Description
These sweet and tangy Christmas Meatballs are the ultimate holiday appetizer. Juicy, flavorful meatballs are coated in a cranberry BBQ sauce that’s the perfect balance of savory and sweet. They’re great for parties and easy to make in the slow cooker or on the stovetop!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork (or use all beef)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or smooth)
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Roll into 1-inch meatballs.
- Cook the Meatballs:
- Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium heat with a little oil. Brown the meatballs for 5-7 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Coat the Meatballs: Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce, stirring to coat evenly. Simmer on low for 10 minutes to let the flavors blend.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving dish or keep warm in a slow cooker. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can use frozen meatballs for a quicker version—just heat them in the sauce until warmed through.
- Serve with toothpicks for an easy party appetizer.
- Want it extra festive? Add a splash of orange juice to the sauce for a citrusy twist!