Irresistible Cranberry Meatballs Recipe for Holiday Magic

Let these zesty cranberry meatballs surprise your taste buds with an unexpected flavor adventure.

Juicy ground beef mingles with tart berries, creating a delightful fusion of savory and sweet.

Soft, tender morsels packed with robust seasonings promise a memorable meal that breaks away from traditional appetizer patterns.

Spices dance through each bite, weaving complex layers of excitement into every single meatball.

The vibrant crimson sauce adds a playful punch that makes these little bites impossible to resist.

Mediterranean and American culinary influences blend seamlessly in this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Scooping up these succulent meatballs might just become your new favorite entertaining trick.

Cranberry Meatballs with a Sweet and Tangy Twist

• Transform basic meatballs into a gourmet dish with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Serve as appetizers during game day or holiday parties, or enjoy as a satisfying main course over rice.
• Combine store-bought or homemade meatballs with a tangy cranberry sauce for a delicious meal ready in under 30 minutes.
• Adapt the recipe by using different ground meats or adjusting sauce ingredients to suit personal preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Cranberry Meatballs

• Ground Meat: Hearty base for meatballs with rich flavor, best to use a mix of beef and pork for juiciness.

• Breadcrumbs, Egg: Help hold meatballs together and create a tender texture, use fresh breadcrumbs for better results.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Pepper: Classic spice blend that enhances meat's natural taste and adds depth of flavor.

• Cranberry Sauce, Barbecue Sauce, Dijon Mustard, Worcestershire Sauce: Create a tangy, sweet, and complex sauce that complements the meatballs, choose a good quality store-bought cranberry sauce for convenience.

How to Prepare and Cook Cranberry Meatballs

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to 375F (190C). Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Mix Meatball Magic

• Ground meat
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Pepper

Blend everything together until ingredients are perfectly combined.

Step 3: Shape And Bake Meatballs

Roll mixture into small round balls about one inch wide. Arrange them neatly on the prepared baking sheet. Slide into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked.

Step 4: Whip Up Cranberry Sauce

• Cranberry sauce
• Barbecue sauce
• Dijon mustard
• Worcestershire sauce

Heat over medium, stirring occasionally until sauce becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 5: Marry Meatballs With Sauce

Drop cooked meatballs into the simmering sauce. Gently stir to coat each meatball completely.

Step 6: Let Flavors Mingle

Reduce heat to low. Allow meatballs to simmer in sauce for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to help flavors blend.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Transfer meatballs to a serving dish. Serve with toothpicks as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or over rice for a hearty main course.

Tips for Juicy Meatballs and Balanced Sauce

• Select Quality Meat: Choose lean ground beef, turkey, or a mix for tender, flavorful meatballs that won't become greasy or tough during cooking.
• Prevent Dry Meatballs: Avoid overmixing the meat mixture and don't overbake; use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 160F for perfect moisture.
• Enhance Sauce Depth: Swap regular barbecue sauce for a smoky or spicy version to add complexity and create a more interesting flavor profile in the cranberry sauce.
• Make Ahead Friendly: Prepare meatballs and sauce separately up to 2 days in advance, then reheat gently to maintain texture and prevent meat from becoming rubbery.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute ground meat with plant-based alternatives and use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe suitable for vegetarian or gluten-sensitive guests.

Store and Reheat Cranberry Meatballs the Right Way

• Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Pack cooled meatballs in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Freeze for maximum 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Spread meatballs on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Place meatballs in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until temperature reaches 165F for food safety.

What Complements Cranberry Meatballs at the Table

• Select a bold Zinfandel or Syrah that complements the rich, tangy meatball flavors and cuts through the sweet-savory sauce.
• Serve crispy roasted Brussels sprouts or garlic-parmesan potato wedges to add textural balance against the tender meatballs.
• Whip up a quick herbed Greek yogurt or sour cream dip with fresh chives and a touch of lemon zest to provide a cool, creamy counterpoint to the warm, spicy meatballs.
• Pour a craft hard apple cider or sparkling pomegranate mocktail to echo the cranberry's fruity notes and refresh the palate between bites.

Fun Additions to Switch Up Cranberry Meatballs

• Gluten-Free Meatballs: Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free oats for those with wheat sensitivities. Use gluten-free barbecue sauce and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Swap ground meat with plant-based crumbles or lentil-mushroom mixture. Create meatballs using black beans, quinoa, and finely chopped vegetables for protein-rich option.
• Low-Carb Version: Skip traditional breadcrumbs and use crushed pork rinds or ground flaxseed as binding agent. Substitute cranberry sauce with sugar-free cranberry sauce or fresh cranberries reduced with stevia.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Spin: Add crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh herbs like oregano and parsley to meatball mixture. Replace barbecue sauce with olive oil and tomato-based sauce for Mediterranean flavor profile.

Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Holiday magic comes alive with these zesty cranberry meatballs, blending sweet-tart sauce and hearty ground beef. Festive gatherings welcome this crowd-pleasing appetizer that promises delicious memories with each savory bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef or turkey

Binding and Seasoning:

• ½ cup (50 grams) breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 can (14 ounces/400 grams) jellied cranberry sauce
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) barbecue sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

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Instructions

1. Craft homemade meatballs by blending ground meat with breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel until thoroughly integrated.
2. Gently form the meat mixture into uniform spherical portions approximately one inch in diameter.
3. Arrange the meatball spheres onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring adequate spacing between each piece.
4. Roast the meatballs in a preheated oven at 375F (190C) for 15-20 minutes until they achieve complete internal cooking and develop a golden exterior.
5. While meatballs are baking, prepare the tangy sauce by combining cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a large skillet.
6. Heat the sauce mixture over medium temperature, stirring periodically until the cranberry sauce completely dissolves and creates a smooth, glossy consistency.
7. Once meatballs are fully cooked, transfer them directly into the prepared sauce, gently coating each piece to ensure comprehensive flavor absorption.
8. Reduce heat to low and allow meatballs to simmer within the sauce for 10-15 minutes, enabling them to marinate and develop enhanced taste profiles.
9. Present the glazed meatballs in a serving dish, offering toothpicks for easy appetizer consumption or serve atop steamed rice as a satisfying main course.

Notes

• Keep meat mixture cold to help meatballs hold shape better during baking, preventing crumbling or falling apart.
• Avoid overmixing ground meat when combining ingredients, which can make meatballs tough and dense instead of tender.
• Use a small cookie scoop or damp hands to create uniform-sized meatballs for consistent cooking and professional appearance.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that still delivers robust flavor and texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg