Cranberry Orange Meatballs
These Cranberry Orange Meatballs are a festive, sweet-savory appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Juicy meatballs are glazed in a glossy cranberry-orange sauce for the ultimate warm Christmas bite.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Saucepan
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Glaze
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup orange juice fresh preferred
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, orange zest, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Form into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
- While meatballs bake, combine cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, and soy sauce in a saucepan. Simmer for 5-6 minutes until glossy and slightly thickened.
- Toss the baked meatballs in the warm glaze until evenly coated. Serve immediately or keep warm in a slow cooker.
Notes
- Use fresh orange juice and zest for maximum flavor.
- These can be made ahead and reheated in glaze.
- Try turkey for a leaner version.