The way to Make Grape Jelly Meatballs, however Up to date

When you watch Bravo’s Southern Allure—I’m extra of a Summer time Home gal myself—maybe you caught the second in season 8, episode 11, when Kathryn Dennis (who, I’m instructed, famously isn’t identified for her cooking) served grape jelly meatballs at Friendsgiving. Did you shudder? Have been you simply confused? Get on board, child, as a result of these meatballs are all the craze (once more).

For most individuals, “grape jelly” and “meatballs” are two components that sound like they shouldn’t be in the identical sentence, not to mention a dish. However if you happen to’re conversant in the thrills of classic recipes (like jiggling tomato aspic and “rumaki”), you’ve possible heard of this appetizer earlier than.

Regardless of sounding like a match made in literal hell, grape jelly meatballs (aka cocktail meatballs or chafing dish meatballs) have been a wildly standard social gathering appetizer for the reason that mid-century. In keeping with Food52’s fascinating deep dive, attributing the dish to an unique creator is surprisingly tough. Although it seems in some kind or one other in each Marian Burros and Lois Levine’s 1967 Elegant However Simple Cookbook and the 1978 version of Betty Crocker’s Cookbook, variations of “cocktail meatballs” made with grape jelly–based mostly sauces circulated for the reason that Nineteen Sixties.

The balls are a easy concoction, consisting of floor beef meatballs simmered in a sauce of grape jelly and a tomato-based chili or barbecue sauce, generally with lemon juice. They’re sticky, steadily ready in a gradual cooker and acquainted to many a Midwestern and Southern vacation gathering. And their recognition persists to today, even with out the Southern Allure cameo. A fast Google seek for “grape jelly meatballs” yields greater than 1.7 million outcomes.

Clearly, we don’t want to present you one other recipe for this crowd-pleaser…however we are able to’t resist placing our personal spin on it. Right here’s methods to make cocktail meatballs at house, and extra importantly, methods to replace them (with no additional effort in any respect).

Components
1½ cups chili sauce, tomato-based barbecue sauce or ketchup
1 cup grape jelly
Juice of ½ lemon (non-compulsory)
2 kilos cooked meatballs (do-it-yourself or frozen)

Instructions
1. In a big gradual cooker or Dutch oven, add the chili sauce, jelly and lemon juice and stir to mix. Add the meatballs and stir till coated.
2. If utilizing a gradual cooker, prepare dinner the meatballs on low for about 4 hours, stirring midway by way of. If utilizing a Dutch oven, simmer the meatballs, coated, over low warmth, stirring often, till the meatballs are heated by way of, about 1 hour.

As an alternative of Grape Jelly, Strive:

• Raspberry preserves
• Strawberry jelly
• Fig jam
• Apricot jelly

As an alternative of Beef Meatballs, Strive:

• Rooster
• Pork
• Turkey
• Cocktail wieners
• Plant-based meatballs

Strive including:

• Crushed crimson pepper flakes
• Worcestershire sauce
• Soy sauce
• Chopped flat-leaf parsley or chives (to garnish)

And if you wish to lose just a few hours, the grape jelly discourse is ready for you on the r/Southerncharm subreddit. See you there.

_{Katherine Gillen is PureWow’s senior meals editor. She’s a author, recipe developer and meals stylist with a level in culinary arts {and professional} expertise in New York Metropolis eating places. She used to sling sugary desserts in a pastry kitchen, however now she’s an avid house prepare dinner and fanatic baker.}