Description
Marmalade Meatballs are a delicious and tangy appetizer or main dish featuring juicy ground beef meatballs cooked to perfection and coated in a sweet and savory orange marmalade sauce. This easy-to-make recipe combines flavors of barbecue sauce, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, making it perfect for parties or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying, optional)
Sauce
- 1 cup orange marmalade
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly. Then, shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the meatballs in the skillet and cook, turning occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until they are browned on all sides and cooked through. Alternatively, you can bake the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes until fully cooked and browned.
- Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, combine the orange marmalade, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes. Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sauce is smooth, well blended, and bubbly.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Add the cooked meatballs into the saucepan with the prepared sauce and toss them gently to coat evenly. Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve: Serve the marmalade meatballs hot. They can be enjoyed as a flavorful appetizer with toothpicks or served over rice or noodles as a main dish. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired for a pop of color and added freshness.
Notes
- You can bake the meatballs instead of frying for a healthier option.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit if you prefer no heat.
- These meatballs can be served as finger food or over a bed of rice or noodles for a filling meal.
- Make sure not to overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
- Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
