Description
Cranberry cocktail meatballs deliver a mouthwatering blend of savory and sweet flavors that will delight guests at any gathering. Quick and easy to prepare, these irresistible bites promise to elevate your party spread with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein Ingredients:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef
- 2 large eggs
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120 grams) bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 16-ounce (454 grams) can jellied cranberry sauce
- 1 12-ounce (340 grams) bottle chili sauce
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
Instructions
- Craft delectable meatballs by blending ground beef with bread crumbs, eggs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Meticulously shape the meat mixture into compact, uniform spheres approximately one inch in diameter.
- Arrange the raw meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring ample spacing between each morsel.
- Roast the meatballs in a preheated 375°F oven for 20 minutes until golden brown and thoroughly cooked.
- Simultaneously, construct a vibrant sauce by whisking together cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and zesty lemon juice in a large pot or slow cooker.
- Heat the sauce mixture over medium temperature, stirring periodically until ingredients meld into a smooth, glossy consistency.
- Gently transfer the freshly baked meatballs into the simmering sauce, carefully coating each piece with the tangy glaze.
- Allow meatballs to simmer in the sauce for 2-3 hours in a slow cooker or 20-30 minutes on the stovetop to enhance flavor absorption.
- Present the glazed meatballs warm, garnished with toothpicks for effortless nibbling during gatherings or serve alongside fluffy rice for a complete dining experience.
Notes
- Ensure meatballs are uniform in size for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the batch.
- Consider using lean ground beef or turkey to reduce overall fat content while maintaining juicy flavor.
- Swap bread crumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour for celiac or gluten-sensitive guests.
- Test internal meatball temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee food safety, aiming for 160°F (71°C).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-30 minutes (or 2-3 hours in a slow cooker)
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg