Description
These savory cranberry meatballs combine sweet and tangy cranberry sauce with perfectly seasoned meatballs, making them a festive favorite for any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (or turkey for a lighter option)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably seasoned)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, minced garlic, onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined, but don’t overwork it!
- Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the cranberry sauce. In a saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar. Heat on medium until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
- Once the meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes.
- Toss the meatballs in the cranberry sauce until well coated, or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
Feel free to customize the ingredients based on your dietary preferences. You can also freeze uncooked meatballs for later use.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 15
Keywords: meatballs, cranberry, holiday, appetizer, easy recipe