Cocktail Meatballs

Party Sized Meatballs with a light apricot barbecue sauce glaze

We are about to enter into the official party season! Sometimes it feels like nonstop parties and get-togethers from now until New Years!  All these parties mean great party food! Are you ready? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

These cocktail meatballs are perfect for a formal gathering or an impromptu get-together.

These cocktail meatballs can be made ahead of time which makes them even more perfect for the holidays!

If you are a regular reader of Beyond the Chicken Coop you know that I live in a house full of hunters (hubby and all three kids.) Which means I have freezers full of wild game. Many of my recipes are made with elk meat. These Italian Meatballs are one of our favorites.

I made these meatballs with ground elk meat. Now don’t let that scare you away! You can use lean ground beef and your meatballs will be amazing too!

To save time,  use a scoop to shape the meatballs! When making these meatballs I used the smallest scoop I had, because I wanted small meatballs.

You could use a larger scoop if you wanted larger meatballs! Use whatever you have or whatever fits your need.

Can I make Cocktail Meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can make these ahead of time.  To make ahead of time you mix and shape the meatballs, cover and refrigerate.  You could also bake, cool cover and freeze. You can add the sauce when you are ready to serve. The sauce is just a combination of apricot jam, barbecue sauce and red pepper flakes.

When it’s party time, simply mix up the apricot barbecue glaze.  Add the meatballs and you are ready to go!

Other great appetizers you might want to serve at your next party include Coconut Shrimp, Boursin Cheese, and Baked Brie. 

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5 from 5 votes

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Cocktail Meatballs

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

55 mins

 

Meatballs with apricot barbecue glaze

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cocktail Meatballs, Meatballs in apricot glaze, Party Meatballs

Servings: 70 meatballs

Calories: 37 kcal

Author: Kathy

Ingredients

Meatballs

• 1 1/2 pounds ground elk meat or lean ground beef
• 2 cups dried bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cloves garlic finely minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Sauce

• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 cup apricot jam
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

Meatballs

1. Place meat, bread crumbs and milk into a large bowl. Combine together using your hands or a large spoon.

2. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.  Let mixture set for 5 minutes and mix again.

3. Use a small scoop to create meatballs. Place meatballs on a lightly greased baking sheet. 

4. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.

5. Allow meatballs to cool. Remove from pan. Use right away, cover and refrigerate or place in freezer safe containers and freeze.

Sauce

1. Add barbecue sauce, apricot jam and red pepper flakes to a saucepan. Heat over medium low heat, stirring often.

2. Simmer sauce for 3-4 minutes. Add a portion of the meatballs at a time. Heat until meatballs are heated through. 

3. Remove meatballs from sauce letting excess sauce fall off. Place meatballs on a baking sheet and place in a 200 degree oven to keep warm.

4. Repeat with remaining meatballs. 

5. Serve warm

Nutrition Facts

Cocktail Meatballs

Amount Per Serving

Calories 37 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 1g 2%

Cholesterol 6mg 2%

Sodium 123mg 5%

Potassium 49mg 1%

Total Carbohydrates 4g 1%

Sugars 1g

Protein 2g 4%

Vitamin A 0.5%

Vitamin C 0.1%

Calcium 1%

Iron 2.5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.