Cranberry Meatballs

Sweet, tangy, and irresistibly savory, these cranberry meatballs are the perfect blend of holiday-inspired flavors and classic comfort food. Made with a tender mixture of ground beef and pork, these bite-sized delights are seasoned with garlic and onion powders, then baked to perfection after a quick sear. The star of the dish is the sticky, mouthwatering cranberry-chili glaze, a mix of jellied cranberry sauce, zesty chili sauce, brown sugar, and a splash of lemon juice for balance. Whether served as a crowd-pleasing appetizer at your next gathering or piled over a bed of fluffy rice for a cozy main course, these cranberry meatballs are a flavorful twist on a timeless classic. Easily prepped in just 15 minutes, they’re a versatile dish that will wow at any occasion. Keywords: cranberry meatballs recipe, holiday appetizers, tangy meatballs, cranberry-chili glaze, easy meatball recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 1 large Egg
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 14 ounces Cranberry sauce (jellied)
• 12 ounces Chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it lightly.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly with clean hands or a spatula until well combined.

Step 3

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat until all the meat mixture is used up. You should have approximately 24-28 meatballs.

Step 4

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in batches and cook until browned on the outside, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the browned meatballs to the prepared baking sheet.

Step 5

Place the meatballs in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until fully cooked through (internal temperature reaches 160°F/71°C).

Step 6

While the meatballs are baking, prepare the cranberry sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Stir until the cranberry sauce melts and the mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes. Lower the heat to a simmer.

Step 7

Once the meatballs are done, add them to the saucepan with the cranberry sauce. Toss gently to coat the meatballs evenly with the sauce.

Step 8

Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 9

Serve the cranberry meatballs warm as an appetizer or over rice for a main dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1599.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3153.3

Total Fat 166.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 56.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 744.8mg	0%
Sodium 8322.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 279.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.9g	0%
Total Sugars 218.4g
Protein 150.0g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 200.6mg	0%
Iron 14.1mg	0%
Potassium 1324.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.6%

Protein: 18.7%

Carbs: 34.7%