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
There are so many variations of this recipe. I use jellied cranberry sauce in place of grape jelly. And some BBQ sauce. So good!
At my job we used to have a Fat Tuesday potluck. The first year I made two 5lb. bag of GFS meatballs. People were stopping by my desk to see if all of them had been put out on the table. The second year I doubled the amount and you heard people in the hallway saying “ooh, the meatballs are here”. I finally refused to make more than 8 bags. But what fun. Didn’t add a thing to the recipe – it’s perfect. So just a warning, if you don’t show up with these you may not be allowed in the door.
??❤️
This is an amazing recipe. My friend’s recipe adds the juice of one lemon.
I catered a friends party. She specifically asked for this recipe to be made. Her only addition to this recipe was the juice of one lemon. I have to admit when I saw the ingredients, I winced and almost gagged. The party was for 12 people and we had a lot of other appetizers. We bought a six pound bag of frozen Costco meatballs. I argued that three pounds of meatballs would be more than enough. By the middle of the party, I was making the remaining three pounds of meatballs w/sauce and there weren’t a lot of leftovers of this marvelous recipe.
Your meatballs’s color is so amazing! Is there any substitute of grape jelly can be used for this recipe?
Sure, you can use just about any flavor of jelly 🙂
This weekend I needed to bring a dish to a party. I remembered that everyone loved the little meatballs at my Aunt’s annual Christmas party. But I never knew the recipe. So, I found your site, grabbed all the ingredients and made these (with frozen meatballs). I have to admit, I was skeptical and a little worried that it would be a fail. (I am all thumbs in the kitchen, to say the least). But they were GREAT!!! The sauce clings nicely. Perfect combo of tangy/sweet/spicy. THANK YOU!
This was the cats meow at my Christmas Lucheon! It was a potluck lunch! I let quite a few people ahead of me in the lunch line, maybe was a mistake! When I got to my crockpot of meatballs, they were completely polished off. Never even got to try one! Lol. So today I am at home wondering what to make for supper! And it dawns on me at 2pm. I already had meatballs made, just need the sauce! So I went to Walmart quickly as I set my crock pot to high! Can’t wait to taste these! I got nothing but great compliments from people at work! Thanks again!
Cheers!
I cook both smokeys and meatballs together, heat on stove, so easy.
Can I use cranberry sauce and grape jelly instead of chili sauce?
You could certainly try, but I think it would lack the savory component the chili sauce adds.
I have had these a few times at sport-viewing parties along with other appetizers. But if you were having these for dinner what would you serve with them? Thanks for any suggestions!
You could put them on little rolls, for sliders- they’re super good that way. Paired with a nice salad and fruit would make a great meal! Or the sweet and sour combo actually works really well over rice, too!
Need to know the brand of the SMALL CAN of spaghetti sauce mixed with a can of cranberry sauce to make sweet ad sour meatballs. It may no longer be available, but going nuts trying to remember the name.
Sorry, I’m not sure!
Do I also need to use cooking spray before pouring the sauce in the crockpot or is it okay if I just add the sauce to the crockpot and then add the meatballs. I figured I would cook them for 4 hrs. in my crockpot. I do not have a lower time on my crockpot other than that. Please let me know. Thanks !!
I was just wondering if I can use a 2 lb. bag of frozen meatballs. I tried to find the original Farmrich meatballs but they don’t make them in 2 lbs. They make them in 1 lb. 12 oz. Could I substitute and use the 2 lb. bag of Italian Style frozen meatballs instead? Please let me know. Thanks !!
I was just wondering if I can use a 2 lb. bag of the Italian Style Meatballs. The originai Farmrich meatballs do not come as 2 lbs. Please let me know. Thanks !!
I’ve tried meatballs with cranberry sauce, but not grape jelly. I bet this version is awesome as well!
We use 2 – 12oz chili sauce and 1 16 oz grape jelly, heat in sauce pan , pour over frozen meatballs in crockpot and cook on low untill ready – very good and they always go
Do you have a recipe for the meatballs? Store bought meatballs are just gross. 🙁 I’m kinda surprised that you guys even use them.
If making these for meatball subs, about how many people do you think that would serve? I’m planning a dinner for 25-30 people (hungry TEENS!) and am trying to figure out about how many pounds of meatballs to prepare. Thanks!
Danielle, you’ll probably want to look at a package of meatballs and see how many meatballs are in there and then decide how many you want per person and start doing the math!