Christmas Cranberry Meatballs – A Sweet, Savory, and Festive Holiday Favorite!

If you’re looking for the perfect holiday appetizer that’s festive, easy, and downright delicious, Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are the answer. These juicy homemade (or shortcut) meatballs simmer in a tangy-sweet cranberry glaze that captures the spirit of the season in every bite.

Whether you serve them at your Christmas party, potluck, or New Year’s Eve gathering, these meatballs are guaranteed to disappear fast. They’re bursting with flavor, covered in a sticky cranberry sauce glaze, and require minimal prep—perfect for busy holiday cooks.

🍴 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Festive and flavorful: Sweet-tart cranberry sauce adds that unmistakable holiday flair.
• Crowd-pleaser: Everyone loves bite-sized appetizers, especially ones on cocktail sticks!
• Perfect make-ahead recipe: Make them ahead and warm them up in the slow cooker.
• Simple ingredients: Nothing fancy—just pantry staples and holiday favorites.
• Great for any event: From Christmas dinner starters to game-day snacks, they fit right in.

🍒 What Makes Christmas Cranberry Meatballs So Special?

These meatballs take the classic cocktail meatball concept and give it a Christmas twist. The sauce combines cranberry sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and a bit of chili sauce for the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and just a hint of spice.

You can make the meatballs from scratch for a homemade touch or use frozen ones if you’re in a hurry. Either way, the sauce transforms them into a festive masterpiece that tastes like it came from a high-end holiday buffet.

🧂 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork (or use all beef if preferred)
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

For the Cranberry Glaze:

• 1 (14 oz) can whole-berry cranberry sauce
• 1 cup ketchup
• ½ cup chili sauce (like Heinz)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional for depth of flavor)

🍳 How to Make Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make the Meatball Mixture
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder. Mix just until combined—don’t overwork the meat or the texture will be tough.

Step 3: Shape the Meatballs
Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. You should get about 35–40 small meatballs.

Step 4: Bake the Meatballs
Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.

Step 5: Make the Cranberry Sauce Glaze
While the meatballs bake, prepare the glaze. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberry sauce, ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and mustard. Stir until smooth and bubbly—about 5 minutes.

Step 6: Combine and Simmer
Add the cooked meatballs into the sauce, coating them evenly. Let them simmer together for 10–15 minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.

Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

Juicy homemade meatballs simmered in a sweet and tangy cranberry glaze—perfect for Christmas parties or festive appetizers.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 35 meatballs

Course: Appetizer, Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Calories: 280

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 14 oz whole-berry cranberry sauce
• 1 cup ketchup
• 0.5 cup chili sauce
• 0.5 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard optional

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Saucepan
• Slow cooker (optional)

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine beef, pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic, and seasonings in a bowl.
3. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until cooked through.
5. In a saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and mustard. Heat until smooth and bubbly.
6. Add meatballs to sauce and simmer for 10–15 minutes until glazed.
7. Alternatively, cook in slow cooker on LOW for 3–4 hours.

Notes

Garnish with parsley and cranberries for presentation. Keep warm in a slow cooker for parties.

🕰️ Slow Cooker Option

If you’re serving these at a party, the slow cooker method is perfect:

1. Place baked (or frozen) meatballs in the slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, and vinegar.
3. Pour over the meatballs and toss to coat.
4. Cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

They’ll stay warm and saucy throughout your party—no extra work required!

🌟 Tips for the Best Cranberry Meatballs

• Use both beef and pork: The combination gives the meatballs a richer flavor and juicier texture.
• Homemade or frozen: If you’re short on time, frozen meatballs work great! Just adjust cooking time.
• Taste the sauce: Depending on your cranberry sauce, you can add more sugar or vinegar to balance sweetness and tang.
• For a spicy twist: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a tablespoon of hot sauce.
• Garnish for presentation: Top with chopped parsley and fresh cranberries before serving for a holiday touch.

🎁 Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

To Make Ahead:
Bake the meatballs and prepare the sauce separately up to 2 days in advance. Combine and heat before serving.

To Store:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To Freeze:
Freeze meatballs (with or without sauce) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in the slow cooker.

🍽️ How to Serve Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

These versatile little bites are perfect for every kind of holiday gathering!

• As Appetizers: Serve them on cocktail picks for easy snacking.
• On a Buffet Table: Keep them warm in a slow cooker with small bowls or toothpicks on the side.
• As a Main Course: Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or buttered egg noodles for a cozy meal.
• In a Sub Roll: Make cranberry meatball sliders for a festive lunch!

🎅 Flavor Variations to Try

Want to experiment with your sauce? Here are a few festive ideas:

• Cranberry BBQ: Replace ketchup and chili sauce with your favorite barbecue sauce.
• Cranberry Orange: Add 2 tablespoons of orange marmalade or zest for a bright citrus note.
• Spicy Cranberry: Stir in a teaspoon of sriracha for heat lovers.
• Maple Cranberry: Add a tablespoon of pure maple syrup for warmth and depth.

❤️ Why This Recipe Works

The secret to perfect Christmas Cranberry Meatballs is the balance of flavors—savory meat, sweet cranberry, and tangy vinegar. The result is a rich, glossy glaze that clings beautifully to each meatball.

It’s festive enough for your holiday spread yet simple enough to make on a weeknight. Plus, everyone loves bite-sized food that looks as good as it tastes.

🍷 Pairing Ideas

These meatballs pair wonderfully with:

• Sparkling cranberry punch or mulled wine
• Creamy mashed potatoes or herbed rice
• Cheese platters or charcuterie boards

Their sweet-tangy flavor complements both savory sides and festive drinks perfectly.

🧾 Nutrition (Per Serving – 4 Meatballs)

• Calories: 280
• Fat: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Protein: 15g
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 450mg

🌟 Final Thoughts

These Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are the perfect combination of easy, festive, and crowd-pleasing. Juicy, flavorful, and coated in a sweet-tangy glaze, they bring instant holiday cheer to any table.

Whether you serve them as an appetizer or a main dish, this recipe is one you’ll want to bring back year after year. So grab that can of cranberry sauce and roll up your sleeves—it’s time to make the season extra delicious!