The holiday season is all about warmth, joy, and of course, amazing food. But let’s be honest, hosting can get a little hectic. Finding recipes that are both impressive and easy is the key to a stress free celebration.
That is where these incredible cranberry pepper jelly meatballs come in. They are the answer to your search for perfect Christmas appetizers. They look beautiful, taste fantastic, and are surprisingly simple to put together. What more could you ask for?
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the flavor is just spectacular. You get a wonderful combination of savory meatballs, sweet cranberry, and a tiny kick from the pepper jelly. It is a taste that feels special and festive, perfect for the season.
Another reason to adore this recipe is its simplicity. You do not need any fancy kitchen gadgets or complicated techniques. It is a straightforward recipe that delivers big results, making it great for beginners.
These meatballs are a certified crowd pleaser. Seriously, every time I make these for a gathering, the dish is empty in no time. They are one of those Holiday Party Appetizers that everyone talks about long after the party ends.
Plus, this is one of those great Christmas Food Recipes you can prepare ahead of time. This frees you up to enjoy time with your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen. A true gift during the busy holidays.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to gather. The list is simple, using ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store.
For the Meatballs
- 2 pounds ground chuck
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons minced onion (optional)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Cranberry Pepper Jelly Sauce
- 10 ounces hot pepper jelly (1 jar)
- 12 ounces chili sauce (1 jar)
- 8 ounces jellied cranberry sauce (1 jar)
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (from ½ lemon)
Step By Step Instructions
Let’s walk through making these amazing christmas appetizers together. Just follow these simple steps.
Step 1: Get Everything Ready
First things first, let’s prepare our workspace. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures it’s nice and hot when your meatballs are ready to bake.
Next, grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. This is a small step, but it makes cleanup so much easier later on. No one likes scrubbing pans during a party.
Step 2: Mix The Meatballs
In a large mixing bowl, it is time to bring the meatball ingredients together. Add your ground chuck, breadcrumbs, and the slightly beaten eggs.
Now add the flavor. Pour in the sweet chili sauce and Worcestershire sauce. If you are using it, add the minced onion, and finally sprinkle in the kosher salt.
Gently combine everything with your hands. The key here is to mix just until all the ingredients are incorporated. If you overwork the mixture, the meatballs can become tough.
Step 3: Shape And Bake
Once the mixture is ready, begin forming it into meatballs. Aim for about one and a half inches in size. A small cookie scoop can help keep them uniform.
Place each meatball on your prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave a little space between each one, about one inch, so they cook evenly.
Slide the baking sheet into your preheated oven. Bake for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully take them out and turn each meatball over. This helps them brown on all sides.
Return them to the oven and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes. You will know they are done when they are cooked all the way through. Then, remove them from the oven.
Step 4: Make The Sauce
While the meatballs are in the oven, you can prepare the delicious sauce. This is what makes these Holiday Party Appetizers so special.
Grab a large skillet and set it over low heat. You want gentle heat to melt everything together without burning it.
Add all of your sauce ingredients to the skillet. That includes the hot pepper jelly, chili sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, dark brown sugar, and lemon juice.
Stir everything together until it is well blended and smooth. Once it is combined, you can remove the skillet from the heat until your meatballs are finished cooking.
Step 5: Simmer And Serve
Now for the final touch. Once the meatballs are fully cooked, carefully place them into the skillet with your sauce. Gently stir to coat every single meatball.
Let them simmer in the sauce for about an hour. This long, slow simmer allows the meatballs to absorb all that amazing flavor and helps the sauce thicken to a beautiful glaze.
Your amazing Christmas appetizers are ready to serve. You can keep them warm in a slow cooker for a party or serve them straight from the skillet.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is easy. First, let the meatballs cool completely to room temperature before you store them.
Place the cooled meatballs and sauce in an airtight container. They can be refrigerated for up to four days. This makes them great for planning your Christmas Dinner Recipes in advance.
For longer storage, you can freeze them. Place them in a freezer safe container or bag. They will keep well in the freezer for about two to three months.
