Description
These Spicy Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs are sweet, tangy, and a little bit spicy — the perfect bite-sized party treat. Juicy meatballs swim in a glossy cranberry-chili sauce that will disappear fast. Easy to make and even easier to love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or turkey (or a mix)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup (60 g) breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
- 1/4 cup finely minced onion
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp oil (for frying or searing)
- 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) whole-berry cranberry sauce
- 1/3 cup chili sauce (or ketchup + a splash of hot sauce)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (or honey)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1–2 tsp hot sauce or 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley or sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Mix the meatball base: In a large bowl combine the ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, minced onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Gently mix just until combined — do not overwork the meat.
- Form the meatballs: Roll the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs (about 1 tablespoon each). Place them on a tray or plate as you go.
- Cook the meatballs: Option A: Pan-fry — heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and brown meatballs on all sides (they do not need to be fully cooked through). Option B: Bake — place meatballs on a lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes until browned.
- Make the cranberry sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the whole-berry cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce or red pepper flakes. Warm over medium heat, stirring until smooth and glossy. Taste and adjust sweetness or heat as needed.
- Combine meatballs and sauce: Add the browned/cooked meatballs to the saucepan with the cranberry sauce. Gently simmer for 8–12 minutes so the meatballs finish cooking and soak up the sauce.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with chopped parsley or green onions, and serve with toothpicks for easy grabbing.
Notes
Tips: Keep meatballs uniform in size for even cooking. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it. To make ahead, prepare meatballs and sauce separately and combine right before serving. For a milder version, reduce or omit the hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop / Bake
- Cuisine: Fusion / Party Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 45mg