Introduction

Quick Cranberry Meatballs are the perfect festive appetizer for holiday gatherings. Combining savory pork meatballs with a sweet and tangy cranberry sauce, this recipe is both delicious and easy to prepare. They’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any party.

The image shows a white bowl filled with many round meatballs covered in shiny red sauce. One meatball is being held above the others by a bamboo skewer, making the sauce on it look thick and glossy with some small bits on the sauce. The meatballs look juicy and cooked well with a slightly rough texture, and the bowl is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, grated onion, breadcrumbs, eggs, 1/3 cup ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Step 2: Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet or tray.
Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a little oil. Cook the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: In a separate saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, 1 cup ketchup, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce is smooth and warmed through.
Step 5: Add the cooked meatballs to the cranberry sauce, stirring gently to coat them evenly. Simmer together for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Step 6: Serve the cranberry meatballs warm as an appetizer or party snack. They pair perfectly with toothpicks for easy serving.

Tips & Variations

For a lighter option, substitute ground pork with lean ground turkey or chicken.
Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter texture, or regular breadcrumbs for a denser meatball.
Add a pinch of cinnamon or ground cloves to the sauce for extra holiday spice.
Make the sauce a day ahead to deepen the flavors; simply reheat before serving.
If you prefer baking, bake meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes instead of frying.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or microwave until warmed through, stirring occasionally to prevent drying out.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of many round meatballs covered in a shiny red sauce, sitting in a white bowl. In the center, a single meatball is being held up by chopsticks from a woman's hand, with the sauce dripping slightly to show its sticky texture. The meatballs are browned with a slightly rough and crispy outer layer under the glossy sauce, making them look juicy and full of flavor. The background and surface have a white marbled texture that gives a clean and fresh look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs and sauce a day in advance. Keep them refrigerated separately and combine right before serving, reheating together on the stove.

Can I use canned cranberry sauce for this recipe?

Absolutely. Canned cranberry sauce works well and saves time. Just use the same quantity as the recipe calls for, and adjust sweetness if needed.

Quick Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 64 reviews

Quick Cranberry Meatballs are a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining lean ground pork meatballs with a tangy-sweet cranberry sauce, this recipe is both easy to prepare and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With minimal prep time and simple ingredients, these meatballs bring the classic taste of Christmas to your party table in no time.

Author: Lena
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: Approximately 30 meatballs 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Cranberry Sauce

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

Instructions

Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated or finely diced onion, very lean ground pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, 1/3 cup tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands or a spoon until all ingredients are well incorporated, being careful not to overwork the mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
Form Meatballs: Using your hands or a small scooping spoon, shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. This size ensures even cooking and finger-food entertainment at your holiday gathering.
Cook the Meatballs: Preheat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with oil. Add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook them for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides and ensure they are cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C) for pork.
Prepare Cranberry Sauce: While the meatballs cook, in a separate saucepan combine the cranberry sauce, tomato ketchup, brown sugar, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring regularly until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is warmed through and slightly thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
Combine Meatballs with Sauce: Once meatballs are cooked, remove any excess oil from the skillet. Transfer the meatballs to the saucepan with cranberry sauce or pour the sauce over the meatballs in the skillet. Gently stir to coat the meatballs evenly without breaking them apart. Let them simmer together for another 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
Serve: Transfer the cranberry meatballs to a serving dish and garnish with extra chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm as a delightful and colorful holiday appetizer that guests will love.

Notes

You can substitute ground pork with ground turkey or beef for variation.
If you prefer a smoother sauce, blend the cranberry sauce mixture before heating.
For extra moisture, soak breadcrumbs in a little milk before mixing.
These meatballs can be prepared ahead of time and reheated gently to save time on party day.
Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the sauce to taste by modifying the amount of brown sugar and lemon juice.

Keywords: cranberry meatballs, holiday appetizer, Christmas recipe, party food, ground pork meatballs, cranberry sauce meatballs