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!}
Ingredients
- 1 12 ounce jar Chili Sauce1 16-18 ounce jar grape jelly2 pounds 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 crock pot an stir until smooth. Heat the mixture if needed to combine. Add meatballs or cocktail sausages and set temperature to low. Cook for 2-5 hours. Serve with toothpicks.
Questions & Reviews
I had these meatballs for the first time 22 years ago at a work potluck, and I had a hard time believing it was simply grape jelly and chili sauce 🙂 These days it works great on soccer nights ~ the great thing about them is that my kiddos and I can eat before we leave, then they stay on low for another hour until my husband gets home and he doesn’t have to have leftovers! Thanks for posting, there are a surprising number of people who are sadly unaware 🙂
Do you put the meatballs in frozen?
Are the packaged meatballs generally precooked?
Yep, they’re usually pre-cooked and you can just pop them in frozen.
My goodness! this is truly nothing new! This was served at my bridal shower in 1974. It was called Jewel’s barbecued meatballs!
One batch can easily feed five men. I use the frozen mini size meatballs from the grocery store. I mix up the jelly and chili sauce and then pour it over the frozen meatballs in the crock pot. I start it about 4 hours before the gathering and mix it once or twice during the course of the cooking time. Serve it right out of the crock pot!
Hi girls! You have probably already answered this question. How can you make this meal in the oven? Thanks for all your ideas. I love looking at your blog!
How many can one batch feed? Do I need to double it if I am feeding 5? 4 of which are men?
I was searching for an easy sweet and sour meatball recipe for a baby shower so I used this one and everyone kept raving about the meatballs.
can you double this recipe to 4 pounds of meat balls?
Sure 🙂
While I do 99% of the cooking my wife turn me on to this recipe years ago and I make it often and everyone just raves about them. I use the Heinz. Never tried the Smokies but next time I will as it sounds interesting.
You can also trade out the grape jelly for apricot jam or cranberry sauce (I use whole berry homemade) with very tasty results too. Sometimes I use HOMADE (brand) Chili Sauce instead of Heinz for a more mexi flavor.
OK! I, too, had never heard of this recipe until reading this just a couple of weeks ago. Tomorrow is Christmas Day, and I will be bringing these to my mom’s house in my crock pot! I hope they are as much of a hit as those on this board are indicating! Merry Christmas!
Hi
I plan on doing this with homemade meatballs, as I cannot stand the texture of frozen ones. Any tips on getting them to stay meatballs, and not because meat sauce? I’ll bake them first, then chill, then put in the crock. . .? Thanks. Also never heart of a muddy buddy
How do these do as leftovers? Can they be refrozen and then reheated without tasting icky? I’m not a good cook so I need to know.
I made a big boo boo the first time I cooked these several years ago. I thought chili sauce was tobasco sauce. Try eating something with a cup and a half of tobasco in it. It will make your head explode like Mt. Vesuvius!
Thank you for sharing your boo boo. I needed a laugh! I could just imagine this(and I love spicy food).
What a big hit this recipe was. These were delicious! My family thought they were great and the best part is, you can smell it cooking all day and it builds up the enthusiasm! They were sticky greatness in your mouth… Going to do this again!
Does the sauce have to completely cover over top of the frozen meat? I have a 2lb bag of frozen meatballs, the chili sauce and 14oz jelly
Can I use sugar free jelly?
Never tried it, you’d have to experiment.
I have put grape jelly with lipton onion soup mix – delicious !!!
I love sweet and sour meatballs. When I prepare I usually grab the fresh pre-rolled ground beef from Publix that is already seasoned. I also use medium salsa in place of the the chile sauce (for a kick of heat) and use cranberry jelly in place of the grape jelly. Either way they are DELICIOUS!
I made these for the first time last year and everyone loved them and didn’t know it was my first time making them. I’m making them again for a work bbq and another time for a babyshower. These are great. I added a little bit of syrup to make them a little sweeter.
I was introduced by a friend to your site,love it. I have 7 kids who all loved these,pretty amazing to get all 7 on the same page! Took them to a wedding shower and everyone wanted the recipe,were shocked it was so simple! Thank you for all your hard work that makes my life a bit easier! All these recipes are wonderful!
I’ve never made these before but plan to try this recipe for a hockey lunch tomorrow. I’m hoping to impress hockey moms. Fingers crossed!
@Jill: I spice up the sauce a little bit, by adding Worcestershire, dry mustard powder, and garlic powder (all to taste). I also do cut-up Kielbasa pieces, instead of meatballs. I think sauteed onions would be fantastic. This is my Super Bowl standard recipe (along with bacon-wrapped dates and hot cheesy spinach-artichoke dip!). You’ll love it, and you won’t have any leftovers.
OK…what’s muddie buddies?
Does anyone fancy up the sauce with sauteed onions or anything? Was thinking about this for Super Bowl Sunday!
I love the meatball idea; I’ll add it to the chicken recipe I’ve used for years.
Uncooked chicken pieces in apricot preserves, chile sauce and dry onion soup mix, and bake or slow cooker. Simply delish!
Can this recipe be used in the microwave?
It *could* be, but I think it’s better when simmered for a while.
how long after cooking can I leave in refridg
after cooking the cocktail meat balls , how long can I leave them in refidge
I used a can of the jellied cranberry sauce instead of grape jelly with the chili sauce. Same good results! You are right about Heinz Chili Sauce! I tried store brand ONCE! Never again.