Christmas Cranberry Meatballs – Sweet, Tangy & Festive

Holiday gatherings call for appetizers that are both delicious and eye-catching. These Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are the perfect solution – tender, savory meatballs glazed with a sweet and tangy cranberry sauce. They are festive, easy to make, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser at any holiday party.

The combination of ground meat, spices, and cranberry sauce creates a flavor that balances savory, sweet, and a hint of tartness. Whether served as finger food during a holiday cocktail party or as part of a buffet table, these meatballs are as versatile as they are tasty.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 large egg
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Cranberry Glaze:

• 1 cup cranberry sauce (fresh or canned)
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Optional Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Orange zest

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven
   Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make Meatballs
   In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix until well combined.
3. Shape Meatballs
   Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake Meatballs
   Bake for 15–18 minutes until cooked through.
5. Prepare Cranberry Glaze
   In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberry sauce, brown sugar, orange juice, and Dijon mustard. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Coat Meatballs
   Toss baked meatballs in the warm cranberry glaze until evenly coated.
7. Serve
   Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with chopped parsley and orange zest if desired. Serve warm.

Why These Meatballs Shine

• Festive Flavor: Sweet and tangy cranberry glaze makes them holiday-ready.
• Easy & Make-Ahead: Meatballs can be baked in advance and reheated with the glaze.
• Crowd-Friendly: Perfect for cocktail parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.
• Balanced Taste: Sweetness from cranberries complements the savory meat perfectly.

Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

Tender meatballs coated in a sweet and tangy cranberry glaze, perfect for holiday appetizers and festive parties.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 33 minutes mins

Servings: 24 meatballs

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Calories: 120

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef or mix of beef and pork
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup milk
• 1 egg large
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Cranberry Glaze

• 1 cup cranberry sauce fresh or canned
• 0.25 cup brown sugar packed
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Optional Garnish

• fresh parsley chopped
• orange zest

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Saucepan

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
3. Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15–18 minutes until cooked through.
5. In a saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, brown sugar, orange juice, and Dijon mustard. Simmer 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Toss baked meatballs in warm cranberry glaze until evenly coated.
7. Serve warm, garnished with parsley and orange zest.

Notes

Make meatballs ahead and reheat with glaze before serving. Can also serve with toothpicks for easy party snacking.

Variations & Tips

• Meat Blend: Use half ground turkey for a lighter option.
• Glaze Twist: Add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar for extra depth.
• Mini Meatballs: Make smaller meatballs for bite-sized appetizers.
• Slow Cooker Option: Keep glazed meatballs warm in a slow cooker during parties.