Quick Cranberry Meatballs (Christmas Recipe)

Finding the perfect appetizer for holiday gatherings can feel like a real puzzle, especially when you’re juggling all the other Christmas preparations. Between wrapping presents, decorating the house, and planning the main course, who has time to spend hours in the kitchen working on complicated appetizers?

That’s where these Quick Cranberry Meatballs come to the rescue: they’re festive and tasty, take minimal prep time, and always seem to disappear within minutes at any holiday party. Plus, they combine the classic holiday flavor of cranberry with everyone’s favorite party food – meatballs!

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What Kind of Ground Pork Should I Use?

For these holiday meatballs, you’ll want to look for lean ground pork that’s labeled around 90-95% lean. This helps prevent your meatballs from becoming too greasy while still maintaining enough fat to keep them juicy and flavorful.

If you can’t find pre-packaged ground pork at your desired lean-to-fat ratio, ask your butcher to grind a lean cut like pork loin for you.

Fresh ground pork should be slightly pink in color and have no strong odors – if you’re not cooking it right away, store it in the coldest part of your fridge and use it within 1-2 days of purchase.

Options for Substitutions

This festive meatball recipe is pretty adaptable – here are some handy swaps you can try:

• Ground pork: You can easily swap the ground pork for ground turkey, chicken, or beef. If using turkey or chicken, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the mix to keep the meatballs moist.
• Breadcrumbs: Out of panko? Regular breadcrumbs work fine, or try crushed crackers, quick oats, or gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed. Keep the amount the same.
• Cranberry sauce: While cranberry sauce gives these meatballs their holiday flavor, you could use grape jelly or raspberry jam mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar for tanginess. The texture will be different but still tasty!
• Fresh parsley: If you don’t have fresh parsley, use 1 tablespoon dried parsley, or try fresh cilantro for a different spin.
• Lemon juice: Apple cider vinegar or lime juice work just as well – use the same amount to get that needed acid kick.
• Brown sugar: Regular sugar plus a teaspoon of molasses works great, or honey can be used (start with 2 tablespoons and adjust to taste).

What to Serve With Cranberry Meatballs?

These festive meatballs make a fantastic holiday appetizer, but they can easily become a main dish with the right sides!

For a cozy dinner, serve them over a bed of fluffy white rice or buttery egg noodles to soak up all that tasty cranberry sauce.

If you’re hosting a party, set them up in a slow cooker with some small rolls nearby for easy slider-making, or stick toothpicks in them for grab-and-go appetizers.

When I’m serving these as a main course, I like to add a simple side of roasted green beans or steamed broccoli to balance out the sweet and savory flavors of the meatballs.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These festive cranberry meatballs will stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce actually gets even better as the flavors meld together, making them perfect for making a day ahead for your holiday party!

Freeze: Got leftovers? These meatballs freeze really well! Place them in a freezer-safe container with their sauce and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. I like to freeze them in smaller portions – it’s super handy when you need a quick appetizer or dinner later.

Reheat: To warm them up, just pop them in a saucepan over medium-low heat until they’re heated through, or microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally. If the sauce seems a bit thick after freezing, you can thin it out with a splash of water or chicken broth while reheating.

Make Ahead: Want to prep these ahead for your holiday gathering? You can make the meatballs and sauce up to 2 days before, store them in the fridge, then reheat when your guests arrive. They’re actually fantastic for meal prep since the flavors get even better over time!

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Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	20-25 minutes
Total Time	35-45 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1200-1400
• Protein: 90-100 g
• Fat: 60-70 g
• Carbohydrates: 130-150 g

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 1 small onion (grated or finely diced)
• 1 ½ pounds very lean ground pork
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (like panko)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup tomato ketchup
• 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)

For the Sauce:

• 2 cups cranberry sauce (homemade or packaged)
• 1 cup tomato ketchup
• 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Step 1: Prepare for Baking

Begin by preheating your oven to 350℉ (175℃).

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

This will prevent the meatballs from sticking to the tray and make clean-up easier.

Step 2: Mix and Form Meatballs

In a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients and mix well until fully incorporated.

Wet your hands to prevent sticking, then form the mixture into medium-sized meatballs, aiming for a total of about 32 meatballs.

For uniformity, consider using a small ice cream scoop to shape the meatballs easily.

For a visual guide, refer to the accompanying video.

Step 3: Bake the Meatballs

Transfer the formed meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet.

Place them in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball reads 160℉.

This ensures the meatballs are fully cooked and safe to eat.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce

While the meatballs are baking, start on the sauce.

In a large skillet, combine all the sauce ingredients and stir them together.

Cook over medium heat until the mixture begins to boil.

Reduce the heat, then gently stir the baked meatballs into the sauce.

Cook until the meatballs are heated through, ensuring the flavors meld together.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

If desired, garnish the finished meatballs with freshly chopped parsley for added color and flavor.

Serve the meatballs warm, ensuring everyone enjoys them at their best.