Published: December 20, 2019 | Updated: July 23, 2025
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These little bites are my longtime go-to recipe, and are guaranteed to be a hit at your next function. You could also alternatively make your own meatballs form scratch, but I’m usually in a rush when preparing appetizers. Therefore, I prefer using frozen ones to save on time. My favorite brand of meatballs to use are Rosina Meatballs, which can be found here on Instacart. Below you will find the recipe for these yummy treats:
Cocktail Meatball Recipe Ingredients
Cocktail style meatballs are the perfect appetizer to make for a party, tailgate, girls night, or any other special event. To make these yummy treats, all you need are five simple ingredients: frozen meatballs, grape jelly, yellow mustard, chili sauce, and parsley to garnish!
Party Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz grape jelly
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 jars Heinz chili sauce
- 26 oz frozen meatballs
- 1 tsp olive oil
- fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Take a pot or large sauce pan and drizzle in some olive oil. Remove the frozen meatballs from their package and place these in a pot over medium heat to defrost. You should lightly sear your meatballs before adding your sauce mixture in the next step. You can also cover your pot with a lid to speed up the cooking process.
- As your meatballs are defrosting, take a separate sauce pan and over medium heat, combine grape jelly, yellow mustard, and chili sauce. Occasionally stir until ingredients are combined. Once combined, remove from heat.
- Once your meatballs have defrosted and seared, and your sauce is ready, combine your meatballs and sauce mixture into one pan and stir. Allow this to simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes and then remove from heat.
- That's it! Your meatballs are ready to serve! Make your meatballs easy to serve for your guests by adding toothpicks and garnish with chopped parsley. Enjoy!
These will be a hit for the holidays. I may need to make a double batch so I can have some leftovers! I like the addition of chili sauce.
This looks so delicious! I love that is is a quick and easy recipe too. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
Uhm Uhm….you have my heart now! Meatballs+Mustard = my great love. Infact, why don’t I make my own, one of these days?
These looks yummy, nice to have at the ready with some red wine when guests arrive. I have never tried adding grape jelly to mine before, will have to give that a go!
Now that’s what I’m talking about! Nothing is a bigger hit at parties than meatballs. I love how easy this recipe is.
Perfect for holiday functions. Meatballs that taste good are always a big hit.
You can’t beat meatballs when it comes to pleasing a crowd. I’m a fan of how easy this recipe is. I love to serve up tasty treats to my guests, but I don’t love being in the kitchen for hours.
Yummy! I love meatballs and these are so simple and easy to make. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
These meatballs look so good! I never thought to put jelly in the sauce. I bet that gives them the bit of sweetness they need.
Yum! These look amazing. Do you think you could freeze them to pull out for the future?
Yes! I recommend recooking in a crockpot if you freeze them! 👌
those look great. i love easy recipes. i will def have to try these out.
Looks very easy to make. I enjoy these as hot dourves
Wow! This looks delicious. It’s been a while since we had meatballs and now, I am craving for one. Love your take on this recipe and can’t wait to try it. Thank you for sharing.
Such a great recipe. This looks so great for a get together!
Can you make this recipe without chili sauce by chance? I am out and trying to see if you can pull these off with only jelly and mustard as ur ingredients??
Hi! Yes you can! I recommend replacing the chili sauce with BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s is my favorite!) 😊. BBQ Sauce is a great substitute