Pepper Jelly–Glazed Holiday Meatballs

A Sweet & Savory Appetizer for Every Holiday Gathering

When the holidays roll around, everyone is looking for that one dish — the one that disappears first, works for every kind of gathering, and doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.

These Pepper Jelly–Glazed Holiday Meatballs check all the boxes.

They’re sweet with just the right amount of heat, incredibly easy to make, and perfect for everything from Christmas parties and potlucks to New Year’s gatherings and game-day spreads. Best of all, they’re mostly hands-off — which means you can focus on enjoying the season instead of babysitting the stove.

This is the kind of recipe you’ll make once… and then keep coming back to every year.

Yield: Serves 10–12; About 40–48 meatballs (Perfect for parties and potlucks)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time:

• Slow Cooker: 3–4 hours (LOW) or 1½–2 hours (HIGH)
• Stovetop: 20–25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 bag frozen homestyle meatballs (about 26–32 oz)
• 1 cup Sweet Home Pepper Jelly
• Choose Your Heat:
  • Use Five Pepper Jelly for balanced sweet heat (recommended)
  • Swap in Muscadine Jelly for a sweeter, Southern-style glaze
  • Try Cowboy Pepper Jelly for a bolder, spicier kick
• ½ cup chili sauce or barbecue sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Optional garnish: chopped parsley or green onions

Tip: You can use homemade meatballs if you prefer, but frozen keeps this recipe stress-free.

Instructions

Slow Cooker Method (Recommended)

1. Place frozen meatballs in the slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, whisk together pepper jelly, chili sauce (or BBQ sauce), and soy sauce.
3. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and gently stir to coat.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 1½–2 hours, stirring once if possible.
5. Garnish before serving and keep warm on the “LOW” setting.

Stovetop Method

1. Add meatballs and sauce ingredients to a large skillet or saucepan.
2. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are heated through and glazed (about 20–25 minutes).
3. Reduce heat to low to keep warm until serving.

Serving Ideas

• Serve straight from the slow cooker with toothpicks
• Add festive picks for holiday flair
• Pair with crackers or rolls for easy sliders
• Set out alongside a cheese board for a balanced appetizer spread

Make-Ahead & Leftover Ideas

Make Ahead:

• Prepare the meatballs a day in advance, refrigerate, and reheat gently in the slow cooker before serving.

Leftovers? Try this:

• Meatball sliders with toasted buns
• Wraps with slaw or greens
• Breakfast hash or brunch biscuits
• Holiday Hosting Tip

If you’re bringing a dish to a gathering and don’t know what everyone else is making — bring these. They travel well, stay warm, and always get asked about.