Whether you enjoy them sandwiched on a crusty roll, dipped in marinara or coated in a sticky glaze, meatballs are an iconic easy weeknight meal and crowd-pleasing party appetizer. These orange marmalade meatballs are no exception—they’re coated in a sweet, slightly spicy sauce made with orange marmalade, orange juice, green onions and chopped jalapeno.

With just five simple ingredients, this recipe comes together fast—just cook a bag of frozen meatballs, simmer the sauce and toss everything together. It’s easy to adapt this recipe for the slow cooker if you’re feeding a crowd for game day or taking the meatballs to a potluck. Serve these meatballs with toothpicks for a poppable party bite, or spoon them over rice or noodles for a quick flavor-packed dinner.

Ingredients for Orange Marmalade Meatballs

• Frozen meatballs: Precooked frozen meatballs are a convenient timesaver and are easy to prepare, whether you prefer to pan-sear, bake or air-fry them. If you’d rather make your own, use your favorite meatball recipe. Beef, turkey, pork or chicken are all delicious tossed in the sweet and spicy orange sauce.
• Orange marmalade: Marmalade contains orange juice and zest, creating a distinctly sweet and sour flavor. Use your favorite store-bought variety or make orange marmalade with fresh oranges, lemon juice and sugar.
• Orange juice: A few splashes of juice thin the sauce to the right consistency and enhance the bright citrus flavor. For the best taste, use freshly squeezed juice.
• Green onions: Slice both the green and white parts of the green onion for a balance of mild and sharp flavors.
• Jalapeno: A diced jalapeno adds subtle heat and helps balance the sweetness of the marmalade. Leave it out if you prefer a milder sauce, or if you can’t get enough spice, add a second jalapeno for an extra kick. Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers, as the oils can burn skin. And be sure to avoid touching your face.

Taste of Home