When you are ready to enjoy them again, you can reheat them gently on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through. A microwave also works in a pinch.
Tips
- Slow Cooker Friendly: After simmering for an hour, you can transfer the meatballs to a slow cooker set on the warm setting. This is a wonderful way to serve them at a party, keeping them hot for hours.
- Don’t Overmix: I mentioned it before, but it is important. Be gentle when mixing your meatball ingredients. This keeps them tender and juicy.
- Ingredient Swaps: Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. You can also experiment with different jelly flavors, like apricot, for a unique twist.
- Serving Ideas: These are great on their own with toothpicks for easy grabbing. You could also serve them on small slider buns for a more substantial appetizer.
Conclusion
These cranberry pepper jelly meatballs are truly a standout dish for any holiday gathering. They are the kind of memorable Christmas Food Recipes that your family and friends will ask for year after year.
With their festive colors and incredible taste, they bring so much cheer to the table. Plus, their simplicity means you get to relax and enjoy the celebration.
I hope you give these fantastic Christmas appetizers a try. They are sure to become a new holiday tradition in your home. Happy cooking and happy holidays!
FAQ
Can I Use Frozen Meatballs?
Absolutely. If you are short on time, you can use a bag of your favorite premade frozen meatballs. Just cook them according to the package directions, then add them to the sauce to simmer.
Is This Recipe Spicy?
The hot pepper jelly adds a very mild warmth, but it is not overwhelmingly spicy. It is balanced by the sweetness of the cranberry and chili sauce. If you prefer no heat, you can use a regular pepper jelly or even apple jelly.
Can I Make This Gluten Free?
Yes, you can. To make this recipe gluten free, simply use gluten free breadcrumbs in the meatballs and ensure your Worcestershire sauce and chili sauce are certified gluten free.
What Kind Of Chili Sauce Should I Use?
Look for a bottled chili sauce, often found in the ketchup aisle. A common brand like Heinz works very well in this recipe. It provides a tangy and sweet base for the sauce.
Can I Prepare This Entirely In A Slow Cooker?
You can certainly use a slow cooker. You would still bake the meatballs as directed. Then, combine the baked meatballs and all the sauce ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, then switch to warm for serving.
Cranberry Pepper Jelly Meatballs
These delicious cranberry pepper jelly meatballs are a festive and easy appetizer, offering a delightful blend of savory, sweet cranberry, and a hint of pepper jelly. Simple to make and always a crowd-plaser.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chuck, breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, sweet chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced onion (if using), and kosher salt. Mix gently until just combined.
- Form mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs. Place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving 1 inch between each. Bake for 10 minutes. Flip meatballs, then bake for another 10-15 minutes until cooked through. Remove from oven.
- While meatballs bake, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet over low heat, combine hot pepper jelly, chili sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, dark brown sugar, and lemon juice. Stir until smooth. Remove from heat.
- Once meatballs are cooked, add them to the skillet with the sauce. Gently stir to coat.
- Simmer in the sauce for about an hour to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken. Serve warm.
Notes
After simmering for an hour, you can transfer the meatballs to a slow cooker set on the warm setting. This is a wonderful way to serve them at a party, keeping them hot for hours.
Be gentle when mixing your meatball ingredients. This keeps them tender and juicy.
Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. You can also experiment with different jelly flavors, like apricot, for a unique twist.
These are great on their own with toothpicks for easy grabbing. You could also serve them on small slider buns for a more substantial appetizer.
The hot pepper jelly adds a very mild warmth, but it is not overwhelmingly spicy. It is balanced by the sweetness of the cranberry and chili sauce. If you prefer no heat, you can use a regular pepper jelly or even apple jelly.
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply use gluten-free breadcrumbs in the meatballs and ensure your Worcestershire sauce and chili sauce are certified gluten-free.
Look for a bottled chili sauce, often found in the ketchup aisle. A common brand like Heinz works very well in this recipe. It provides a tangy and sweet base for the sauce.
You can certainly use a slow cooker for the sauce. Combine the baked meatballs and all the sauce ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, then switch to warm for serving.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
