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Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs

These Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs are a perfect blend of sweet and savory, combining beef, pork, and a delightful cranberry-orange sauce, ideal for any gathering.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Party Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Appetizer, Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs, Cranberry Sauce, Meatballs, Party Food
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 80kcal

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

  • 2 slices slices of bread (approx. 3 oz) Torn into small pieces
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp grated onion
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 large egg (beaten)
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb ground pork

For the Sauce

  • 12 oz bottled BBQ sauce
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup orange marmalade

Instructions

Preparation

  • Tear the bread slices into small pieces and place them in a mixing bowl. Pour the whole milk over the bread and let it soak for about 5 minutes.
  • Add the kosher salt, black pepper, grated onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and beaten egg to the soaked bread. Mix until well combined.
  • Gradually add the ground beef and ground pork to the mixture, ensuring you mix it well but do not overwork the meat to keep the meatballs tender.

Baking the Meatballs

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Use your hands to form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until they are browned and cooked through.

Preparing the Sauce

  • While the meatballs bake, combine the BBQ sauce, cranberries, and orange marmalade in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the cranberries burst, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Once the meatballs are done, transfer them into the saucepan with the sauce and stir gently to coat them evenly.
  • Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for an additional 5 minutes for that perfect flavor blend.

Serving

  • Serve the meatballs straight from the skillet or transfer them to a beautiful serving dish. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Feel free to swap out the ground pork for turkey or chicken, and consider adding red pepper flakes for a spicy kick! Replace orange marmalade with homemade cranberry sauce for added tanginess. You can prepare the meatballs a day in advance and reheat them in sauce before serving.