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Holiday Cranberry Meatballs


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  • Author: make-recipe
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 46 servings 1x
  • Diet: None

Description

Tender and juicy meatballs coated in a sweet-tangy cranberry glaze, perfect for gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup cranberry sauce
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, salt, black pepper, and onion powder until fully combined.
  3. Shape into small meatballs and arrange on a lined baking sheet.
  4. Bake for 18–20 minutes until cooked through.
  5. In a saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until glossy.
  6. Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and toss until fully coated.
  7. Serve warm.

Notes

For extra tenderness, avoid overmixing the meat. Add a splash of broth if the glaze becomes too thick. These meatballs can be reheated in a slow cooker on low for gatherings.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 260
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 500mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 14g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg