co*cktail Meatballs Recipe (Party Meatballs) (2024)

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Quick and easy co*cktail meatballs recipe, also known as party meatballs: These sweet and spicy meatballs are ready in 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

*These co*cktail meatballs (party meatballs) are a "must-make"in our family during the holiday season. This post is being sponsored by The Coca-Cola company. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

In my opinion, the holiday season is all about making memories and LOTS of good food and these meatballs fit the bill perfectly.

On Christmas, we have a long-standing TRADITION: All the family members from every part of the country meet up at one place. Along with gifts, everyone also brings something to eat at the party.

co*cktail Meatballs Recipe (Party Meatballs) (1)

My mom brings fudge and cake.

One of my Uncle brings his dinner rolls (which are to die for!).

Another Uncle brings a sparkling fruity holiday punch, which is his secret recipe and we have been begging him for the recipe for years...heheh.

My Auntbrings these sweet and spicy meatballs every year.

Hands down, they are my FAVORITEappetizer and they are always the first item to disappear at the appetizer table...lol.

She gave me the recipe for these baked co*cktail meatballs years ago and I am so happy to share it with all of you today, hoping tosharemy family tradition with yours.

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HerSECRET ingredient is Coca-Cola®!

So, the first thing you need to do is grab a bottle of Diet co*ke® on your next grocery run to Sam's Club.

While you are at it, enter for a chance to win a trip to LA toattend a private screening of "The Greatest Showman."

Anyways, I know many of you have recipes forCLASSICco*cktail meatballs with cranberry sauce or grape jelly BBQ sauce.

I really urge you to try these meatballs with Coca-Cola® barbecue sauce because they are indefinitely better!

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Here are some TIPS for making easy party meatballs:

You can makeco*cktail meatballs from scratch but my Aunt always uses frozen meatballs because it's quicker and tastes just as good.
If you are not making meatballs from scratch, use theBEST quality of frozen meatballs you can find. Your recipe is only as good as the ingredients you use.
I don't recommend making these co*cktail meatballs in slow cooker/ crockpot because the sauce does not thicken.
If your sauce is too thin, cook for longer on medium high heat until the liquid is reduced. If your sauce is too thick, add a little water to thin it out.
Double or triple the recipe to make co*cktail meatballs for party or crowd.
ADJUSTthe amount of chili paste, based on your spice preference.
DON'T omit the liquid smoke because it gives these meatballs an awesome BBQ smokey flavor.

How to make co*cktail meatballs for a party?

Start off by using your favorite meatball recipe to prepare meatballs and bake or fry them. Then, prepare the sauce and mix in the meatballs until fully coated. Enjoy!

How long do you bake co*cktail meatballs?

Meatballs are usually baked for about 20 minutes. If you are using pre-cooked frozen meatballs like I did, there is no baking time.

How do you make mini meatballs?

Justroll meatballs in smaller sizes to make mini versions OR you can also buy frozen mini meatballs.

How big are co*cktail meatballs?

They should about 2 inches in diameter.

How to freeze co*cktail meatballs?

Once they have cooled down completely, pack them in sealed freezer bags and freeze for up to 1 month.

How to reheat co*cktail meatballs?

They can be reheated in the microwave or in a non-stick pan on the stovetop.

How to keep co*cktail meatballs warm?

After they are fully cooked, put them in a slow cooker and set it up at the low setting. If you are worried about the sauce getting too thick, add a splash of water.

How to serve co*cktail meatballs?

Serve them on a plate or serving platter and garnish with thinly sliced green onions. Attach toothpicks to each meatball or keep them aside for people to spear themselves.

What goes with co*cktail meatballs?

Some ideas are:

Dipping sauce or vegetable dip
Small bread rolls (you can make mini sliders too!)
Sliced vegetables like carrots and celery

Can you freeze co*cktail meatballs in sauce?

Yes, you can freeze them in the sauce and reheat slowly on low heat at the stovetop in a non-stick pan. You may have to add a splash ofwater to get the right consistency again.

Can you make co*cktail meatballs ahead?

Yes, you can make them ahead of time and reheat them in the microwave or stovetop, prior to serving.

How many co*cktail meatballs per person?

1 serving isconsidered to be2 meatballs per person but to be honest, most people in my family would eat at least 3 meatballs. So, my ratio is always 3 meatballs per person.

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Well, that's all for today.

If you liked this co*cktail meatballs recipe using frozen meatballs, you may like some of these other appetizer recipes:

Crispy Fried Green Beans

Korean Meatballs (Korean BBQ Meatballs)

Spicy Honey BBQ Wings

Abeer Rizvi

Ingredients

1 cup Ketchup
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup Steak sauce
1 teaspoon Liquid smoke
½ teaspoon Onion powder
½ teaspoon Garlic powder
Salt To taste
Pepper To taste
1 tablespoon Chili paste
1 cup Diet co*ke
25 Meatballs Frozen, Pre-cooked
1 tablespoon Green onions Thinly sliced, For garnish

Instructions

Heat a wide non-stick pan in medium high heat and add ketchup, Worcestershire sauce,Steak sauce, liquid smoke, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, chili paste and mix.
Add co*ke and mix again.
Allow the Coca-Cola bbq sauce to cook until the liquid is reduced and thick.
Add meatballs and mix until they are fully coated.
Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
Garnish with green onions and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Read all my tips above.
Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 166kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 8gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 505mgPotassium: 319mgSugar: 8gVitamin A: 190IUVitamin C: 3.6mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1.1mg

Keyword co*cktail meatballs, easy appetizer

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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co*cktail Meatballs Recipe (Party Meatballs) (2024)

FAQs

What is co*cktail meatballs made of? ›

co*cktail meatballs were a popular appetizer in the 1960s and 1970s. My mother and grandmother used to make them from a well-known recipe that called for frozen meatballs, grape jelly, and Heinz chili sauce. It seemed like everyone made them that way back then!

