Description
This Cranberry Meatballs Christmas Recipe is the ultimate festive appetizer or main course that promises to delight your taste buds with its perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. If you’re looking for an easy-to-make, incredibly delicious, and visually stunning dish to grace your holiday table, then look no further! This recipe delivers succulent meatballs coated in a vibrant cranberry sauce that’s both comforting and exciting, making it an instant classic for any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 lean)
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg
- For the Sweet Tangy Cranberry Sauce:
- 1 (14-ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
- ½ cup chili sauce (e.g., Heinz Chili Sauce)
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, dried parsley, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Use your hands to gently mix the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough meatballs.
- Form the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1-inch to 1.5-inch balls. You should get about 30-35 meatballs, depending on their size. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the Meatballs: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through. Alternatively, you can pan-fry them in a skillet with a little olive oil until browned and cooked.
- Prepare the Cranberry Sauce: While the meatballs are baking, combine the whole berry cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper (if using) in a medium saucepan.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Once the meatballs are cooked, carefully transfer them directly into the saucepan with the cranberry sauce. Gently toss the meatballs to ensure they are fully coated in the delicious sauce.
- Serve: Serve the Cranberry Meatballs hot, either directly from the saucepan or transferred to a festive serving dish. They are fantastic as an appetizer with toothpicks or as a main course with your favorite sides.
Notes
These Cranberry Meatballs are incredibly versatile and can be served in various ways: As an Appetizer, Over Rice or Noodles, With Mashed Potatoes, Alongside Roasted Vegetables, With a Fresh Green Salad, or with Dinner Rolls or Crusty Bread. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They can also be frozen for 2-3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in the oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Baking, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 meatballs
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg