grandpa ray’s sweet and spicy meatballs

Name: Grandpa Ray’s Sweet & Spicy Meatballs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound(s) ground beef; 1/2 cup(s) bread crumbs; 1/3 cup(s) onion, finely minced; 1/4 cup(s) milk; 1 large egg; 1 tablespoon(s) fresh parsley; 1 teaspoon(s) Kosher salt; 1/8 teaspoon(s) black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon(s) Worcestershire sauce; 1/4 cup(s) olive, vegetable or canola oil; ## SAUCE INGREDIENTS; 12 ounce(s) jar chili sauce (prefer Heinz chili sauce); 10 ounce(s) jar of grape jelly; 1-2 tablespoon(s) hot pepper jelly, optional or a pinch or so of red pepper flakes

(3 RATINGS)

683 Pinches 12 Photos

Pattie Berriman

Springfield, IL

Updated on Nov 3, 2023

This recipe was handed down to me from my Grandpa Ray. He was the true cook of the family, and most of everything I learned came from him. When I started my first home, he was who I called each time I wanted to know how to cook something. This recipe is always served at my Christmas Eve gathering.

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Grandpa Ray's Sweet and Spicy Meatballs on a plate.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

These sweet and spicy meatballs are easy and delicious! We loved the bit of spice pepper jelly brings to this recipe. Making homemade meatballs makes the difference in this recipe, and they are delicious. Frying the meatballs in the pan gives the outer layer a nice crispness. Simmering in the tangy, sweet sauce lets the meatballs absorb all the yummy flavors. These would be great served as an appetizer or on top of a bowl of pasta.

— The Test Kitchen

prep time 15 Min

cook time 40 Min

method Stove Top

yield 24 meatballs

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/3 cup onion, finely minced
1/4 cup milk
1 large egg
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup olive, vegetable or canola oil
SAUCE INGREDIENTS
12 ounces jar chili sauce (prefer Heinz chili sauce)
10 ounces jar of grape jelly
1-2 tablespoon hot pepper jelly, optional or a pinch or so of red pepper flakes

How To Make grandpa ray’s sweet and spicy meatballs

Step 1

Mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, milk, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire. Gently shape into 1-inch balls.

Step 2

Heat the oil in a large skillet and brown the meatballs. Remove the meatballs. Set aside and pour off the fat from the skillet.
Step 3

Pour the chili sauce and the grape jelly into the pan and heat. Stir constantly until all of the jelly has melted. To kick it up a bit, stir in some hot pepper jelly.
Step 4

Return the meatballs to the skillet. Simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes.
Step 5

To keep warm place into a chafing or warming dish. Or, deposit the whole skillet of meatballs into a Crock Pot and keep covered on low. Check occasionally to make sure that the meatballs are not crumbling. Have toothpicks handy to spear meatballs with! You can use frozen meatballs; although, I have tried them and did not like the results. Also, you can use Lil’ Smokies.
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