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Plate of Christmas Cranberry Meatballs garnished with parsley

Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

These festive Christmas Cranberry Meatballs combine savory meatballs with a sweet and tangy cranberry glaze, making them a perfect appetizer for holiday gatherings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer, Party Snack
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatballs
  • 1 lb Ground beef
  • 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 tsp Onion powder
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Cranberry Sauce
  • 15 oz can Canned whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 12 oz bottle Chili sauce
  • 1/4 cup Brown sugar
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • saucepan
  • Whisk

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper; mix thoroughly.
  2. Form the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs and place them on a baking sheet. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
Cranberry Sauce & Serving
  1. While meatballs bake, combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
  2. Add the cooked meatballs to the saucepan with the cranberry sauce, stirring to coat completely. Serve warm with toothpicks as an appetizer.

Notes

These meatballs can be made ahead and reheated gently. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. Serve as a festive appetizer at holiday gatherings.