Crafting family recipes has a unique charm that people adore. One such recipe is the old-fashioned Sweet & Spicy Meatballs. You may know it as the one people bring in a crockpot to your Super Bowl party.
These crowd-pleasers are perfect for any gathering. With our upgrade, they’ll be famous beyond your family!
A New and Improved Twist
Families originally made this homemade meatball recipe with ingredients from their pantry. Grandma’s recipes featured peach jam, barbecue sauce, and various spices from her pantry’s baking shelf.
This beloved dish has now received an exciting upgrade that takes it to a whole new level of deliciousness. Our new and improved recipe swaps plain peach jam for our Peach Habanero pepper jelly. This simple change adds a delightful kick, making the recipe irresistible to family and friends alike.
Ingredients
For this upgraded version, you’ll need the following ingredients: 
Simple Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Meatballs
Prepare the Meatball Recipe Sauce
In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except the meatballs. (Peach Habanero pepper jelly, Craig’s BBQ Sauce, powdered cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, onion powder, salt, and pepper.) Blend well using a whisk—no electric mixer needed.
The combination of these ingredients makes a sweet and spicy sauce. The Peach Habanero jelly adds a unique flavor that takes the dish to the next level.
Baked Meatballs
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Be sure to prebake the meatballs in the oven on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes until they are nearly cooked. Once baked place them in a large baking pan. Make sure it is large enough for the balls to not sit on each other, but small enough to have them well-coated with sauce.
Pour the prepared sauce over the meatballs to glaze them evenly. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes at 350°F (175°C) or until the internal temp reaches 165°F.
Serve and Enjoy
Serve them with a box of toothpicks and a large spoon. These easy meatballs taste even better the next day, though they rarely last that long! This dish is perfect for parties, or as a delightful dinner served over rice.
Crockpot Option for Homemade Meatballs
For an added touch of convenience and flavor, this recipe works wonderfully in a crockpot. A slow-cooker allows the flavors to meld even more, resulting in an even more delicious dish. Simply combine all the ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the meatballs are heated through and the flavors are well-blended.
Flexibility and Serving Suggestions of Peach Habanero Jelly
While some might opt for grape jam in their sauce, the preference here has always been peach. Texas Pepper Jelly’s Peach Habanero is absolutely perfect for this recipe. Beyond meatballs, it’s a versatile treat, great on hot biscuits or as a dip for breadsticks. The sweet and spicy combination of the Peach Habanero pepper jelly adds a unique twist that makes these meatballs stand out.
Why Choose Peach Habanero?
The choice of Peach Habanero pepper jelly over plain peach jam is what truly sets this recipe apart. It provides a balanced blend of sweetness and heat, creating a flavor profile that is both unique and addictive. This simple substitution elevates the dish, making it a standout at any gathering. The heat from the habanero peppers adds a kick that complements the sweetness of the peaches, creating a tasty blend of flavors.
Easy Meatballs Perfect for Any Occasion
These easy meatballs are perfect for any occasion! Whether it’s a casual family dinner, a festive party, or a game-day gathering. They are easy to make, require minimal ingredients, and are always a hit with guests. The combination of the Peach Habanero pepper jelly and Craig’s BBQ sauce creates a mouthwatering glaze, making them irresistible.
Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Meatballs
To ensure your meatballs turn out perfectly every time, here are a few tips and tricks:
- Use Quality Ingredients: High-quality ingredients greatly enhance the flavor and texture of your dish. So, always opt for the best ingredients you can find!
- Prebake the Meatballs: Prebaking the meatballs helps to retain their shape and ensure they will be fully cooked at the end of the process.
- Blend the Sauce Well: Use a whisk to blend the sauce ingredients thoroughly. This helps create a smooth, well-balanced sauce that coats the meatballs evenly.
- Slow Cooking Option: If you have the time, use a crockpot to slow-cook the meatballs. This allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in an even more delicious dish.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve the meatballs with toothpicks for easy eating at parties, or over rice for a complete meal. They also make a great addition to pasta dishes or as a sandwich filling.
Final Thoughts
Crafting family recipes has a unique charm that brings people together and creates lasting memories. This Sweet & Spicy Meatball recipe is a perfect example of how a simple dish can be changed into something extraordinary.
The addition of Texas Pepper Jelly’s Peach Habanero jelly elevates this classic dish, which can make it a new favorite among family and friends. Whether you’re serving these meatballs at a party or enjoying them as a family dinner, they are sure to be a hit. Give this recipe a try and discover the delightful flavors of Sweet & Spicy Meatballs with a Peach Habanero twist!
Sweet & Spicy Meatballs: A Delicious Peach Habanero Twist
- 1 Jar 12 oz of Texas Pepper Jelly’s Peach Habanero Pepper Jelly Other flavors can be used
- 1 Bottle 21 oz Craig’s BBQ Sauce
- 1 tsp Powdered cloves
- 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp Nutmeg powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- dash Salt
- dash Pepper
- 3 dozen Meatballs (cooked) we used a blend of ground meats
-
Prepare the Meatball Recipe SauceIn a large mixing bowl, combine the Peach Habanero pepper jelly, Craig’s BBQ Sauce, powdered cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Blend well using a whisk—no electric mixer needed. The combination of these ingredients creates a sauce that is both sweet and spicy, with the Peach Habanero jelly adding a unique flavor that elevates the dish.
-
Baked MeatballsPreheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prebake the meatballs in the oven for about 10 minutes on a baking sheet to ensure they are nearly cooked. Place the baked meatballs in a large baking pan—large enough for the balls to not sit on each other, but small enough to have them well-coated with sauce. Pour the prepared sauce over the meatballs to glaze them evenly. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes at 350°F (175°C) or until the internal temp of meatballs reaches 165°F.
-
Serve and EnjoyServe the meatballs with a box of toothpicks and a large spoon. These easy meatballs taste even better the next day, though they rarely last that long! This dish is perfect for parties, or as a delightful dinner served over rice.
