Hot Pepper Jelly Meatballs (Printer-Friendly)
Juicy meatballs coated in a sweet and spicy hot pepper jelly glaze for a flavorful dish everyone will enjoy.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meatballs
01 -
1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
02 -
½ cup breadcrumbs
03 -
1 large egg
04 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
05 -
1 tablespoon grated onion or onion powder
06 -
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
07 -
1 teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
09 -
1 tablespoon milk or water
→ Hot Pepper Jelly Sauce
10 -
1 cup hot pepper jelly
11 -
¼ cup ketchup
12 -
2 tablespoons soy sauce
13 -
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
14 -
1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar (optional)
15 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Optional Garnishes and Serving
16 -
Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped
17 -
Steamed rice or mashed potatoes
18 -
Toothpicks for serving
# Steps to Make This:
01 -
Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and milk. Mix thoroughly. Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs, approximately 24 pieces. Arrange meatballs on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
02 -
Bake meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes until browned and cooked through. Alternatively, pan-fry meatballs in batches over medium heat until golden and cooked through.
03 -
While meatballs cook, combine hot pepper jelly, ketchup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey (if using), and garlic powder in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until jelly melts and sauce thickens slightly, about 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low to keep warm.
04 -
Add cooked meatballs to the sauce and gently toss to coat. Simmer together for 5 to 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld. For parties, transfer to a slow cooker set to 'warm' to maintain temperature.
05 -
Sprinkle with chopped parsley or green onions before serving. Serve warm as appetizers with toothpicks or over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes as a main course.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
For leaner results, use ground turkey or lean beef. Pre-cooking the meatballs helps them retain shape and develop flavor. Vinegar balances sweetness and heat in the sauce. Prepare meatballs and sauce ahead of time and reheat before serving. Use a crockpot to keep meatballs warm during gatherings.