Perfect for watch parties and celebrations, these Stovetop Party Meatballs are super easy to make. And the sweet and tangy flavors in the homemade sauce are perfectly balanced - no crockpot required.
Also known in my community as "baby shower meatballs", this appetizer is an absolute staple for parties and gatherings. The original recipe uses store-bought grape jelly, but we take this recipe up a notch with a quick blueberry jam and some extra spices. You can use frozen or homemade meatballs!
The Coined Breakdown
- Total Cost per serving (8 meatballs): $1.43
- Total Cost (about 40 meatballs): $11.41
- Those Other Guys: $12.99 per serving
Ingredients
- Frozen Meatballs - To save some time and effort, you can 100% use frozen meatballs. I like the turkey ones, but pork/beef/meatless work too.
- BBQ Sauce - For the savory element to our sauce. Your favorite brand is fine.
- Blueberry Jam - Blueberry jam lends some sweetness to our meatball sauce. I use this blueberry preserves recipe and stick an immersion blender in there to get it smooth.
- Hot Sauce - For some subtle heat. Hot sauce also has lots of vinegar which is important to balance out the sweet elements.
- Worcestershire - I love adding a touch of Worcestershire sauce for extra smoky flavor.
- Spice Blend - We season the meatballs with a blend of red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Variations and Substitutions
Instead of Blueberry Jam: You can use grape jelly, cranberry sauce, or seedless raspberry jam.
Instead of BBQ Sauce: Try teriyaki for an Asian-inspired twist, or chili sauce for more kick!
Instead of Frozen Meatballs: You can make your own! I have a recipe for chicken meatballs that is so easy. Just make sure your homemade meatballs are fully cooked before adding to the sauce.
How to Make Stovetop Party Meatballs
Step 1: Add your jam, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and seasonings to a Dutch oven.
Step 2: Melt on low heat until smooth.
Step 3: Pour in your frozen meatballs (or cooked meatballs if you made them yourself.)
Step 4: Stir until they are completely covered, then cover the pot and simmer until warmed through. It's that easy!
Recipe Pro Tips
- Using preserves? Most preserves keep some fruit pieces in the jam. You can use an immersion blender to get a silky smooth sauce.
- Sauce too thick? Add just a bit of water to help thin it out.
- Using homemade meatballs? Make sure to cook them completely before adding to the sauce. We're essentially just heating the fully-cooked meatballs up in the sauce and then they are ready to serve.
Recipe FAQs
Because frozen meatball brands are usually fully cooked, we don't have to worry about getting to a specific temperature. We're essentially making a sauce and then warming up the meatballs.
Sure thing. Just cook them completely before adding to the sauce.
Other Party Food Recipes You'll Love!
If you tried this Stovetop Party Meatballs Recipe, or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you! Thanks for visiting!
Stovetop Party Meatballs
Equipment
- Dutch Oven with Lid
- Silicone Spoon
- Food-Grade Bamboo Toothpicks optional - for serving
Ingredients
- 1 cup blueberry jam
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 20 ounces frozen meatballs my bag contained about 40 meatballs
Instructions
- On low heat, melt together all ingredients except for the meatballs in a large dutch oven. If your sauce is too thick, stir in ¼ cup of water.
- Stir well, then pour in the meatballs from frozen.
- Cover the pot with its lid, and cook the dish for 10 minutes or until the meatballs are warmed through.
- Serve alongside bamboo toothpicks for a grab & go bite, or top bowl of brown rice with the meatballs. Enjoy!
Camille Wang says
So good!! I live in a very small nyc apartment and don’t have room for crockpots or extra kitchen appliances. These meatballs came out perfectly. Used frozen beef/pork blend meatballs and mixed fruit jam from my fridge.
Shani W. says
Yes, these are just as good without using a slow cooker! Thank you for commenting Camille 🙂