Cranberry Meatballs Recipe Easy Holiday Appetizer in 30 Minutes
Tender, juicy meatballs glazed with a tangy-sweet cranberry sauce, perfect for holiday gatherings and ready in just 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.
- Roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until fully cooked and browned. Check for an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- In a small saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Heat over medium heat until smooth and bubbling, stirring occasionally.
- Transfer the cooked meatballs to the saucepan and gently toss to coat them evenly with the cranberry glaze.
- Serve the glazed meatballs on a platter and garnish with chopped parsley or green onions.
Notes
For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour. Double the sauce for extra dipping or drizzling over rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs per serv
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 10
Keywords: cranberry meatballs, holiday appetizer, easy meatballs, festive recipe, quick appetizer