Go Back

Christmas Meatballs

Christmas meatballs are tender beef-and-pork meatballs baked until browned, then coated in a tangy cranberry chili sauce. They make an easy holiday appetizer with a sweet, savory finish.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting time 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the meatballs
  • 0.5 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 0.33 cup milk
  • 1 egg large
  • 0.5 cup yellow onion finely grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 lb ground beef 85% lean
  • 0.5 lb ground pork
For the sauce
  • 1 can (14 oz) whole-berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 bottle (12 oz) chili sauce
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Equipment

  • 1 rimmed baking sheet
  • 1 3-quart saucepan

Method
 

Make the meatballs
  1. Heat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Stir together the breadcrumbs and milk in a large bowl.
  4. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes.
  5. Mix in the egg, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  6. Add the ground beef and pork and mix gently just until combined.
  7. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
  8. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
  9. Bake for 16 to 20 minutes, until the meatballs are browned and reach 160°F in the center.
Make the sauce
  1. While the meatballs bake, combine the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Stir until smooth.
  3. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
  4. Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce.
  5. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring carefully to coat them.

Notes

For tender meatballs, mix the meat only until combined. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; freeze for up to 3 months. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and verify the sauces are gluten-free.