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beef cocktail meatballs party

Easy beef cocktail meatballs party

beef cocktail meatballs party easyparty meatballs that wow guests with savory taste and quick prep. Try serving them as a sharing appetizer. Try!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 24 meatballs (8 servings)
Course: Party Food Recipes
Cuisine: American
Calories: 185

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Method
 

  1. Pour the milk over the breadcrumbs in a small bowl and let them sit for 2 minutes. This creates a paste that binds everything together without making the meatballs dense. Skip this step and you'll end up with crumbly meatballs that fall apart.
  2. Combine the ground beef, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix gently with your hands for about 1 minute—don't overmix or the meatballs get tough. I used to blend everything aggressively and wondered why mine weren't fluffy.
  3. Roll the mixture into 24 meatballs roughly the size of walnuts. Aim for consistent sizing so they cook evenly. I use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to keep them uniform, which honestly saves so much time.
  4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Working in batches, place meatballs in the pan and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until they're golden brown on the outside. Don't crowd the pan—they need space to develop that golden edge.
  5. Once all meatballs are seared and cooked through (internal temp hits 160°F), transfer them to a serving platter. Sprinkle the fresh parsley over the top immediately while they're still warm. The heat brings out that fresh herb flavor.