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Holiday Cranberry Meatballs

Delicious cranberry-infused meatballs enveloped in a sweet and tangy sauce, perfect for holiday gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 20 meatballs
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 70
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey Use turkey for a lighter option.
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs Substitute with gluten-free crackers for GF option.
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 count egg
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce
  • 1 can whole cranberry sauce (14 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
For Garnish (Optional)
  • to taste Chopped green onions For garnish.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, parsley, egg, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  3. Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. You should yield around 20 meatballs.
  4. Place the meatballs on a greased baking sheet or lined with parchment paper for easy transfer.
Cooking
  1. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
  2. While the meatballs are baking, combine the cranberry sauce and barbecue sauce in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir until the mixture is warmed through and well combined.
  3. Once the meatballs are cooked, toss them in the cranberry sauce mixture until they are evenly coated.
  4. Transfer the meatballs to a serving platter and garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.