This is one of those little recipes that I just assume everyone knows about. Then I make it for some gathering and inevitably find out that there are people in the world who have never heard of such a thing. I you are among those who have never before seen this recipe then you are in for a treat. There are only two ingredients in this sauce: grape jelly and chili sauce. If that sounds weird to you- don’t knock it ’til you try it! It’s the perfect sweet and sour glaze for meatballs or cocktail sausages (little smokies) and SO easy!
Ingredient Notes
- Meatballs or Little Smokies – This easy sauce can be used with both meatballs or little smokies cocktail sausages. For meatballs, keep it simple with precooked frozen meatballs. You could certainly make your own as well, just precook them before adding to the sauce. My personal favorite is Little Smokies!
- Chili Sauce – Chili Sauce can be found in the grocery store near the ketchup. It kind of looks like a small bottle of ketchup. It’s tangy, sweet, and tart all at the same time and full of spices. There are no substitutions here.
- Grape Jelly – The grape jelly adds sweetness and flavor and the result is a wonderful and quick sweet and sour sauce. Regular, generic grape jelly is great!
How to Make Sweet and Sour Little Smokies or Meatballs
1. Pour grape jelly and chili sauce into a medium sauce pan, or your slow cooker. Whisk together until smooth. It’s okay if there are some lumps, they will melt out when the sauce heats.
2. Add frozen meatballs or cocktail sausages. There is no exact science to the cook time. On the stove top I simmer on low for 15-20 minute until the sausages are plump or meatballs are cooked through. In the slow cooker, you can set it to low for a few hours. They get better with time! You could even cook them in the oven in a pan. I’d do it at about 300 degrees for at least an hour.
FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time? Yes! I would recommend making them the day of serving, but they can sit in the warm crock pot for several hours before serving.
How do I store leftovers? Just pop them in a container in the fridge. They’re great reheated.
How do I reheat sweet and sour little smokies? You can reheat gently in the microwave, or simmer on low on the stove top.
Related Recipes
Looking for some other appetizer recommendations? Check out these Our Best Bites favorites:
- Bacon Wrapped Cocktail Sausages
- Cranberry Orange Goat Cheese Bites
- Honey Cranberry Orange Baked Brie
- Mini Pastry Wrapped Brie Bites
- Pastry Wrapped Asparagus With Prosciutto
- Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
Did You Make This?
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Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Easy!}
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 oz jar chili sauce one standard jar, such as Heinz brand
- 16-18 oz grape jelly
- 2 lbs. frozen meatballs, or 2 12-ounce packages cocktail sausages precise amounts for sausages or meatballs aren't necessary, as long as they are covered completely by your sauce you are good to go.
Instructions
- Combine jelly and chili sauce in a pot on the stovetop, or in a crock pot an stir until smooth. Don't worry about lumps, they will melt as it heats.
- Add meatballs or cocktail sausages.
- Heat on low in a crock pot until sausages are plump or meatballs are cooked through (2-3 hours) or on the stove top on a low simmer for 15-30 minutes.
Notes
- Nutritional information was calculated using cocktail sausages.
Questions & Reviews
I also use this recipe with cut-up kielbasa. It's a Christmas Eve tradition at my house.
Those are so sickeningly good. I remember the first time I had them and the cook told me the recipe . . . I was glad I had eaten them BEFORE I knew what was in it!
Jennifer, I agree about the chili sauce. I you'll see in the picture I used cheap-o Walmart jelly but I only use the Heinz chili sauce!
This is such a classic and yummy recipe! My mom would make something similar with hot dogs, grape jelly, and barbecue sauce. She would cook them in the crock pot for a couple of hours and take it to potlucks or family gatherings. I've never seen people eat that many hot dogs. They're super yummy!
I remember doing the hot dogs, too! There’s just something so fantastic about the sweet and tangy thing that is so unexpected if you’ve never tried it!
Love this recipe! My mom made these growing up- usually at Christmas/New Year's. She calls them "cocktail meatballs". I've made them using apple jelly, red plum jelly and apricot preserves. All are delicious. My only "must" is to use Heinz brand cocktail sauce. Store-brands just don't seem to compare.
I've heard of this recipe but never knew where to find the chili sauce so thanks for filling a girl in! I have a yummy sweet and sour meatballs recipe but it's very time consuming so it will be nice to have a go-to quick recipe that I bet tastes just as good.
This is my "go to" recipe for pot lucks and they are always a hit! However, I have never heard of muddy buddies (hanging head in shame)…
consider carefully if you wish to proceed… they are the ultimate “can’t eat just one” food. : )
My uncle made these one time and I couldn't believe it when he told me the sauce contained grape jelly. I was floored, really! But man were those meatballs delish.
🙂
ButterYum
I used a similar type recipe for my sweet and sours but it uses salsa and apricot preserves. Same idea but I think I will give yours a try!
I use salsa and apricot preserves to make my apricot, salsa chicken over jasmine rice. Delicious
My Mom always used this recipe when I was growing up. I think I will use it for a Super Bowl party this weekend. Thanks for the reminder and have a great day!