Sweet Savory Cranberry Meatballs (Printable)

Juicy meatballs with tangy cranberry sauce—a festive favorite for gatherings. Enjoy as appetizer or main dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Meatballs

01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1/2 pound ground pork
03 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
04 - 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1/4 cup milk
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (optional)
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ For the Cranberry Sauce

12 - 1 can (14 ounces) jellied cranberry sauce
13 - 1/2 cup chili sauce
14 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
15 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
16 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
17 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, egg, milk, salt, black pepper, allspice (if using), and chopped parsley. Mix until ingredients are just combined, avoiding overmixing.
03 - Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs and arrange evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
05 - In a large saucepan set over medium heat, combine jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir and cook until sauce is smooth and bubbling, about 5 minutes.
06 - Transfer baked meatballs into the saucepan, gently stir to coat, and simmer on low for 7 to 10 minutes to blend flavors.
07 - Serve warm as an appetizer with toothpicks or over rice for a main dish.

# Recipe Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Uses easy-to-find ingredients from your pantry and fridge
  • Works both as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a cozy main course
  • Ready in under an hour with minimal prep
  • The sweet tart sauce turns simple meatballs into something special
02 -
  • Perfect for making ahead the flavors develop even more overnight
  • High in protein and satisfying for a crowd
  • Pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or a fluffy rice pilaf
03 -
  • Always mix your meatball mixture gently and quickly for the softest texture
  • Use damp hands to roll meatballs to prevent sticking
  • If the sauce gets too thick just add a splash of water until it loosens back up
  • Do not skip the simmering step at the end it really deepens the flavor
  • Trust me once you see that glossy cranberry glaze you will want to make these for every special occasion

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