Description
Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are a festive, easy-to-make appetizer featuring tender halal meatballs in a glossy cranberry glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey (halal)
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, finely minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 can (14 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
- ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix ground meat, egg, gluten-free breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning until just combined.
- Roll into 1-inch meatballs and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12–14 minutes until cooked through.
- Meanwhile, combine cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, honey, soy sauce, and chili flakes in a saucepan. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until smooth and glossy.
- Add cooked meatballs to the sauce and toss until fully coated.
- Simmer for 5 more minutes to absorb flavor.
- Serve warm with toothpicks for easy holiday snacking.
Notes
- Halal-friendly option: use halal ground meat.
- Gluten-free: ensure breadcrumbs are certified gluten-free.
- Make-ahead tip: form meatballs and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
- Adjust sweetness or heat by adding more honey or chili flakes.
- Best served warm with toothpicks for easy nibbling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Bake, Simmer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 6 meatballs)
- Calories: About 340 kcal
- Sugar: About 40 g
- Sodium: About 900 mg
- Fat: About 16 g
- Saturated Fat: About 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: About 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: About 30 g
- Fiber: About 1 g
- Protein: About 16 g
- Cholesterol: About 70 mg
Keywords: Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs, cranberry meatballs, halal meatballs, holiday appetizer, cranberry glaze, Christmas party food, easy Christmas appetizer