Cocktail Meatballs

Cocktail meatballs are something of a retro appetizer, but it’s a classic recipe that doesn’t need modernizing. Indeed, this cocktail meatball recipe is familiar to several generations. There’s no doubt that savory ground beef and zesty sauce on a stick has a timeless appeal. As for cooking time, you can pull it all together in just over an hour.

For this cocktail meatballs recipe, you’ll get the moistest texture if you use homemade soft bread crumbs. That’s really the secret to a restaurant-standard appetizer meatball. As for the sauce, play around with flavors to make these meatballs as sweet or as spicy as you need. 

Ingredients for Cocktail Meatballs

• Egg: You’ll need to beat a large egg, yolk and white, to bind the meatball mixture.
• Bread crumbs: This ingredient stops the meatballs from drying out and crumbling.
• Milk: Use 2% milk to moisten the bread crumbs to get a workable consistency.
• Onion: Finely chopped onion also helps bind the appetizer meatballs and gives a sweet aroma.
• Salt: A little salt enhances the beefy notes.
• Worcestershire sauce: This lends the meatballs a little zing and spice.
• Ground beef: Ground beef gives the meatballs a strong, savory flavor as opposed to sweeter pork meatballs.

Sauce

• Ketchup: You want the tomato flavor but also the acidity and sweetness.
• Onion: Chopped onion makes an appearance in the sauce for flavor.
• Sugar: You need only a little to boost the sweetness of the ketchup and get a thicker texture.
• Vinegar: To cut through the fat of the beef, you need the acidity of vinegar.
• Worcestershire sauce: It’s great with beef. It’s even better with ketchup.
• Pepper: Add a subtle heat to each bite with pepper.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the meatball mixture

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Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, combine the beaten egg, bread crumbs, milk, chopped onion, salt and Worcestershire sauce. Crumble the beef over the mixture, distributing it evenly, and mix well. Shape the mixture into meatballs the size of a Ping Pong ball.

Editor’s Tip: You can mix the meatballs in your hands (after oiling them to prevent sticking), or use a food mixer for a smoother consistency.

Step 2: Cover the meatballs in the sauce and bake

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In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the meatballs and drain off any excess fat. Place the meatballs in a baking dish. Combine the sauce ingredients and pour the sauce over the meatballs. Bake, uncovered, for 50 to 60 minutes until the meatballs are no longer pink. Stick a toothpick into each meatball and serve on a platter.

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Recipe Variations

• Quick version: To bring this cocktail meatballs recipe down to a quarter of the cooking time, brown the meatballs in the skillet, drain the fat, and then add the sauce and cook on a low heat until the beef is cooked through.
• Fruity sauce: Add a little orange juice to the sauce to give it a tangy, citrusy flavor.
• Spicy meatballs: For a fuller-flavored cocktail meatball recipe, add some ground cumin and red pepper flakes to the meatball mix for a smoky, spicy aroma. Or, add a dash of Sriracha or tabasco for heat.

How to Store Cocktail Meatballs

Store cooked appetizer meatballs, once cooled, in an airtight container for three to four days in the refrigerator. Thanks to the egg and bread crumbs, you won’t have to worry about them drying out.

Can you freeze cocktail meatballs?

To avoid clumps of iced beef, flash freeze the cooled meatballs first on a baking tray until they’re hard, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. You can freeze cocktail meatballs for one to two months. Simply reheat them in the oven to serve.

Cocktail Meatball Tips

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How do I make the soft bread crumbs?

Use some of your older cuts of bread to make soft bread crumbs. Tear any type of bread (sourdough adds another layer of flavor) into pieces and pulse the pieces in a food processor until you have crumbs. Or, go all out and try our recipe for seasoned bread crumbs.

What kind of ground beef is best?

You’ll get a good balance of moisture and flavor with an 80/20 ground beef mix, so not particularly lean. You’ll be draining off any excess fat anyway. Some cooks like to add ground pork to their meatballs too. It makes them slightly softer, so give it a go. 

What can I serve with cocktail meatballs?

Meatballs are so versatile that you could go back in time with a retro grape jelly, or serve a sour cream or ranch dip. Don’t overlook cocktail meatballs as a main meal, though. Just serve meatballs over rice or noodles.