Description
Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are the ultimate sweet-savory appetizer for your holiday party. Juicy meatballs are simmered in a festive cranberry-chili sauce that’s tangy, rich, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 14 oz Jellied cranberry sauce (canned)
- 12 oz Chili sauce (1 bottle, Heinz preferred)
- 1/4 cup Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder (for sauce)
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
- 64 oz Frozen pre-cooked meatballs (beef or turkey, 2 bags for high protein)
- 2 pounds Extra lean ground beef or turkey breast (93/7 or leaner, for homemade option)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (for homemade meatballs)
- 2 Eggs (for homemade meatballs)
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs or oat flour (for homemade meatballs)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder (for homemade meatballs)
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder (for homemade meatballs)
- Salt and pepper (to taste, for homemade meatballs)
- Fresh parsley or rosemary (optional garnish)
Instructions
- In a large skillet or saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir over medium heat until smooth and heated through, about 5 minutes.
- For store-bought meatballs: Add the frozen meatballs (2 bags, about 64 oz total) directly into the sauce without thawing. Stir gently to coat evenly.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until meatballs are heated through, stirring occasionally.
- For homemade high-protein meatballs: Mix ground meat, Greek yogurt, eggs, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a large bowl until well combined.
- Form mixture into 1-inch balls using a small cookie scoop for consistent sizing. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.
- Add baked meatballs to the prepared sauce and simmer for an additional 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Transfer to a serving bowl or slow cooker set to warm. Garnish with chopped parsley or rosemary if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop and Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Christmas, Cranberry, Meatballs, Appetizer