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Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

Juicy homemade meatballs simmered in a sweet and tangy cranberry glaze—perfect for Christmas parties or festive appetizers.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
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.