Quick Cranberry Meatballs Recipe
These Quick Cranberry Meatballs offer a delicious twist on classic meatballs by combining lean ground pork with a tangy and sweet cranberry sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, this easy-to-make recipe blends savory flavors with a hint of festive fruitiness, ideal for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 meatballs (serves 6-8) 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 small onion, grated or finely diced
- 1 ½ pounds very lean ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (like panko)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup tomato ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
Cranberry Sauce
- 2 cups cranberry sauce (homemade or packaged)
- 1 cup tomato ketchup
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the grated onion, very lean ground pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is uniform.
- Form the Meatballs: Using your hands or a small scoop, shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a clean plate or tray ready for cooking.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a small amount of oil. Add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook the meatballs, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
- Prepare the Cranberry Sauce: In a separate saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, tomato ketchup, brown sugar, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth and heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Combine Meatballs with Sauce: Add the cooked meatballs to the cranberry sauce and gently stir to coat them evenly. Simmer together on low heat for an additional 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and meatballs to stay warm.
- Serve: Transfer the cranberry-coated meatballs to a serving dish. Garnish with extra chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm as an appetizer or main dish with sides of your choice.
Notes
- You can substitute ground pork with ground turkey or beef depending on preference.
- Using panko breadcrumbs adds extra crunchiness, but regular breadcrumbs work well too.
- Adjust the sweetness of the cranberry sauce by varying the amount of brown sugar to taste.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and Worcestershire sauce.
- These meatballs can be made ahead of time and reheated gently in the sauce before serving.
Keywords: cranberry meatballs, quick meatballs, pork meatballs, holiday appetizers, cranberry sauce meatballs
Find it online: https://biteandenjoy.com/quick-cranberry-meatballs-recipe/
