Beef Meatballs with Apricot Chipotle Sauce
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Tender, easy beef meatballs pan seared and glazed with a wonderful sweet and savory sauce made with apricot jam, chipotle peppers and a few simple pantry items. These Easy Beef Meatballs with Apricot Chipotle Sauce deliver BIG flavor and are the perfect appetizer or main course served with a side.
BEEF MEATBALLS WITH APRICOT CHIPOTLE SAUCE
Another in my Meatball Series, these Easy Beef Meatballs with Apricot Chipotle Sauce are beyond lip smacking good.
I whip these bad boys up often for when friends drop by. Check out the video below to see how quickly this all comes together.
Truth be told I will make a major batch of these easy beef meatballs and freeze them so I can thaw out a dozen or more in a jiffy and the sauce comes together in no time.
These are the perfect little nibble, or if served with a side, like my Instant Pot Creamy Polenta or mashed potatoes and a Tarragon Broccoli Salad, you have a dinner.
Perfect to snack on, the beef meatballs are tender, not hard and dense, and the sauce is killer.
HOW TO MAKE MEATBALLS WITH APRICOT CHIPOTLE SAUCE
Sauce
- Over medium heat in a skillet at the oil and sauté the onion until translucent and slightly golden, about 5 minutes.
- In a bowl mix together the apricot preserves, mustard, ketchup, chipotle peppers, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Pour sauce over sautéed onions and cook for 5 minutes on low. Set aside.
Meatballs
- Add all ingredients together in a bowl (except olive oil) and gently mix together by hand until incorporated completely. Mixture will be slightly loose and wet.
- Use a small 1 1/2 inch scoop or roll into 32 small balls (about the size of a golf ball). Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat add the olive oil and brown the meatballs on all sides (about 5 minutes total). Do in batches to not over crowd the pan and steam them. We want them browned!
- Pour sauce over meatballs, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve warm.
For other meatball recipes try my Swedish Meatballs Recipe with Gravy, Mexican Cheese Stuffed Meatballs, or these Cranberry Turkey Meatballs. Enjoy!
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Easy Beef Meatballs with Apricot Chipotle Sauce
Ingredients
Apricot Chipotle Sauce
- 16 oz apricot preserves
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce chopped
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
Beef Meatballs
- 2 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Sauce
- Over medium heat in a skillet at the oil and sauté the onion until translucent and slightly golden, about 5 minutes.
- In a bowl mix together the apricot preserves, mustard, ketchup, chipotle peppers, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Pour sauce over sautéed onions and cook for 5 minutes on low. Set aside.
Meatballs
- Add all ingredients together in a bowl (except olive oil) and gently mix together by hand until incorporated completely. Mixture will be slightly loose and wet.
- Use a small 1 1/2 inch scoop or roll into 32 small balls (about the size of a golf ball). Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat add the olive oil and brown the meatballs on all sides (about 5 minutes total). Do in batches to not over crowd the pan and steam them. We want them browned!
- Pour sauce over meatballs, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve warm.
Video
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
