Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer Recipe

Imagine a savory, aromatic, tender, flavorful, and delicious Christmas appetizer that will impress your guests and leave them wanting more. Look no further! Our Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer Recipe is a game-changer for the holiday season.

This recipe combines the warmth of the holiday season with the sweetness of cranberries and the tanginess of a special sauce, all wrapped up in a tender and juicy meatball. It’s a perfect blend of flavors and textures that will make your Christmas party a memorable one.

Inspired by the expert chefs at Epicurious, our recipe takes the traditional meatball to a whole new level. With a few simple tweaks and the addition of some festive ingredients, we’ve created a dish that’s sure to become a new holiday tradition.

So, what makes our Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer Recipe so special? For starters, we use a combination of ground meats to create a tender and juicy meatball that’s packed with flavor. We also add some chopped fresh herbs and a sprinkle of grated cheese to give it an extra boost of flavor.

But the real magic happens when we add the cranberry sauce. Made with fresh or frozen cranberries, orange zest, and a hint of cinnamon, this sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. It’s the perfect complement to the savory meatballs and adds a festive touch to the dish.

And the best part? This recipe is incredibly easy to make! Simply mix together the ingredients, form into meatballs, and bake until cooked through. Serve with the cranberry sauce and enjoy the ooohs and ahhhs from your guests.

So, what are the key ingredients that make this recipe so special? Here are a few highlights:

• Ground Meats: We use a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal to create a tender and juicy meatball.
• Cranberry Sauce: Made with fresh or frozen cranberries, orange zest, and a hint of cinnamon, this sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
• Fresh Herbs: Chopped fresh herbs like parsley and thyme add a bright and refreshing flavor to the meatballs.
• Grated Cheese: A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty and nutty flavor to the meatballs.

Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer Recipe

This recipe makes approximately 20-25 meatballs, perfect for a holiday party or gathering. You can also easily double or triple the recipe if needed.

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 pound ground beef
• ▢ 1/2 pound ground pork
• ▢ 1/4 pound ground veal
• ▢ 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• ▢ 1/4 cup chopped fresh thyme
• ▢ 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ▢ 1 egg
• ▢ 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• ▢ 1/4 cup cranberry sauce (see below for recipe)
• ▢ Salt and pepper, to taste

Cranberry Sauce Ingredients

• ▢ 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
• ▢ 1/4 cup orange zest
• ▢ 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 2 tablespoons water
• ▢ 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• In a large bowl, combine ground meats, chopped parsley, chopped thyme, grated cheese, egg, and breadcrumbs. Mix well with your hands or a wooden spoon until just combined.
• Use your hands to shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
• Remove the meatballs from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Serve with the cranberry sauce spooned over the top.

Here are a few pro tips to help you make the best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer Recipe ever:

• Don’t overcook the meatballs! They should be cooked through but still tender and juicy. If you overcook them, they’ll be dry and tough.
• Get the balance of sweet and tangy flavors just right. The cranberry sauce should be sweet but not too sweet, and tangy but not too tangy. Taste and adjust as needed.

Here are a few frequently asked questions about our Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer Recipe:

• Can I make the meatballs ahead of time? Yes, you can make the meatballs ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to a day or freeze for up to 2 months. Simply bake or cook them when you’re ready.
• Can I use fresh or frozen cranberries for the sauce? Both fresh and frozen cranberries work well for the sauce. If using frozen, simply thaw first and pat dry with paper towels before using.
• How do I prevent the meatballs from drying out? To prevent the meatballs from drying out, make sure to not overcook them and to serve them with a sauce or gravy. You can also add a little bit of moisture to the meat mixture before baking.

And there you have it – our Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer Recipe that’s sure to impress your guests and become a new holiday tradition. With its perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors and tender and juicy meatballs, this recipe is a must-make for any holiday gathering. So go ahead, give it a try, and let us know what you think!

Happy holidays from our kitchen to yours!