Easy Meatball appetizer recipe made with an incredible 3 ingredient sauce that everyone raves about! Combine frozen meatballs & Lil Smokies in this simple & delicious appetizer recipe perfect for parties.
This meatball appetizer recipe is probably one of the simplest appetizers out there and it’s such a crowd pleaser. I’ve tasted many versions, but my meatball sauce recipe is THE BEST! It’s got a great smoky, sweet flavor, unlike other meatball appetizer sauces that end up just tasting like bbq sauce.
How to make meatball appetizer recipe
This delicious meatball and Lil Smokies appetizer is so easy to make! All you need is some Lil Smokies and meatballs (I just use store-bought frozen meatballs, but you’re welcome to make your own), barbecue sauce, chili sauce, and grape jelly. I use the Kraft Thick and Spicy Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce, but again, you’re welcome to use whatever type of barbecue sauce you’d like.
Grab your sauces and add them all in a saucepan and whisk it until well combined. Turn the heat up to medium and put the lid on the pan. Let it warm up for about 5 to 8 minutes and then whisk it again until the sauce is smooth and hot. Add the meatballs and Lil Smokies into the saucepan, turn the heat down to a medium-low. Put the lid back on the pan and let it cook for 30 minutes. It’s so nice to take a break and just let the amazing smell fill your kitchen!
This meatball appetizer recipe can easily be made in the crockpot! Just throw everything in, put the lid on and let this tasty treat cook on low for just 2-3 hours.
Serve with a side of big, manly-men watching football. {ok, ladies, you can have these too. I love them! I even like me a little football too. Probably not for the same reasons my hubby likes it, but who really cares?!}
Meatball Sauce with Grape Jelly
We make this meatball appetizers with a simple 3 ingredient sauce that tastes amazing! Yes, it calls for grape jelly. I know, I know, you likely haven’t eaten grape jelly since you were about 5, but trust me on this one! The grape jelly adds a sweet tanginess that when combined with the bbq sauce and chili sauce, it is out of this world delicious. Try it!
Lil Smokies & Meatballs Appetizer recipe ingredients
- 1 14-oz package Lil Smokies
- 25 meatballs (one 14-oz bag frozen meatballs)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce {I used Kraft Thick & Spicy Brown Sugar}
- 1 cup chili sauce
- 1 cup Grape Jelly
Directions on how to make meatball appetizer recipe
- Combine sauces and jelly in a saucepan and whisk to combine.
- Turn heat on medium and put the lid on the pot. After about 5-8 minutes, once the sauce has heated up a bit, whisk again until smooth.
- Add meatballs and Lil Smokies. Turn heat down to medium-low, replace lid and cook for about 30 minutes.
- You can also cook these in the crockpot: Add all ingredients and cook on medium 3-4 hours. (*Really, the meat is already cooked in both instances. You’re looking to defrost and heat the meatballs and help the flavors of the sauce meld.)
- Serve with a side of big, manly-men watching foot ball. {ok, ladies, you can have these too. I love them! I even like me a little football too. Probably not for the same reasons my hubby likes it, but who really cares?!}
Lil’ Smokies & Meatball Appetizer recipe
Easy Meatball appetizer recipe made with an incredible 3 ingredient sauce that everyone raves about! Combine frozen meatballs & Lil Smokies in this simple & delicious appetizer recipe perfect for parties.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: meatball appetizer
Servings: 15
Ingredients
- 1 14- oz package Lil Smokies
- 25 meatballs one 14-oz package frozen meatballs
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 cup chili sauce
- 1 cup Grape Jelly
Instructions
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Combine sauces and jelly in a saucepan and whisk to combine.
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Turn heat on medium and put the lid on the pot. After about 5-8 minutes, once the sauce has heated up a bit, whisk again until smooth.
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Add meatballs and Lil Smokies. Turn heat down to medium-low, replace lid and cook for about 30 minutes.
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You can also cook these in the crockpot: Add all ingredients and cook on medium 2-3 hours. (*Really, the meat is already cooked in both instances. You’re looking to defrost and heat the meatballs and help the flavors of the sauce meld.)
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Serve in the crock pot on warm, or transfer to a ceramic or porcelain bowl.Place appetizer forks or toothpicks nearby for easy snacking!
Recipe Notes
This is probably one of the simplest appetizers out there and it’s such a crowd pleaser. I’ve tasted many versions, but I really like that this sauce doesn’t just taste like bbq sauce! It’s different- it’s got a nice sweet, smoky favor that is just so good.
If you love these our easy meatball appetizer, try out some of our other favorite appetizer recipes:
–Best Homemade Chicken Strips
–Cheesy Meatball Bites
–Pizza Pinwheels
—Ranch Chicken Cheese Dip
–BBQ Chicken Bacon Pineapple Kabobs
–Ranch Sausage Rolls
How to keep Meatball & Lil Smokies appetizers warm
I serve these game day meatballs and smokies in a ceramic or porcelain bowl. Ceramic and porcelain retain heat well, so if you serve the meatballs and smokies hot, they’ll stay warm for around 30 minutes, which is usually more than enough time since they tend to get eaten quickly!
And of course if you cook them in the crockpot you can turn it on low or warm and serve it from in the crockpot.
What is the best brand of frozen meatballs?
My favorite brand of frozen meatballs is Kirkland, from Costco and Armor meatballs. I prefer to use the Italian style meatballs for this recipe, but I’ve also used the homestyle variety and enjoy both! The homestyle variety do seem to be smaller meatballs. I have tried two different off-brand varieties of frozen meatballs and our family didn’t care for either of them, so I only buy either Kirkland, if I’m at Costco or Armor meatballs.