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Christmas Cranberry Meatballs served as a festive and delicious featured image.

Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

These Christmas Cranberry Meatballs offer a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, making them an ideal appetizer or main course for the holiday season. The combination of ground beef and pork, along with cranberry sauce, spices, and a touch of apple cider vinegar, creates a delicious and festive dish.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20 blend
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs panko preferred
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup chili sauce
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish optional

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • large skillet
  • Spoon
  • fork
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • Lid for skillet

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, thyme, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Gently mix until just combined. Do not overmix, as this can result in tough meatballs.
  2. Shape the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
  3. Brown the Meatballs: In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Prepare the Cranberry Sauce: In the same skillet, combine the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, ginger, and water. Stir well to combine.
  5. Simmer the Meatballs: Bring the cranberry sauce to a simmer. Gently add the browned meatballs to the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  6. Serve: Serve the Christmas Cranberry Meatballs hot, garnished with fresh parsley, if desired. They are excellent as an appetizer or a main course served over rice or mashed potatoes.

Notes

For best results, use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter texture. Don't overmix the meatball mixture to avoid tough meatballs. Browning the meatballs before simmering adds depth of flavor. You can store leftover meatballs in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a skillet or microwave.