 2 weeks ago and for the next 6 weeks is to avoid any foods that can cause more inflamation, therefore he was told to avoid gluten and dairy. We have to go to a New Years Eve party and bring an appetizer, so i want to know if this recipe would be appropriate?
     
  4. has anyone made these in the crock pot??
     
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Reviews

  1. I used this sauce to make "worms" for Halloween... slice regular hot dogs length-wise into 4 slices and make tiny cuts sideways along each piece. When you boil them, they will curl up and look like worms!
     
  2. I have been making these for years. My Aunt gave me the Recipe. Always a big hit at parties. This is an appetizer not an man meat dish. I don't add the pepper and It's very good. I use Armour meatballs found in the frozen meat section of your grocery store. 32 oz jar of Grape Jelly or any jelly really will do.. some use cranberry sauce. And two jars of chili sauce to one 5 pound bag of meatballs is perfect. Will make about 160 meatballs.
     
  3. Perfect! It was just what I was looking for. I used a 3 lb bag of meatballs and halved the jelly & chili sauce. Everyone loved them! Yummm!
     
  4. These were really good, for the first couple, but too sweet after about 4 or 5 of them. Maybe I'll use less jelly next time.
     
  5. Made these for a family get together on the 4th of July and did they go over like fireworks!!! I made my own meatballs (cocktail size)....5lbs. worth.....and every single meatball was eaten!! I couldn't have asked for a better outcome!! Thanks, Kittencal!!
     
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Tweaks

  1. You can also use 1 can of cranberry sauce instead of grape jelly!
     
  2. Try this w/ red currant jelly instead of grape. (Or any other jelly you might like). Also, if you make your own meatballs, try a pinch of ground cloves. I guess you could put some cloves in the sauce if using pre-made meatballs or other meats, but we always made our own.
     
  3. Great recipe. I bought jam instead of jelly on accident, but the recipe still turned out fine (and I made both the meatballs and aded lil smokies).
     
  4. I tried this using Lil Smokies and apricot/pineapple preserves as that is what I had on hand. I liked these but prefer them cooked with barbeque sauce and crushed pineapple instead. Maybe that's because I didn't use grape jelly as the recipe calls for. They were better the second day.
     

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