Piquant Cocktail Meatballs
Perfect for parties or an elevated appetizer, these Piquant Cocktail Meatballs pack a flavorful punch that’s sure to impress. Made with a savory blend of ground beef and pork, parmesan cheese, and aromatic herbs, these tender meatballs are baked to golden perfection before being coated in a bold, homemade piquant sauce. The sauce, a zesty combination of ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and a touch of heat from hot sauce and red pepper flakes, infuses every bite with sweet, tangy, and spicy goodness. Ready in under an hour and ideal for serving with toothpicks or keeping warm in a slow cooker, these crowd-pleasing meatballs are a must-have addition to your next gathering.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 pound ground pork
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.75 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.75 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, milk, minced garlic, onion powder, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Lightly brush the meatballs with olive oil to help them brown, then bake them in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the piquant sauce by combining the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes in a medium-sized saucepan.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sauce begins to simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the flavors meld together.
Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the saucepan with the piquant sauce. Gently toss to coat the meatballs evenly in the sauce.
Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
Serve the meatballs warm with toothpicks for easy handling. They can also be kept warm in a slow cooker for parties.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
420 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 27.6 g | 35% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.1 g | 50% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 112 mg | 37% | |
| Sodium | 460 mg | 20% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 19.8 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.6 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.0 g | ||
| Protein | 23.1 g | 46% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 83 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 2.6 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 321 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
