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Christmas Cranberry Meatballs: Sweet, Savory, and Festive!

Christmas Cranberry Meatballs on festive holiday table
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Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are juicy, sweet-and-savory bites coated in a festive cranberry glaze—perfect for holiday parties or cozy winter dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 can (14 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 3/4 cup chili sauce
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 1 tbsp orange juice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.

3. Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until fully cooked through.

5. While meatballs bake, combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, orange zest, and orange juice in a saucepan.

6. Simmer sauce over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7. Remove meatballs from oven and toss them in the warm cranberry sauce until evenly coated.

8. Serve hot with toothpicks for appetizers or over rice for a main dish.

Notes

Make ahead tip: Prep the meatballs and sauce separately and store in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Freeze meatballs in sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove or in a slow cooker.

If the sauce is too sweet, add a splash of apple cider vinegar to balance the flavor.

These meatballs pair beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or served solo as appetizers.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://paulakitchen.com/christmas-cranberry-meatballs/