Name: Christmas Cranberry Meatballs
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20) or 50/50 beef/pork; 1/2 cup (50 g) breadcrumbs or panko; 1 large egg; 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk or chicken stock; 1/4 cup (40 g) finely grated onion (about half a small onion); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley; 1/2 tsp dried thyme (optional); 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing) or cooking spray (if baking/air frying); 12 oz (340 g) fresh or frozen cranberries; 3/4 cup (150 g) brown sugar (adjust to taste); 1/2 cup (120 ml) orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred); 1 tbsp orange zest; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar; 1/2 tsp ground ginger (or 1 tbsp minced fresh); 1/4 tsp cinnamon; 1 tbsp soy sauce or Worcestershire (for savory balance); 1–2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (only if needed to thicken)

Description

Savory meatballs glazed with a sweet-tart cranberry sauce, perfect for holiday parties.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20) or 50/50 beef/pork
1/2 cup (50 g) breadcrumbs or panko
1 large egg
1/4 cup (60 ml) milk or chicken stock
1/4 cup (40 g) finely grated onion (about half a small onion)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp dried thyme (optional)
2 tbsp olive oil (for searing) or cooking spray (if baking/air frying)
12 oz (340 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
3/4 cup (150 g) brown sugar (adjust to taste)
1/2 cup (120 ml) orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
1 tbsp orange zest
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp ground ginger (or 1 tbsp minced fresh)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp soy sauce or Worcestershire (for savory balance)
1–2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (only if needed to thicken)

Instructions

In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk/stock. Let sit 5 minutes until absorbed.
Add ground meat, grated onion, garlic, egg, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, parsley, and thyme. Mix gently.
Form 1-inch meatballs. Wet hands or use a scoop for consistent size.
Choose cooking method: pan-sear, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18–22 minutes, or air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes.
In a saucepan, combine cranberries, brown sugar, orange juice, zest, vinegar, ginger, cinnamon, and soy. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 8–10 minutes until most berries burst.
Add meatballs to the glaze, gently toss to coat, and warm together for 2–3 minutes.
Serve immediately on a platter with toothpicks or keep warm in a slow cooker on low.

Notes

For a shinier glaze, strain the cooked sauce before whisking in cornstarch. Adjust sweetness of the glaze as preferred.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking or Searing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 3 meatballs
Calories: 200
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 500mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 14g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: Christmas, holiday, meatballs, cranberry, appetizer