Holiday time definitely calls for cocktail meatballs. It’s a tradition right? And who doesn’t love these little bites of heaven anyway. Everyone has their family version and it’s always interesting to taste the different ways these meatballs can be prepared.
A while back a lovely woman and her daughters were in our winery tasting room. The conversation had turned to food, as it often does. She told me that she makes cocktail meatballs with grape jelly and French dressing. What? Really? Never heard of it. Is this common?
Now, I did know grape jelly is often used with chili sauce and sometimes French dressing is used with BBQ sauce, but I had not heard of the jelly and dressing mixed together. Turns out it’s an amazing combination, but I did add two things to make it even a little tastier.
I love when meatballs have a smokey taste so I pulled out one of my favorite ingredients, smoked paprika. It was perfect for this. And apple cider vinegar gave the whole dish a tune up.
Your friends and family are going to want you to share the recipe.
These will disappear…trust me.
Slow Cooker Sweet and Smokey Cocktail Meatballs
Ingredients
- 3 lbs frozen, cocktail sized meatballs, thawed (or homemade)
- 1 (16 oz) bottle French dressing
- 2 cups Concord grape jelly
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Directions
- Add meatballs to the bowl of a 7 quart slow cooker.
- In a large bowl whisk together dressing, jelly, vinegar and paprika. Pour over meatballs. Cook on high for two hours. Serve warm.
- I garnished mine with a little chive but it's not necessary.
- One Year Ago: Happy Thanksgiving
- Three Years Ago: Plum and Nectarine Crisps
- Four Years Ago: Chicken Poblano Casserole
- Five Years Ago: Mixed Green Salad with Pears, Goat Cheese and a Fig Vinaigrette
Cat Davis says
Now those are some ingredients I never would have thought would go together. I’ll have to try these but with homemade meatballs. I’m not a fan of the frozen ones.
Cathy says
I know right? It’s a really nice combo. As far as the meatballs, homemade are always amazing but with frozen it’s about finding the right brand. I think there are some good ones out there. Using frozen allows even the non-cooks to serve this recipe.
Diane in Cincinnati says
Are the meatballs pre-cooked??
Cathy says
Frozen ones are. If you make homemade you will have to cook them first.
Anna says
Can you share some of the frozen brands you like? All the ones I’ve tried tend to gross me out, but who wants to make all those meatballs by hand?
Cathy says
Kirkland is my fave.
Cathy says
Kirkland is my fave.
CJ says
Cathy, where do you find Kirkland frozen meatballs? Also someone else mentioned Ikea….what ? Have not seen them where I shop here in up-state NY
Cathy says
Kirkland is the Costco brand.
sherrie says
Hi, I just heard that Johnsonville has some really good frozen meatballs! Haven’t tried them yet but, I love their sausages so maybe worth a try!
Cathy says
Yep, they are amazing. I just did a recipe with those too. Here’s the link… https://noblepig.com/2013/12/kicked-up-classic-cocktail-meatballs/
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen says
I’m so intrigued by recipes like this! I’ve seen lots and lots of variations on the grape jelly cocktail meatball recipe but never with French dressing. I bet they are wonderful!
Suzie Waclawski says
I have never tried this with the french dressing but I use a merlot wine jelly in mine it is simple amazing….
Jamie says
The ingredients remind me so much of recipes made by my mom’s generation and there is something so nostalgic about it. But they were so delicious (and addictive) back then… and boy do they look good now!
snowmoonelk says
Mmm my mouth is watering! I have a pack of Ikea frozen Swedish meatballs in the freezer (where else!) and am going to do this for lunch! Might have to sub something for the grape jelly, though.
Ikea meatballs are really tasty, I normally serve them with lingonberry jelly and a cream sauce.
Shelley says
Canned cranberry jelly or apple jelly are a good substitute for the grape jelly.
Or you could use apple jelly and just add some purple grape juice.
snowmoonelk says
Thanks, Shelley, that’s a great idea! I jjust re-read my post and see I could probably use the lingonberry jam, too!
Sherri Schreiber says
sounds great .. 1 question …if you don’t use a slow cooker… how would you cook it??? bake on low for a while??
Cathy says
On the stove, not sure how long.