Description
These Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are a festive and flavorful appetizer or main dish, combining tender ground beef or turkey meatballs with a tangy cranberry-barbecue sauce. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they offer a savory and sweet balance that delights the palate.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Sauce
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped onion, parsley, egg, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, thyme, and oregano. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small meatballs, approximately 1 inch in diameter. Place them evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and nicely browned on the outside.
- Prepare Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine the cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, and soy sauce in a medium saucepan. Stir well and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Coat Meatballs in Sauce: Once the meatballs finish baking, transfer them carefully to the saucepan. Gently stir to coat each meatball evenly with the sauce.
- Simmer Together: Allow the meatballs to simmer in the sauce for 5-10 minutes to meld the flavors and heat through.
- Serve: Serve the Christmas Cranberry Meatballs warm, ideal as a festive appetizer or a hearty main dish, with toothpicks if desired.
Notes
- Ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef for a leaner option.
- Ensure meatballs are spaced well on the baking sheet to cook evenly.
- Use homemade cranberry sauce for a more natural flavor, or store-bought for convenience.
- Simmering meatballs in the sauce enhances flavor absorption and juiciness.
- This recipe can be doubled to accommodate larger holiday parties.
