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Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Recipe - Easy Holiday Appetizer

Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs


  • Author: Lorena
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings (approx. 16 meatballs) 1x

Description

Tender ground beef meatballs coated in a vibrant, tangy-sweet cranberry sauce, perfect for holiday gatherings or a festive dinner.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (200g) cranberry sauce
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) beef broth
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef
  • 1/2 cup (50g) breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) black pepper
  • 1/4 cup (25g) chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. In a saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, beef broth, ketchup, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low and keep warm.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix gently until just combined.
  3. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, placing them on a baking sheet.
  4. Bake meatballs in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, until cooked through.
  5. Transfer the baked meatballs to the saucepan with the cranberry sauce mixture. Stir gently to coat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  6. Serve warm, garnished with additional parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix: Gently combine meatball ingredients to ensure they remain tender.
  • Adjust sauce thickness: If the cranberry glaze is too thick, add a splash of hot water or beef broth.
  • Garnish: Fresh parsley or a few whole cranberries add a beautiful festive touch.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking, Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 meatballs
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: N/A
  • Sodium: 420mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: N/A
  • Unsaturated Fat: N/A
  • Trans Fat: N/A
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: N/A
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: N/A

Keywords: Christmas meatballs, cranberry meatballs, holiday appetizer, festive meatballs, ground beef recipe, easy party food, sweet and savory meatballs