Celebrate the holiday season with a savory, aromatic, tender, flavorful, and delicious appetizer that’s sure to impress your guests: the Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer Recipe. This mouth-watering dish combines the sweetness of cranberries with the richness of meatballs, making it a perfect fit for any holiday gathering.
Looking for a recipe that’s both easy to make and impressive to serve? Look no further than this Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer Recipe, which yields a delicious and visually appealing appetizer that’s sure to be a hit at your next holiday party.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe stands out from the rest due to its unique combination of ingredients and cooking techniques. The use of fresh cranberries adds a burst of flavor and texture to the meatballs, while the addition of breadcrumbs helps to keep them moist and tender. The cranberry sauce, made with fresh or frozen cranberries, orange zest, and a hint of cinnamon, adds a sweet and tangy element to the dish.
Key Ingredient Highlights
Some of the key ingredients in this recipe include:
- Fresh cranberries, which add a sweet and tangy flavor to the meatballs
- Ground meat, such as beef or pork, which provides a rich and savory flavor
- Breadcrumbs, which help to keep the meatballs moist and tender
- Orange zest, which adds a burst of citrus flavor to the cranberry sauce
- Cinnamon, which adds a warm and comforting flavor to the dish
THE RECIPE CARD
Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer Recipe
This recipe makes approximately 20-25 meatballs, perfect for a small to medium-sized holiday gathering. You can easily double or triple the recipe if needed.
Ingredients
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â–¢ 1 pound ground meat (beef or pork)
â–¢ 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
â–¢ 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
â–¢ 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
â–¢ 1 egg
â–¢ 1/4 cup milk
â–¢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
â–¢ 1 teaspoon dried thyme
â–¢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
â–¢ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
â–¢ 1 cup cranberry sauce (see below for recipe)
Cranberry Sauce Ingredients:
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â–¢ 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
â–¢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar
â–¢ 1/4 cup orange juice
â–¢ 1/4 cup water
â–¢ 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
â–¢ 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, cranberries, breadcrumbs, cheese, egg, milk, olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 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 the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the cranberry sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, orange zest, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have popped and the sauce has thickened.
- Once the meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with the cranberry sauce spooned over the top.
Pro Tips
Having trouble with meatballs falling apart? Try adding a little more breadcrumbs to the mixture to help bind the ingredients together. You can also try chilling the meatballs in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape.
Find the cranberry sauce too sweet? Try reducing the amount of sugar in the recipe or adding a splash of citrus juice, such as lemon or lime, to balance out the flavors.
Having difficulty making uniform meatballs? Try using a cookie scoop or small ice cream scoop to portion out the mixture and shape the meatballs. This will help ensure that they are all roughly the same size and shape.
FAQs
Q: Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make the meatballs ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or freeze them for up to 2 months. Simply bake or cook them as directed when you’re ready to serve.
Q: Can I use fresh or frozen cranberries for the sauce?
A: Both fresh and frozen cranberries work well for the sauce. If using frozen, simply thaw them first and pat dry with a paper towel before using.
Q: How do I store leftover cranberry sauce?
A: Leftover cranberry sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 3 months. Simply thaw and reheat as needed.
Conclusion
This Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer Recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for the holiday season. With its unique combination of flavors and textures, it’s sure to be a hit at your next holiday gathering. So why not give it a try and make it a part of your holiday tradition? How to make the perfect Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer Recipe
