Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs

Recipe Collection: Appetizer

Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs elevate your gatherings with a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors. These meatballs are made with lean ground beef and coated in a luscious cranberry and chili sauce, making them a standout appetizer for any occasion. Ideal for meat lovers, this American cuisine recipe is gluten-free and egg-free, ensuring it caters to various dietary needs.

These versatile meatballs are perfect for parties, served warm from a slow cooker, or as a delicious addition to your meal prep. Easily select this recipe from the easyChef Pro App, where you can access personalized recommendations, AI-powered pantry tracking, and a smart shopping list to simplify your cooking experience.

Overview

These Zesty Cranberry-Glazed Cocktail Meatballs are a delightful addition to any party, offering a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors with a hint of spice. The succulent meatballs are baked to perfection and then simmered in a luscious cranberry and chili sauce, making them an irresistible treat for your guests. Ideal for holiday gatherings, these meatballs can be kept warm in a slow cooker, ensuring they remain a hit throughout your event.

Diet Type

Meat

Allergies

Egg, Gluten

Cuisine

American

Serving Size: 10

Cooking Time: 100 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Pound (lb) lean ground beef
• 0.5 Cups bread crumbs
• 3 Tablespoons (tbsp) onion, minced
• 2 Tablespoons (tbsp) water
• 1 Large egg
• 1 8 Ounces (oz) can jellied cranberry sauce
• 0.75 Cups chili sauce
• 1 Tablespoon (tbsp) brown sugar
• 1.5 Teaspoons (tsp) lemon juice
• 1 Teaspoon (tsp) garlic powder
• 0.5 Teaspoon (tsp) salt
• 0.25 Teaspoon (tsp) black pepper
• 0.5 Teaspoon (tsp) Worcestershire sauce

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, minced onion, water, egg, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
3. Form the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs and place them on a nonstick baking sheet.
4. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking.
5. While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a large saucepan over low heat, combine the jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
6. Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the saucepan with the sauce. Gently stir to coat the meatballs evenly.
7. Simmer the meatballs in the sauce over low heat for 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
8. Serve the meatballs hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. For a party setting, keep them warm in a slow cooker on the low setting.

Enjoy these delectable cocktail meatballs as a crowd-pleasing appetizer at your next gathering!