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Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

These festive cranberry meatballs combine tender ground beef and savory pork with a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy glaze, making them the perfect appetizer for holiday gatherings.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 appetizer servings
Course: Appetizer, Holiday, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

I. For the Meatballs
  • 1 pound lean ground beef 85/15 recommended
  • 1/2 pound ground pork or Italian sausage mild
  • 1/2 cup finely minced yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs or regular dry breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk whole or 2%
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
II. For the Cranberry Glaze
  • 1 14-ounce can whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 cup bottled chili sauce such as Heinz or Sriracha chili sauce
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Pinch red pepper flakes optional, for heat

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Large Baking Sheet
  • Medium saucepan
  • Parchment Paper

Method
 

I. Preparing and Baking the Meatballs
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the egg, milk, minced onion, minced garlic, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and thyme. Whisk these ingredients together until just combined.
  3. Pour the breadcrumbs into the mixture and let them soak for about two minutes.
  4. Add the ground beef and ground pork/sausage to the bowl. Using your hands or a rubber spatula, gently mix the ingredients until they are just combined. Caution: Do not overmix, as this will result in tough meatballs.
  5. Roll the mixture into small, uniform balls, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter (about the size of a walnut). Place the shaped meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring there is a small space between each one.
  6. Bake the meatballs for 18 to 22 minutes, or until they are fully cooked through and have reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove them from the oven and set aside.
II. Making the Cranberry Glaze
  1. While the meatballs are baking, prepare the glaze. In a medium saucepan, combine the whole berry cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, orange zest, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using).
  2. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently to dissolve the brown sugar.
  3. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to thicken slightly for 5 to 8 minutes. The sauce should be coating the back of a spoon.
III. Finishing and Serving
  1. Carefully add the cooked meatballs directly into the saucepan containing the cranberry glaze. Stir gently to coat all the meatballs evenly.
  2. Continue to simmer the meatballs in the sauce over low heat for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, allowing them to absorb the festive flavors.
  3. Transfer the Cranberry Meatballs to a serving dish. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or orange zest, and serve immediately with toothpicks.

Notes

Slow Cooker Variation: After simmering the sauce (Step II.9), combine the sauce and baked meatballs in a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours or on HIGH for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated. Keep warm on the ‘Keep Warm’ setting for serving at a party.