Description
Hot Pepper Jelly Meatballs are a flavorful and easy appetizer featuring tender meatballs coated in a sweet and spicy sauce made from hot pepper jelly, barbecue sauce, and savory seasonings. Perfect for parties or as a savory snack, these meatballs simmer to juicy perfection with a glossy, tangy glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 ½ pounds frozen meatballs (homemade or store-bought)
Sauce
- 1 cup hot pepper jelly
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a large saucepan or skillet, combine hot pepper jelly, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, and apple cider vinegar. Heat the mixture over medium heat while stirring continuously until the jelly melts and the sauce becomes smooth and well combined.
- Add meatballs: Add the frozen meatballs to the saucepan, stirring thoroughly to coat them evenly with the sauce.
- Simmer the meatballs: Reduce heat to medium-low and let the meatballs simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to ensure they are heated through and well-glazed with the sauce.
- Serve and garnish: Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish and garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired. Serve warm with toothpicks for easy snacking or over rice as a complete meal.
Notes
- You can use homemade or store-bought frozen meatballs depending on your preference and time constraints.
- Adjust the heat by selecting hot pepper jelly with varying spice levels.
- For a gluten-free version, verify that the soy sauce and barbecue sauce are gluten-free, or substitute with tamari and gluten-free barbecue sauce.
- Garnishing with fresh herbs adds color and enhances the flavor.
- These meatballs can be kept warm in a slow cooker for parties after simmering.
