Onion Cocktail Meatballs with Apple Butter Glaze
Makes: 26 meatballs
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 pound 85% lean ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Sauce
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons yellow onion, minced
- 2 cups apple butter
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon dried mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Minced red onion for garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the chopped onion, ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, egg, soy sauce, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix well with clean or gloved hands until blended. Divide the meatball blend and roll into 26 meatballs, each about the size of a golf ball. Place meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until browned and no longer pink in the center.
While the meatballs are baking, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced onion and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the apple butter, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, dried mustard, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 to10 minutes, stirring often, until smooth and slightly thickened.
Transfer the baked meatballs to a casserole dish. Dab with paper towels if excess grease is present. Pour the sauce over the meatballs, coating them evenly. Return to the oven and bake for 3 to 4 minutes, until the sauce just begins to bubble.
Garnish with additional minced red onion. Serve warm. Alternatively, place the meatballs and sauce in a slow cooker on low until the sauce thickens. Keep on the warm setting for serving.
