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grandpa ray’s sweet and spicy meatballs

(3 ratings)
HunnyBerri avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Pattie Berriman
@HunnyBerri
Springfield, IL

This recipe was handed down to me from my Grandpa Ray. He was the true cook of the family, and most of everything I learned came from him. When I started my first home, he was who I called each time I wanted to know how to cook something. This recipe is always served at my Christmas Eve gathering.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

These sweet and spicy meatballs are easy and delicious! We loved the bit of spice pepper jelly brings to this recipe. Making homemade meatballs makes the difference in this recipe, and they are delicious. Frying the meatballs in the pan gives the outer layer a nice crispness. Simmering in the tangy, sweet sauce lets the meatballs absorb all the yummy flavors. These would be great served as an appetizer or on top of a bowl of pasta.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(3 ratings)
yield 24 meatballs
prep time 15 Min
cook time 40 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For grandpa ray’s sweet and spicy meatballs

  • 1 lb
    ground beef
  • 1/2 c
    bread crumbs
  • 1/3 c
    onion, finely minced
  • 1/4 c
    milk
  • 1 lg
    egg
  • 1 Tbsp
    fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp
    Kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp
    black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp
    Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 c
    olive, vegetable or canola oil
  • SAUCE INGREDIENTS
  • 12 oz
    jar chili sauce (prefer Heinz chili sauce)
  • 10 oz
    jar of grape jelly
  • 1-2 Tbsp
    hot pepper jelly, optional or a pinch or so of red pepper flakes

How To Make grandpa ray’s sweet and spicy meatballs

  • Mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, milk, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire.
    1
    Mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, milk, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire. Gently shape into 1-inch balls.
  • Browning meatballs in a skillet.
    2
    Heat the oil in a large skillet and brown the meatballs. Remove the meatballs. Set aside and pour off the fat from the skillet.
  • Pour the chili sauce and the grape jelly into the pan and heat.
    3
    Pour the chili sauce and the grape jelly into the pan and heat. Stir constantly until all of the jelly has melted. To kick it up a bit, stir in some hot pepper jelly.
  • Add the meatballs to the sauce.
    4
    Return the meatballs to the skillet. Simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes.
  • A bowl of Grandpa Ray's Sweet and Spicy Meatballs.
    5
    To keep warm place into a chafing or warming dish. Or, deposit the whole skillet of meatballs into a Crock Pot and keep covered on low. Check occasionally to make sure that the meatballs are not crumbling. Have toothpicks handy to spear meatballs with! You can use frozen meatballs; although, I have tried them and did not like the results. Also, you can use Lil’ Smokies.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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