Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs: Easy Brunch Appetizer!

Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are the perfect holiday appetizer, bursting with festive flavors and ready in a flash! These little bites of heaven are a tradition in our home, bringing a sweet and savory twist to our Christmas gatherings. The aroma alone takes me back to cozy evenings by the fire, surrounded by loved ones. This is definitely a treasured family tradition, so I'm excited to share this recipe with you so that you can make your own memories! I'm going to walk you through my easy-to-follow recipe for Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs, so you can have a delicious snack without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You Will Love This Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

These Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are a guaranteed crowd pleaser! They're super easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and always a hit at parties. They embody the spirit of the holidays: warm, comforting, and joyful. I love that they can be made ahead of time, making party prep a breeze.

My favorite part about this recipe is how versatile it is! You can serve them as an appetizer, as part of a festive brunch, or even as a fun addition to your holiday dinner spread. The sweet cranberry sauce complements the savory meatballs perfectly, creating a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Plus, the vibrant red cranberries make them look so festive.

These Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are a holiday staple because they combine convenience with gourmet flavor. They bring a special warmth to every gathering, making them one of my must have recipes on my menu during the holidays.

Ingredients Needed for This Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

• For the Meatballs:
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup finely diced onion
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• For the Cranberry Sauce:
  • 1 (14-ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 1/2 cup chili sauce
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to Make This Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
3. Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned.
5. While the meatballs are baking, prepare the cranberry sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and cinnamon.
6. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the brown sugar is dissolved and the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
7. Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the saucepan with the cranberry sauce. Stir gently to coat the meatballs evenly.
8. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes, allowing the meatballs to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
9. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cranberries or chopped parsley, if desired.

How to Serve This Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are incredibly versatile! You can serve them as a festive appetizer at your holiday parties, or incorporate them into your holiday Brunch spread. I have also thrown these flavorful meatballs on top of creamy mashed potatoes or polenta for a hearty meal.

For a simple and elegant presentation, arrange the Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs on a platter and garnish with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs. Another festive way to serve them is in a slow cooker, keeping them warm and ready for guests to enjoy throughout your gathering. You can also serve it as a side for other meals!

Alternatively, serve them in individual dishes as a snack, or a more substantial addition to a holiday buffet. Either way, they are sure to be a hit. Pair the meatballs with toothpicks or small forks for easy serving.

How to Store This Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

If you have any leftover Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs, storing them properly will ensure they stay delicious for later enjoyment.

• Refrigeration: Allow the meatballs to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the meatballs. Spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about 2 hours, or until solid. This prevents them from sticking together. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
• Reheating: To reheat refrigerated meatballs, you can use the microwave, oven, or stovetop. For the microwave, heat them in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until heated through. For the oven, place them in a baking dish with a little extra sauce and bake at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. For the stovetop, gently simmer them in a saucepan with a little extra sauce until heated through. Frozen meatballs should be thawed in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.

Tips to Make This Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

• Use Quality Ingredients: Using high-quality ground beef and fresh cranberries will significantly enhance the flavor of your meatballs.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the meatball mixture can result in tough meatballs. Mix gently until just combined.
• Breadcrumb Substitute: If you don’t have breadcrumbs on hand, you can use crushed crackers or even rolled oats as a substitute.
• Spice Adjustment: Adjust the amount of cinnamon and Dijon mustard to your preference. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• Sweetness Level: If the cranberry sauce is too tart, add a tablespoon or two of maple syrup to balance the flavors.

Helpful Notes for This Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

• Meatball Size: Aim for consistent meatball sizes to ensure even cooking. A small cookie scoop can help with this.
• Cranberry Sauce Consistency: The cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools. If it becomes too thick, add a splash of water or apple cider vinegar to thin it out.
• Make Ahead Tip: You can prepare the meatballs and cranberry sauce separately a day ahead of time. Store them in the refrigerator and combine them just before serving.
• Serving Suggestions: These meatballs pair well with mashed potatoes, rice, or even on sliders for a fun and festive appetizer.

Variation of This Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

• Turkey Meatballs: Substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a lighter version.
• Spice It Up: Add a touch of heat with a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the cranberry sauce.
• BBQ Twist: Replace the chili sauce with your favorite barbecue sauce for a smoky flavor.
• Orange Zest: Add the zest of one orange to the cranberry sauce for a bright and citrusy twist.
• Slow Cooker Method: Combine cooked meatballs and sauce in a slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours for easy entertaining.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy making and serving these Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs as much as my family and I do! They’re a little bite of holiday magic that’s sure to bring joy to your gatherings. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below if you have tried the recipe, and let me know how you were able to put your own spin on it. Happy cooking, and happy holidays! It is a wonderful way to embrace the season of food with this delicious Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs recipe.

Join the Tastivate community! For more Christmas menu inspiration, check out the other Christmas recipes at www.tastivate.com.

Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs: Easy Brunch Appetizer!

Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are delicious holiday appetizer, bursting with festive flavors and ready in under 30 minutes.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: Approx. 24 meatballs
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition:

Calories: 150
Protein: 7g
Carbs: 12g
Fat: 8g

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup finely diced onion
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (14-ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1/2 cup chili sauce
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently.
3. Roll into 1-inch meatballs. Place on the baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. While meatballs bake, combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, and cinnamon in a saucepan.
6. Simmer over medium heat, stirring until smooth.
7. Transfer cooked meatballs to the saucepan. Stir to coat.
8. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
9. Serve hot, garnished with cranberries or parsley.

Notes

• For easier cleanup, line the baking sheet with foil.
• Adjust the sweetness of the cranberry sauce to your preference.
• Can be made ahead and reheated.