Christmas Meatballs – Get ready to wow your guests this holiday season with a mouthwatering treat. These meatballs are incredibly delicious, coated in a delightful sweet-tangy sauce that will leave everyone craving more. Simple to make and impossible to resist, they’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser for your festive gatherings. With this fail-proof recipe, you’ll have a make-ahead appetizer that steals the show at any party!
Why You’ll Love this Christmas Meatball Recipe
It’s a festive treat that’s both easy and perfect for any holiday gathering. With just 10 minutes of prep time and a handful ingredients, this appetizer are a stress-free addition to your party menu… simplifying your busy preparations has never been easier! Give them a try—you won’t be disappointed.
Meatballs are incredibly versatile and make for fantastic appetizers, especially during the holidays. This meatball recipe, paired with a homemade cranberry sauce, is not just delicious but also a visual delight for your table.
The star of this recipe is undoubtedly the cranberry sauce. Made with brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, garlic and shallot, this sauce bursts with incredible sweet and tangy flavors. When paired with the hearty meatballs, it creates a mouthwatering combination that’s sure to please every guest.
Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step VIDEO or follow along on YouTube.
Ingredients for the Meatballs
- Ground Meat: I used ground beef, but feel free to choose chicken, turkey, lamb or a blend of beef and pork for your meatballs.
- Breadcrumbs: These soak up the meat juices while cooking, keeping the meatballs moist and flavorful.
- Egg: Helps to bind the meat mixture with breadcrumbs and spices for a well-formed meatball.
- Seasoning: A blend of garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Parmesan: This cheese melts during cooking, lending a creamy richness and a hint of saltiness to the meat mixture.
Ingredients for the Cranberry Sauce
- Cranberries: Whether fresh or frozen, both work perfectly well for this recipe. However, dried cranberries won’t work for making the sauce.
- Shallot and Garlic: Freshly chopped shallot and garlic cloves provide a delicious savory essence essential for the sauce—don’t skip these!
- Brown Sugar: Adds a delightful sweetness and a syrupy texture to the sauce. You can substitute it with any sugar available.
- Water: Used to thin out the sauce and aid in simmering the cranberries to perfection.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Adds a rich complex sweetness along with a pleasant mild tartness.
What to serve with cranberry meatballs?
- These meatball bites are perfect alongside mini sandwiches, bruschetta, whipped feta dip or breadsticks.
- Topping: You can use fresh rosemary, thyme or parsley. Chili flakes add a nice kick, and you could also use a little orange zest.
How to Make Christmas Meatballs Ahead?
You can prepare the meatballs with cranberry sauce a day in advance. Allow them to cool completely, then store refrigerated in an airtight container. When it’s time to serve, reheat them over medium-low until the meatballs are heated through. You might need to add a splash of water to adjust the sauce consistency.
How to store leftover Christmas Meatballs
- Refrigerator: After the holiday festivities, if you have leftover meatballs, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: For longer-term storage, place the meatballs in airtight containers and freeze them. They can last in the freezer for up to 3 months, they’re also perfect for game days, family gatherings or potlucks.
Appetizers for your next gathering
I have a variety of appetizer recipes perfect for your upcoming gatherings. From finger foods to delectable dips, this collection has something for everyone. Here are a few of my personal favorites:
Cooking Video: How to Make Christmas Meatballs
Christmas Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1.1 pounds ground meat - like chicken, turkey, beef, lamb or pork
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp breadcrumbs
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tbsp olive oil - for cooking
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter - for cooking
Cranberry Sauce
- 1 shallot - finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves - minced
- 9 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
- 3 ounces brown sugar
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup water
- fresh rosemary - for serving
- chili flakes - for serving
Instructions
- To a bowl, add ground meat, egg, garlic powder, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs and Parmesan. Mix with your hands, just until combined. Roll into 2-teaspoon sized meatballs. Makes about 35 meatballs.
- Heat oil and butter over medium in a large skillet or pan. Add meatballs and brown all over for about 2 minutes. Remove from skillet, leaving the oil in the skillet.
- Add garlic and shallot, cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in cranberries, next add brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour in water, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust brown sugar, if you like your sauce sweeter.
- Remove the lid from the skillet, toss in meatballs and simmer, uncovered for 5 minutes more or until the meatballs are cooked through.
- Top with rosemary and chili flakes. Enjoy!
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