Quick Cranberry Meatballs
If you’re seeking a delightful appetizer that’s both festive and effortless, look no further than Quick Cranberry Meatballs. This easy Christmas recipe combines savory meatballs with a sweet and tangy cranberry sauce, making it a hit at any holiday gathering. With just 15 minutes of prep, these meatballs can be made ahead of time, allowing you to enjoy more moments with family and friends. Whether served as a scrumptious snack or part of your main meal, they’re sure to impress!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 meatballs (10 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 small onion (grated or finely diced)
- 1 ½ pounds very lean ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (like panko)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup tomato ketchup
- 1/4 cup vinegar (as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce)
- 2 cups cranberry sauce (homemade or packaged)
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, mix the grated onion, ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, ketchup, vinegar, salt, and pepper until just combined.
- Form the mixture into small meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by combining cranberry sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat until well blended.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, toss them in the warm sauce and serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 meatballs (85g)
- Calories: 169
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 275mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 54mg