Jolly Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Recipe for Holiday Magic

Holiday gatherings light up with these delectable Christmas cranberry meatballs that spark conversation and warm memories.

Savory bites packed with festive flavor dance across your plate, promising pure culinary delight.

Juicy ground beef mingles with tangy cranberry sauce, creating an unexpected twist on traditional appetizers.

Seasonal spices weave magic through each perfectly seasoned morsel, inviting everyone to indulge.

Guests will marvel at how simple ingredients combine into such a spectacular dish.

Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, these meatballs guarantee smiles around the table.

You cannot wait to serve these crowd-pleasing bites that celebrate winter’s most delicious moments.

FAQs

• Are these meatballs spicy?

The meatballs have a mild heat from red pepper flakes, but you can adjust the amount or omit them entirely for a milder flavor.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef and pork?

Yes, you can substitute ground turkey for a leaner option, but the texture and flavor might be slightly different from the original recipe.

• How do I know the meatballs are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), which ensures the meatballs are safely cooked through.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The sweet and tangy cranberry sauce makes these meatballs appealing to children, and you can easily control the spice level to suit their taste.

Cranberry Meatballs That Turn Christmas Into a Feast

• Quick to Prepare: Whip up these meatballs in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy holiday cooking with minimal prep and simple ingredients.
• Holiday Crowd-Pleaser: Create a festive appetizer that combines sweet and savory flavors, guaranteed to impress guests at Christmas parties and gatherings.
• Versatile Serving Option: Enjoy as a delightful appetizer, main course, or party snack that pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, or as a standalone bite-sized treat.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare meatballs in advance and reheat with sauce, making meal planning and entertaining stress-free during the holiday season.

Holiday Flavors Packed Into Cranberry Meatballs

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: Rich and juicy protein base for tender meatballs, choose meat with moderate fat content for best flavor and texture.

• Breadcrumbs, Egg, Milk: Help hold meatballs together and create soft, moist texture, use plain breadcrumbs for neutral flavor.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Pepper: Add depth and enhance overall savory flavor profile, use fresh ground pepper for best taste.

• Cranberry Sauce, Ketchup, Brown Sugar, Soy Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, Dijon Mustard, Apple Cider Vinegar, Red Pepper Flakes: Create sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce that coats meatballs, use whole berry cranberry sauce for better texture.

• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds color and light herbal note to final dish, optional but recommended for visual appeal.

Cranberry Meatballs Christmas Flavor Guide

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Heat your oven to a toasty 400°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or give it a light greasing to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Magical Meatball Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Milk

Gently blend these ingredients until they just come together.

Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender and juicy.

Step 3: Shape Perfect Meatball Spheres

Roll the meat mixture into bite-sized balls, each about 1 inch in diameter.

Arrange them carefully on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each meatball.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, watching for a beautiful golden-brown exterior and ensuring they’re cooked completely through.

Step 5: Craft Tangy Cranberry Sauce

• Cranberry sauce
• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Soy sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dijon mustard
• Apple cider vinegar
• Red pepper flakes

Heat the mixture over medium temperature, stirring occasionally.

Let the sauce simmer and thicken for 5-7 minutes until it reaches a smooth, glossy consistency.

Step 6: Coat Meatballs in Saucy Goodness

Gently transfer the baked meatballs into the warm cranberry sauce.

Carefully toss until each meatball is completely covered in the vibrant, tangy glaze.

Step 7: Serve and Celebrate

Plate the meatballs immediately.

For an extra touch of elegance, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top.

These festive bites are ready to steal the show at any holiday gathering!

Holiday Tips for Cranberry Meatballs

• Gently mix meatball ingredients to keep the texture light and tender, avoiding tough, dense meatballs.
• Add a splash of red wine or beef broth to the meat mixture for an extra layer of richness and complexity.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs reach 160°F (71°C) internally for safe and perfectly cooked protein.
• Simmer cranberry sauce slowly to develop deeper flavors and achieve the ideal thick, clingy texture for coating meatballs.
• Prepare meatballs and sauce separately a day ahead, storing them in the refrigerator to let flavors meld and simplify holiday cooking.

Cranberry Meatballs Storage

• Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping the sauce and meatballs together to preserve moisture and flavor.
• Pack cooled meatballs in freezer-safe containers or bags, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 2 months for maximum quality.
• Place meatballs in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until heated thoroughly, preventing dryness.
• Reheat individual portions on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and maintain sauce consistency.

Best Bites for Cranberry Meatballs

• Pair with Festive Red Wine Sangria: Craft a spiced sangria with red wine, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and a splash of brandy to complement the sweet-tangy cranberry sauce.
• Match with Creamy Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes: Whip smooth mashed potatoes with tangy goat cheese, creating a rich side that balances the bold meatball flavors and cuts through the cranberry sauce's sweetness.
• Serve Alongside Crisp Winter Salad: Toss mixed greens with toasted pecans, pomegranate seeds, and a light citrus vinaigrette to provide a fresh, bright contrast to the hearty meatballs.
• Enhance with Buttery Garlic Roasted Asparagus: Roast asparagus spears with garlic, olive oil, and sea salt for a simple green vegetable side that adds elegant texture and earthy undertones to the dish.

Cranberry Meatballs Holiday Twists

• Gluten-Free Meatball Modification: Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free oats or almond flour to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same delicious texture and flavor.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute ground meats with plant-based alternatives like Beyond Meat crumbles or lentil-mushroom mixture, keeping the cranberry sauce for rich, tangy coating.
• Low-Carb Holiday Option: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork, and replace breadcrumbs with finely chopped cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate content while preserving festive taste.
• Spicy Cranberry Kick: Add extra red pepper flakes or incorporate diced jalapeños into the meatball mixture for those who enjoy a more intense, fiery flavor profile during holiday gatherings.

Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas cranberry meatballs bring holiday cheer to dinner tables with their perfect blend of savory and sweet. Holiday guests will savor each tender, tangy bite of this irresistible seasonal classic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 0.5 pound (227 grams) ground pork

Binding and Moisture Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons milk

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied)
• 0.5 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

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Instructions

1. Craft a festive culinary canvas by heating the oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C) and preparing a parchment-lined baking sheet.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, artfully blend ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic and onion powders, seasoning with salt and pepper, then introduce milk to create a harmonious meat mixture.
3. Gently sculpt the protein medley into uniform spherical morsels, arranging them with precision on the prepared baking surface.
4. Roast the meatballs in the preheated oven, transforming them into golden-brown delicacies until thoroughly cooked, approximately 15-20 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, orchestrate a vibrant cranberry sauce by combining cranberry sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and a whisper of red pepper flakes in a simmering saucepan.
6. Allow the sauce to evolve, stirring periodically, until it reaches a luxurious, slightly thickened consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
7. Lovingly enrobe the freshly baked meatballs in the warm, glossy cranberry glaze, ensuring each morsel is generously dressed.
8. Present the glistening meatballs immediately, optionally adorning with a sprinkle of verdant chopped parsley for a festive flourish.

Notes

• Meat Selection Matters: Choose a blend of ground beef and pork with 80/20 fat content for juicier, more flavorful meatballs that won’t dry out during baking.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Avoid overworking the meat mixture by using a light hand when combining ingredients, which helps prevent tough, dense meatballs.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare meatballs and sauce a day in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator to enhance flavor development and simplify party prep.
• Dietary Adaptations: Swap ground meats with plant-based alternatives and use gluten-free breadcrumbs to create delicious vegetarian or gluten-sensitive versions of these festive meatballs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 295
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 610 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg