Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs
Indulge in the holiday spirit with these Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs, an irresistible savory-sweet appetizer that combines tender beef meatballs coated in a vibrant cranberry sauce. Perfect for festive gatherings, these meatballs deliver a delightful burst of flavor and warmth, making them an essential addition to your holiday spread. Serve them warm to create unforgettable moments filled with laughter and joy around the dinner table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (divided)
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, and half of the fresh cranberries. Mix until just combined.
- Form the mixture into small meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through and browned on top.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by combining remaining cranberries, brown sugar, garlic powder, soy sauce, and thyme in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until cranberries burst and sauce thickens.
- Gently toss baked meatballs in the sauce before serving warm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs (150g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg