Description
These Cranberry-Glazed Meatballs are a perfect, flavorful centerpiece or appetizer for your next holiday gathering. They bring a wonderful balance of sweet and savory, making every bite a delightful experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup whole cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, gently combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, salt, and pepper. Do not overmix.
- Roll the mixture into small, uniform meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through.
- While the meatballs bake, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, whisk together the cranberry sauce, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard.
- Heat the glaze over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is smooth and slightly bubbling. Remove from heat.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the warm glaze over the meatballs.
- Toss gently until all meatballs are evenly coated with the glaze.
- Serve warm immediately as an appetizer or main course.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute ground meat with a mix of beef and pork for richer flavor.
- If you like a tangier glaze, add a splash of lemon juice to the sauce.
- For an easy cleanup, use a small cookie scoop to portion your meatballs evenly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 55mg