HomeRecipesSouthern Meatball Recipe

Southern Meatball Recipe

You may not have heard of them but these southern meatballs are one of the most popular appetizers around! They are easy to make and everyone loves them.

Grape jelly, chili sauce, barbecue sauce and mustard come together to form a sweet-tangy-saucy sauce in this crockpot recipe that is perfect for gatherings.

Ingredients

The ingredients for this southern meatball recipe sound like they should be used in a nightmare scenario, but the result is a delicious party appetizer that generations of hostesses love. It’s a no-fuss, throw-everything-in-the-crockpot dish that’s perfect for a busy family or holiday dinner.

For this recipe, you’ll need ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, milk, egg, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper. Mix the ingredients together until well combined, and then roll the mixture into 1 to 1-1/2 inch balls. Set aside to cool before serving.

You can use frozen meatballs in this recipe, but they will likely have a thinner consistency than those made from scratch. You can also substitute a lean ground turkey for the beef in this recipe.

To make the meatballs, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking pan with foil. You can bake the meatballs in the oven or heat vegetable oil in a large skillet and brown them on all sides.

Once cooked, transfer the meatballs to the crockpot with the chili sauce and grape jelly. Stir to coat and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, stirring halfway through cooking.

Serve these tangy, smoky, and incredibly delicious cocktail meatballs with a bowl of hot rice or mashed potatoes, or a sub roll. You can also add a sprinkle of chopped chives or parsley for garnish.

This recipe is easy to make ahead and can be frozen for later use. Simply reheat the meatballs in the crockpot before serving, and you can enjoy them again many times over!

When you’re ready to serve your guests, pour the chili and grape jelly mixture over the meatballs in a large chafing dish. Garnish with a few extra sprigs of parsley and chives, and let everyone dig in!

The original recipe for this southern meatball recipe calls for a blend of 80/20 ground beef and pork, but you can easily substitute other types of meat. You can even make these meatballs gluten free by substituting GF breadcrumbs and gluten-free Worcestershire sauce. You can also substitute currant or apple jelly for grape jelly in this recipe, if you prefer a sweeter dessert-style appetizer.

Preparation

Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or a holiday party, there’s nothing like a good Southern meatball recipe to help get the crowd in a festive mood. These bourbon-laced meatballs are the perfect way to turn your crockpot into a mini buffet for your guests.

Start with a mix of ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, milk, egg, parsley, and Cajun seasoning. Shape into 1-inch balls and bake until golden brown on the outside and cooked through on the inside.

While the meatballs are cooking, prepare your gravy. Add a stick of butter and a splash of flour to the pan and whisk until smooth, then add your beef broth, and cook for 30 minutes over medium heat.

It’s best to make the gravy ahead of time, so that it can be reheated during your party. You can also freeze the sauce for later use.

The most difficult part of this southern meatball recipe is forming the balls, but it’s a lot easier than you might think. I recommend using a small or medium cookie scoop for this task, so that you can make uniform size meatballs.

It’s also important to saute the meatballs in a pan to get that lovely golden-brown color on their exterior. You’ll want to do this in batches, so that you don’t overcook the meatballs. Afterwards, you’ll have to stir them up in the sauce for a few minutes until they are coated and warm through. Luckily, this is one of those recipes that’s a snap to put together for any occasion.

Cooking

Whether you’re looking for a delicious, easy appetizer or a main dish, this southern meatball recipe is a go-to option. You can serve these bite-sized treats with fresh bread or a salad, or pair them with pasta and your favorite veggie side dish.

These tangy, sweet, and savory meatballs are made with a sauce that’s made from chili sauce and grape jelly. They are a perfect addition to any party or family gathering, and they’re sure to please!

The best thing about these meatballs is that they can be made ahead of time and then reheated for a quick dinner. They’re also great for freezing, so make a big batch and stash them in the freezer until you’re ready to eat them.

They can be cooked on the stove top or in a slow cooker. If you’re cooking them in a slow cooker, add the chili sauce and jelly to your crock pot before adding the meatballs. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.

You can also make them in a dutch oven or similar pot on the stovetop. To do this, combine the chili sauce and jelly with a jar of thawed meatballs in your pot over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally to coat the meatballs completely.

When they’re done, they’ll be soft and juicy. You can reheat them in the same pot or transfer them to a bowl for serving.

This is a wonderful way to use up leftovers from your meal. You can also double the recipe and make a big batch of these and store them in the freezer for later.

These meatballs are a staple at many parties and can be served with toothpicks for an easy appetizer. They’re a great choice for holiday parties or family gatherings, and they can even be frozen for serving several weeks later.

The best part about these meatballs is that they are super simple to make. They’re made with just a few ingredients and can be made in a variety of ways. You can use them in spaghetti and meatballs, in a meatball po’boy, or for a sweet and sour dinner. You can also freeze them for later and reheat them in the crock pot.

Serving

If you’re looking for a Southern meatball recipe that is full of flavor and will be a hit at your next gathering, this boozy, Southern-style Bourbon Meatballs Recipe is the one to make. They’re a perfect addition to your buffet table and will have everyone coming back for more.

The key to this tasty meatball recipe is using fresh bread crumbs which help to keep the meatballs moist and tender. You can also use store-bought breadcrumbs but they will be more dense and won’t hold up as well.

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, cracker crumbs, onion, parsley, Cajun seasoning, and beaten egg. Shape the mixture into 1 inch balls.

Once the meatballs are formed, you can place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown. Once they’re done, remove them from the oven and serve alongside your favorite side dish.

Another way to enjoy these meatballs is to dip them in your favorite sauce and top them with mashed potatoes. They’re a match made in heaven and you can even add a few extra ingredients to the mashed potatoes to make them even more delicious!

If you’re looking for a sweet-and-tangy, Southern style meatball that you can serve as an appetizer or main dish, this recipe is the one to make. They’re covered in a sweet and tangy BBQ Grape Jelly Sauce, which makes them the perfect pair for any dish!

The best part is that they’re super easy to prepare! The entire process can be done in less than an hour. You’ll have the house smelling amazing and your mouth will be watering before you know it!

This is also the perfect appetizer for a party or a swanky dinner. With a combination of chili sauce, grape jelly and Dijon mustard, they’re delicious on their own, or paired with other small bites like shrimp empanadas, cheese plates, and charcuterie.

You can also freeze the leftovers of this Southern meatball recipe and reheat them in the crock pot or on the stovetop in your favorite BBQ sauce. The crock pot is the best option, as it cooks them without heating up the whole kitchen.

Must Read