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
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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
Wow, my mom and I have been making these for years.. I didn't realize they're so popular! I love making them, they're always the first to go at get togethers. And no one ever believes me when I tell them the TWO ingredients.. heh heh.. genius.
I used to make this all the time with currant jelly, but it was getting harder and harder to find so I started using the grape. But I'm super lazy apparently, cause I always just dump the jelly in over the meatballs and then pour the chili sauce over that, put the lid on and walk away, lol! No premixing ever and it turnes out just perfectly 🙂
LOVE your blog, thanks so much for all the tasty recipes y'all post!
Wow. I've never heard of this!! Amazing. I guess I'll have to try it out since so many other people support this recipe haha.
I have never seen this recipe in my life, so there definitely are people out there!
We had both grape jelly/chili sauce meatballs AND lil' smokies in BBA sauce at our wedding reception!! LOL It was a great reception- I bought big dishes and asked about 10 different ladies if they'd make something to fill a dish, and then handed it to them. They all did it and it was awesome!
I just thought you might like to know that I sent a link to this page to my husband's email with the subject line "Go ahead & make these. I won't mind."
I've always wanted this recipe, so thanks!
Sara- Agreed. Any brand of jelly works great for this recipe. I have even combined a few flavors of whatever I had left in the jar. This is definitely a great and easy recipe to keep in your back pocket!
I have made these before and they are AMAZING!!! I don't use the Heinz chili sauce. Instead, I use Homemade Chili Sauce. It is sold in the same section as the Heinz. It comes in a plain glass jar with a white lid with black writing and a small white label on it (resembles something you'd find at a general store). I don't know if the Heinz is spicy but this one has a little bit of a kick to it. No matter what sauce you use, this is a definite MUST try!!!!
Perfect, perfect, perfect! I was just looking for a sweet and sour meatball recipe and here you posted one : ) Thank you!!
We always use this recipe…so simple and quick. I've seen a lot out there with many more ingredients but who has time?