Quick Cranberry Meatballs (Christmas Recipe) Recipe
Quick Cranberry Meatballs are a festive and flavorful Christmas recipe featuring tender pork meatballs baked to perfection and coated in a tangy, sweet cranberry sauce. This easy-to-make dish combines a blend of savory spices, fresh parsley, and Worcestershire sauce in the meatballs with a luscious sauce made from cranberry sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, and ketchup. Perfect as a holiday appetizer or party snack, these meatballs are sure to delight guests with their juicy texture and vibrant taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 32 medium meatballs 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup tomato ketchup
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 small onion (grated or finely diced)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ lbs lean ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Panko for a lighter texture)
For the Sauce:
- 3 tbsp packed brown sugar
- 2 cups cranberry sauce
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 cup tomato ketchup (Heinz recommended)
Instructions
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Mix and Form Meatballs: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine all the meatball ingredients: eggs, tomato ketchup, black pepper, grated onion, chopped parsley, salt, Worcestershire sauce, ground pork, and breadcrumbs. Wet your hands to prevent sticking and shape the mixture into medium-sized meatballs, about 32 in total. Using a small ice cream scoop can help form evenly sized meatballs.
- Bake the Meatballs: Place the formed meatballs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the center reads 160℉, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine the brown sugar, cranberry sauce, lemon juice, and tomato ketchup in a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce the heat, then gently add the baked meatballs into the sauce. Stir carefully and cook until the meatballs are heated through and the flavors blend well.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the finished meatballs for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve warm to enjoy them at their best.
Notes
- Using Panko breadcrumbs helps achieve a lighter texture in the meatballs.
- Ensure the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 160℉ for safe consumption.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the sauce flavor more than bottled lemon juice.
- Wet your hands before shaping meatballs to prevent sticking and ensure even sizes.
- These meatballs can be prepared ahead and reheated gently in the sauce before serving.
Keywords: cranberry meatballs, holiday appetizer, Christmas recipe, baked meatballs, cranberry sauce meatballs, party food
