With homemade meatballs simmered in a glaze made with cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, and brown sugar, these Cranberry Meatballs are a delightful blend of savory and sweet. Whether served as an appetizer or entree, they are perfect for holiday gatherings, parties, or cozy family dinners.
One of my go-to dishes during the holiday party season is meatballs. They make the perfect bite-sized appetizer for parties, they’re easy to make, and they can usually be prepped in advance. Plus there are so many flavor options, like BBQ meatballs, chicken meatballs, Dr Pepper Meatballs, and firecracker chicken meatballs, that I can make a new recipe for each party. These cranberry meatballs are one of my new favorites and they’re perfect for the holidays. I mean, what ingredient says Christmas season more than cranberry sauce?
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Meatballs Recipe
I am absolutely in love with this recipe. Here are a few reasons why.
- Incredible flavor. These tender, juicy meatballs are made from a flavorful mixture of seasoned ground meat and then simmered in a tangy cranberry sauce that combines the tartness of cranberries with hints of sweetness and spice. It’s the perfect balance of flavors.
- Versatile. Like grape jelly meatballs, these cranberry meatballs are a great addition to any holiday party appetizer spread. But they also make a great entree, served over mashed potatoes or noodles.
- Made from scratch. Many recipes for cranberry meatballs start with packaged meatballs but this recipe walks you through making the meatballs from scratch. I promise the few minutes of extra effort is worth it! These meatballs are so tender and juicy.
What You’ll Need
The meatballs in this recipe are made from scratch with just a handful of ingredients. The sauce only needs a few ingredients too! You can find the exact measurements in the recipe card below.
- Ground pork – I prefer using ground pork or mild Italian sausage. A mix of ground beef and pork can add extra flavor and tenderness to the meatballs. You can also use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Breadcrumbs
- Egg – Helps bind the meatball mixture together.
- Onion – For extra flavor.
- Parsley
- Ketchup – Adds a sweet flavor to the meatballs.
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds savory, meaty undertones to the meatballs.
- Spices – Garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Sauce
- Cranberry sauce – The base of the sauce for the meatballs. Feel free to use your favorite.
- BBQ sauce – You can use homemade BBQ sauce or your favorite kind from the store. You can also use chili sauce for a spicier version.
- Brown sugar – Sweetens the sauce.
- Lemon juice – A pop of acidity to brighten the sauce and balance the flavors.
How to Make Cranberry Meatballs
Here’s a rundown of how to make these cranberry meatballs. You can find the printable version of the instructions in the recipe card below.
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 400F and line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the meatballs. In a large bowl, combine all of the meatball ingredients with your hands until just combined. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the meatballs evenly and shape them into round balls. Place on the baking sheet.
- Bake. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until the meatballs are lightly browned and reach an internal temperature of 160F.
- Make the sauce. Combine the sauce ingredients in a large saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is smooth and beginning to bubble.
- Simmer. Add the meatballs to the sauce, gently stirring to coat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Enjoy. Garnish with chopped parsley and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
Here are a few helpful tips and tricks for making these cranberry meatballs.
- Don’t overmix. Mix the meatball ingredients gently to avoid compacting the meat. Overmixing can make the meatballs tough.
- Chill before cooking. If the meat mixture is too soft, chill it for 20-30 minutes before forming the meatballs. This makes them easier to shape.
- Sear for extra flavor. Brown the meatballs in a skillet or bake them at a high temperature before simmering in the sauce. This step creates a delicious crust and locks in juices.
- Adjust the flavor of the cranberry sauce. Adjust the sweetness of the cranberry sauce to your preference by adding more or less brown sugar or a splash of honey. If the cranberry sauce is too tart, balance it with a bit of barbecue sauce, ketchup, or even a dollop of Dijon mustard.
- Add more flavor to the sauce. Add warm spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a holiday-inspired twist. A splash of orange juice or zest can brighten the sauce.
- Don’t crowd the pan. If you’re cooking in a skillet, leave space between the meatballs for even browning. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of searing.
Serving Suggestions
These cranberry sauce meatballs are super versatile to serve. They make a great party appetizer but can also be turned into an entree.
If serving them at a party, I like to serve them with toothpicks so guests can easily grab them and go. I keep the meatballs warm in a slow cooker on the “low” or “warm” setting with extra sauce.
For dinner, these meatballs are lovely served over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles for a hearty main dish.
Can I Make These in Advance?
Yes, you can form the meatballs in advance and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before cooking. Just cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap.
Cooked meatballs freeze well too. Bake them as directed then allow them to cool. Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Reheat directly in the sauce when needed.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge. Store leftover cranberry meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheat. Reheat the meatballs on the stovetop. You may want to add extra sauce if you have it. Individual servings can also be reheated in the microwave.
More Meatball Recipes To Try
Cranberry Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pounds ground pork or sausage
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup finely minced onion
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce:
- 2 cups cranberry sauce
- 1 cup BBQ sauce or chili sauce for a spicier version
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Meatballs
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground pork or sausage, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, parsley, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.
- Form the meatballs: Scoop out portions of the mixture and roll into 1-inch meatballs. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs: Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the meatballs are lightly browned and cooked through. Internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C).
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
- Combine the sauce ingredients: In a large skillet or saucepan, mix together the cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce or chili sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is smooth and begins to bubble.
Step 3: Combine Meatballs and Sauce
- Simmer the meatballs: Add the baked meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Gently stir to coat the meatballs evenly.
- Cook together: Reduce the heat to low and simmer the meatballs in the sauce for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
- Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish.
- Serve: Serve the cranberry meatballs as an appetizer with toothpicks or as a main dish over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles
Last Step:
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4 comments on “Cranberry Meatballs”
Love this recipe and look forward to making it for apps in a couple weeks. Wondering if we might use Jellied Cranberry Sauce (a can left-over from Thanksgiving??) Seems your recipe uses the CTranberry Sauce with whole cranberries in it. Thanks!!
Hi Marilyn. Yes, you could substitute canned jellied sauce. You could add fresh or frozen cranberries if you wanted to as well.
Thank You for putting sodium content, much appreciated Meri jenkins
Glad that helps Meri. Thanks!