Sweet & Sticky Party Meatballs are my classic homemade meatballs, in a sweet and tangy sauce. Kept warm in a crock pot, they are the perfect appetizer or main course for any grazing menu or special occasion. The same basic homemade meatballs are versatile and can be used in any meatball recipe!
New Year’s Eve
Sweet & Sticky Party Meatballs are a staple at our quiet little New Year’s Eve party. It’s just us, at home with 2 kids – we may do the countdown at 8pm! We always have a grazing appetizer menu with meatballs in the crock pot, some sort of meat and cheese tray, fruit and nuts, or veggies and snacks to dip. The meatballs work perfectly, they are hearty enough to make it a meal, but can be eaten a few at a time over the course of the night. And the best part, my kids love them! I’ve served them for many of their backyard birthday parties too.
The Versatile Meatball
This is the third way I have posted meatballs. They are all the same homemade meatball recipe, just used in different sauces:
- Norwegian Meatballs in a gravy sauce with lefse
- Italian Meatball Subs with marinara sauce or over spaghetti
- and here, the exact same meatballs, Sweet & Sticky Party Meatballs
Homemade meatballs are a bit of work, but so much better than the frozen store-bought kind. I often double the recipe and freeze extras raw to use in one of the other meatball styles and sauces. They are a great meal prep recipe to have in the freezer for easier weeknight meals. Thaw them overnight in the fridge and use them in any way!
How to Serve
If you are having a big party and have plenty of work to do, meatballs can be made a day in advance and kept in the fridge. The sauce can also be premixed in a jar and refrigerated a day ahead. Warm them all together in a crockpot before your party. Keep them warm in a crockpot for any event, backyard birthday party or holiday gathering. These party meatballs are the perfect appetizer or main course for any grazing menu. Homemade meatballs are worth the effort, especially when you make extras for the freezer. Sweet and tangy, tender and delicious, meatballs are a family favorite!
Happy New Year!!
Sweet & Sticky Party Meatballs
Ingredients
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 small onion small dice, olive oil, salt and pepper
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 2 eggs
- 1 c breadcrumbs
- 2 T Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 c milk
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 t kosher salt
- 6 grinds fresh black pepper
- 1/2 c grated Parmesan
- For the Sauce:
- 1/2 c ketchup
- 1/2 c jam mulberry or blackberry
- 1/4 c bbq sauce
- 1/4 c honey
- 1/2 c water
Instructions
- In a large saute pan or dutch oven set over low heat, caramelize onion until golden brown in a little olive oil, and season with salt and pepper, stir occasionally, about 30 minutes
- Meanwhile, mix all other meatball ingredients in a large bowl, including onions when they are done
- Form into meatballs and set on a sheet pan. They should be about ping pong ball size, use an ice cream scoop to portion, makes about 20. (At this point you can freeze or refrigerate meatballs, some or all, for later use, or try doubling the meatball recipe to really stock the freezer!)
- Preheat oven to 400°
- Reheat the pan from the onions or use a clean dutch oven or large pan, over medium high heat, add 1 T olive oil. Brown the meatballs on one side, then flip and do the other side (about 2 minutes per side). Cook meatballs in about 2 or 3 batches so you do not crowd the pan. When done return them to the sheet pan (don’t worry that it had the raw meatballs on them, you will be baking the whole thing)
- Place pan in oven for about 10-15 minutes to finish cooking the meatballs through, cut one open to check
- At this point you can store the meatballs in the freezer or fridge or put them into the sauce
- For the sauce, mix all ingredients in a crock pot. When heated through, add the meatballs and serve
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