Quick Cranberry Meatballs: A Sweet and Savory Christmas Favorite

Looking for an easy, festive dish that brings all the cozy holiday vibes? These Quick Cranberry Meatballs are sweet, tangy, juicy, and just the right amount of sticky. They’re perfect for Christmas parties, potlucks, or a last-minute weeknight dinner that still feels extra special

Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Meatballs

They’re quick, fuss-free, and made with pantry staples. The cranberry sauce adds holiday magic while the mustard and chili sauce balance everything with a gentle kick. No need to overthink your holiday menu when something this flavorful comes together in under 40 minutes

Pair them with this cozy Creamy Potato Soup for a hearty and comforting winter meal everyone will love

What Kind of Ground Pork Works Best?

Choose lean pork around 90 to 95% for juicy but not greasy Quick Cranberry Meatballs. Freshly ground is always best if you can grab it from your butcher, but any clean pink pack from the store will do the trick. No pork? Ground turkey or beef works beautifully too

Easy Ingredient Swaps

Short on ingredients? Here’s how to switch things up without skipping flavor

• Use turkey or chicken instead of pork
• Try panko or crushed crackers instead of breadcrumbs
• No fresh parsley? Dried works in a pinch
• Replace lemon juice with apple cider vinegar
• Use maple syrup or honey if you’re out of brown sugar

And if you happen to have leftover cranberry sauce, don’t toss it. Use it in these sweet-tart Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins for a holiday breakfast treat

What to Serve With Cranberry Meatballs

These Quick Cranberry Meatballs shine solo as an appetizer, but you can easily turn them into a full meal. Serve over steamed rice, buttered egg noodles, or mashed potatoes. Want sliders? Pop them into dinner rolls with extra sauce. A side of green beans or roasted broccoli rounds it out

Or go bold and serve alongside these quick Crispy Loaded Hasselback Potato Bites for an irresistible party platter

How to Store and Reheat

• Fridge: Store cooled meatballs in a sealed container for up to 3 days
• Freezer: Let cool completely, freeze flat on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave with a splash of water or broth to keep things juicy

Want to prep ahead? Roll the meatballs in advance and freeze raw. Bake straight from frozen, just add a few extra minutes

Quick Cook Times

• Prep: 15 20 minutes
• Cook: 20 25 minutes
• Total: Around 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the Quick Cranberry Meatballs

• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 egg
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper

For the cranberry sauce

• 1 can cranberry sauce (jellied or whole)
• ½ cup chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment

Mix the Quick Cranberry Meatballs ingredients in a large bowl until well combined

Form meatballs using your hands or a scoop and place them evenly on the tray

Bake for 18 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through

Meanwhile, make the sauce by combining all sauce ingredients in a saucepan and simmering until smooth

Add cooked meatballs to the sauce and simmer together for 5 minutes

Serve warm with extra sauce spooned over the top and a sprinkle of chopped parsley if you like

Tips for Success

• Don’t overmix the meat or the texture will get tough
• A cookie scoop keeps your meatballs uniform
• Wet your hands lightly to avoid sticking when rolling
• Want a smokier sauce? Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika or BBQ sauce

FAQs

Go ahead and make a double batch because one bowl is never enough. Snap a photo, share the joy, and tag us when you serve these Quick Cranberry Meatballs

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