Cranberry Meatballs
Juicy, tender Cranberry Meatballs coated in a sweet tart sauce, perfect for the holidays.
Equipment
- Aluminum Baking Sheet (2 pack)
- parchment paper
- Glass Mixing Bowl Set (3 piece)
- 12-inch cast iron skillet
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 small onion grated or finely chopped
- 1.5 pound ground pork extra lean
- 1 cup breadcrumbs such as Panko
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup parsley fresh, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon pepper or to taste
Sauce
- 2 cups cranberry sauce homemade or store bought
- 1 cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl combine all the meatball ingredients together and mix well.
- Wet your hands and form the mixture into medium size meatballs. You should end up with about 30-35 meatballs.
- Transfer the meatballs to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160℉.
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet add all the sauce ingredients, stir and cook over medium heat until it comes to a boil.
- Turn down the heat and stir in the meatballs. Cook until heated through.
- Garnish with parsley if preferred and serve warm.
Notes
Ground pork makes the juiciest meatballs, but a mix of pork and beef or even turkey works just as well. Panko breadcrumbs gives a light, tender texture. Regular breadcrumbs are fine too. Homemade cranberry sauce or store-bought both work. I recommend whole berry cranberry sauce. Taste and adjust after simmering. Add lemon juice if it’s too sweet, or a bit of sugar if it’s too tart. Make-ahead: Bake the meatballs, cool, and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Warm in the sauce when ready to serve. Freeze cooked meatballs and sauce separately for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat on the stove. These stay perfect in a slow cooker on Low if you’re entertaining.
Nutrition
Serving: 4meatballsCalories: 472kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 19gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 734mgPotassium: 487mgFiber: 2gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 470IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!