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What makes meatballs stick together better? ›

Add a lightly beaten egg, but not too much. Egg acts as a binder for the ingredients, but you only need a small amount. One small egg will do for one pound of minced meat. Alternatively, if you're following an egg-free diet, you could soak fresh bread in milk, squeezing out any excess milk, to use as a binder.

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Is it better to use milk or water in meatballs? ›

Milk: We will mix a bit of milk with the breadcrumbs to form a panade, which will help to keep our meatballs nice and moist. Ground beef and pork: I like to use a 50/50 mix of the two to make meatballs, but you can also make all-beef or all-pork meatballs if you prefer.

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How many bags of meatballs for 50 guests? ›

It is safe to say that no matter what size meatballs you make, you will need between 18 and 20 pounds of meatballs for 50 people. If you are buying frozen meatballs for your event, it's still easy to figure out. If the meatballs come in a 5 pound bag, you will need 4 bags of frozen meatballs.

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What's the difference between Italian style meatballs and regular meatballs? ›

Italian-style meatballs often include additional ingredients such as milk, olive oil, ground pork, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, Italian herb seasoning, and sometimes a combination of ground beef, veal, and pork [2].

How many meatballs per person at a party? ›

(So helpful if you're serving a huge crowd and doing the math about how many frozen meatballs for 50 or more people!) Here's how many meatballs per person you'll need: One serving = 4 meatballs. Party of 12 = 2 pounds.

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Why do you put baking soda in meatballs? ›

This process allows the baking soda to neutralize acid on the surface of the meat, resulting in less toughness and a cooked meat that is juicy on the inside while remaining crispy on the outside. Note: Some cuts of meat may take longer to soak in the baking soda to fully tenderize.

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Why soak breadcrumbs in milk for meatballs? ›

The Key to Tender Meatballs

Here, we're soaking fresh or dried breadcrumbs in a little milk until the bread becomes soggy, then mixing that right into the meat. This binder (aka panade) helps add moisture to the meatballs and also prevents the meat proteins from shrinking and becoming tough.

Should I add egg to meatballs? ›

You only need a small amount of egg – it's there only to help the cooked meatball retain its shape, and shouldn't detract from the meat's flavour or texture. Filler ingredients like breadcrumbs or flour are important too because they stop the meatballs becoming dry.

What can I use instead of grape jelly? ›

Replace the Grape Jelly with apricot preserves, orange marmalade, canned cranberry sauce, raspberry preserves, or hot pepper jelly. Replace the Ketchup with Heinz chili sauce or barbecue sauce. If swapping the ketchup for chili sauce, it is not a spicy sauce.

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What to serve with meatballs at a party? ›

White rice, brown rice or cauliflower rice are the perfect sidekicks. Steamed or roasted vegetables such as green beans, bell peppers, carrots, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, zucchini noodles or broccoli taste great after a bite of savory meat. A simple chopped or caesar salad would be an easy, yet perfect option.

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What are frozen meatballs made of? ›

BEEF, PORK, CHICKEN MECHANICALLY-SEPARATED, WATER, DEXTROSE, TEXTURED SOY FLOUR, SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, BREAD CRUMBS (WHEAT FLOUR, SALT, YEAST), CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF THE FOLLOWING: ONION POWDER, SALT, MALTODEXTRIN, GARLIC POWDER, BEEF BASE (ROASTED BEEF INCLUDING NATURAL BEEF JUICES, SALT, HYDROLYZED SOY PROTEIN, ...

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What are Hawaiian meatballs made of? ›

All you need is some ground beef, plus milk, eggs, breadcrumbs, and a few seasonings. The secret to these sweet and sour meatballs is the deliciously sticky sauce. (and the sauce ingredients are super simple to grab!) Not only is it soaked into every bite, but it creates a glossy coating that lets these beauties shine!

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What are authentic meatballs made of? ›

Ground beef, pork and veal are the most common choices in Italy when making meatballs. Some prefer just one, others a mix. It's really up to you. We definitely recommend staying away from chicken or turkey, though.

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What kind of meat is in Costco meatballs? ›

Meatballs: Ground Beef, Onion, Breadcrumbs (unbleached wheat flour, sugar, yeast, salt), Pecorino Romano Cheese (pasteurized sheep's milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), Parmesan Cheese (pasteurized cow's milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Whole Eggs, Parsley, Salt, Pepper. ALLERGENS: MILK, WHEAT, EGG.

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