Description
These Christmas Cranberry Meatballs combine savory ground beef or turkey with a tangy, sweet cranberry sauce, making a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. The meatballs are baked to juicy perfection and coated in a vibrant sauce blending cranberry, soy, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking the meatballs evenly.
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef or turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into approximately 1-inch diameter meatballs. Place them evenly spaced on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased to prevent sticking.
- Make the cranberry sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together cranberry sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar until smooth, creating a sweet and tangy glaze.
- Coat the meatballs: Pour the cranberry sauce mixture evenly over the meatballs on the baking sheet, ensuring each meatball is well coated with the glaze.
- Bake the meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve warm: Remove from the oven and serve the meatballs warm as a festive holiday appetizer.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for beef for a leaner option.
- For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the baking sheet to ensure even cooking.
- Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Check doneness by using a meat thermometer to ensure safety.
- These meatballs can be reheated in the oven or microwave before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas, Cranberry Meatballs, Holiday Appetizer, Ground Beef, Ground Turkey, Savory, Sweet, Festive Recipes
