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Cranberry Meatballs with Sweet Tart Cranberry Sauce Recipe

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4.3 from 14 reviews

These Cranberry Meatballs are juicy, tender, and coated in a glossy sweet and tart cranberry sauce. Easy to prepare and perfect for holiday gatherings, they make a delightful appetizer or a cozy dinner when served over mashed potatoes. The blend of ground pork, tangy cranberry sauce, and a hint of Worcestershire creates a savory-sweet flavor guaranteed to disappear fast.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 30-35 meatballs

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 small onion (grated or finely chopped)
  • 1 ½ pound ground pork (extra lean)
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (such as Panko)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup parsley (fresh, chopped)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)

Sauce

  • 2 cups cranberry sauce (homemade or store bought)
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. Set the prepared baking sheet aside.
  2. Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the grated or finely chopped onion, ground pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well blended to ensure even flavors in every meatball.
  3. Form Meatballs: Wet your hands with water to prevent sticking, then shape the mixture into medium-sized meatballs. You should aim to make about 30 to 35 meatballs. Using a small ice cream scoop can help achieve uniform size.
  4. Bake Meatballs: Place the formed meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until an internal thermometer inserted into the meatballs registers 160℉, ensuring they are cooked through and safe to eat.
  5. Prepare Cranberry Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine the cranberry sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and fresh lemon juice in a large skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil.
  6. Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Reduce the heat to low, add the baked meatballs into the cranberry sauce, and gently stir to coat. Continue cooking until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired, and serve the meatballs warm either as an appetizer or over mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.

Notes

  • Using extra lean ground pork helps keep the meatballs juicy but not overly greasy.
  • To make browning easier and more uniform, use a small ice cream scoop to portion the meatballs.
  • Ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160℉ for safe consumption.
  • Homemade cranberry sauce can be substituted with store-bought to save time.
  • These meatballs can also be made ahead and reheated gently in the sauce.
  • For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of ground cloves or allspice to the sauce.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://avascooking.com/cranberry-meatballs-with-sweet-tart-cranberry-sauce-recipe/