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Game Day Meatballs Recipe – Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Appetizer for Parties

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These juicy, crowd-pleasing meatballs are baked and tossed in a sticky sweet chili sauce, making them the perfect quick and easy appetizer for game day, parties, or family gatherings. With a balance of sweet, savory, and a gentle kick of heat, they’re always a hit and endlessly adaptable.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1/2 lb ground pork
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs (plain or Italian-style, or panko)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • 1 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, egg, milk, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and parsley if using. Mix until just combined.
  3. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of mixture at a time and roll gently between your palms to form meatballs. Place about 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. You should get 24–28 meatballs.
  4. Bake meatballs for 18–20 minutes, or until browned and cooked through (internal temp 160°F).
  5. While meatballs bake, combine sweet chili sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Stir and bring to a simmer over medium heat for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy.
  6. Transfer baked meatballs to a large bowl. Pour hot sweet chili sauce over and gently toss to coat.
  7. Serve meatballs on a platter with extra sauce spooned over the top. Add toothpicks for easy grabbing and sprinkle with extra parsley, chives, or sliced green onions if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free bread crumbs and tamari. For dairy-free, use plant-based milk. Don’t overmix the meatball mixture for tender results. Meatballs can be made ahead and reheated in a slow cooker. Freeze raw meatballs for easy prep; bake from frozen with 5 extra minutes. Sauce can be adjusted for spice or sweetness. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water.

Nutrition

Keywords: game day, meatballs, sweet chili sauce, appetizer, party food, baked meatballs, easy recipe, crowd-pleaser, potluck, finger food

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/game-day-meatballs-recipe-easy-sweet-chili-sauce-appetizer-for-parties/