The holiday season is all about gathering with friends and family. But let’s be honest, planning the menu can feel like a huge task. You want something delicious and memorable, but you also don’t want to spend the entire party in the kitchen. What if I told you there’s a recipe that ticks all the boxes?
Meet your new favorite holiday appetizer: Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs. This dish is one of the most brilliant Christmas party food ideas dinner planners could ask for. It combines festive cranberry sweetness with a gentle kick of jalapeño heat. It’s a flavor combination that sounds interesting and tastes absolutely amazing. These are not just any meatballs; they are a festive celebration in every single bite. They are one of my favorite Christmas Party Dishes to bring to a gathering.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this recipe is incredibly simple. We are talking minimal effort for maximum flavor. You don’t need any special kitchen gadgets or cooking skills to pull this off. It’s a true lifesaver during the busy holiday rush.
The flavor is just so well balanced. The sweetness from the cranberry sauce pairs beautifully with the warm spice from the jalapeño pepper jelly. It creates a savory, sweet, and tangy glaze that coats every single meatball. It’s a sophisticated taste that feels special enough for a celebration.
It’s also a total crowd pleaser. Seriously, who doesn’t love a good meatball? They are easy to eat, making them fantastic as Finger Foods For Christmas Dinner or as part of a larger buffet. People will be coming back for seconds and thirds, I promise. This is a real winner when you need reliable Christmas party food ideas dinner guests will enjoy.
You can also make a big batch without much extra work. Doubling or tripling the recipe is easy, which is great for larger parties. This flexibility makes it one of the best Christmas Dinner Recipes to have in your collection. You get to enjoy the party instead of worrying about the food.
Plus, they look so festive! The deep red glaze, flecked with green parsley and jalapeño, looks beautiful on a serving platter. It adds a pop of color to your holiday table, making your spread of Xmas Party Food look even more appealing. It is truly a great dish when considering your Christmas party food ideas dinner menu.
Ingredients
The ingredient list for this wonderful Christmas party food ideas dinner recipe is short and sweet. You can find everything at your local grocery store, which is always a bonus during the holidays.
- 1 (14 ounce) can jellied cranberry sauce
- 1 (10.5 ounce) jar hot jalapeño pepper jelly
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 (1 pound) packages frozen beef meatballs
- 1 small jalapeño chile, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
Step-By-Step Instructions
Getting these delicious meatballs ready is so straightforward. Just follow along and you’ll have a fantastic appetizer in no time. This is one of the easiest Christmas Party Dishes you will ever make.
Step 1: Create The Sauce
Grab a Dutch oven or another large pot. Combine the jellied cranberry sauce, hot jalapeño pepper jelly, fresh lemon juice, and garlic salt. Place the pot over medium heat. Whisk everything together as it heats up. You’ll want to keep whisking until the mixture melts into a smooth, well blended sauce. This should take about four minutes.
Step 2: Add The Meatballs
Now it’s time for the star of the show. Add the frozen beef meatballs directly into the pot with your beautiful sauce. Stir gently to make sure every single meatball gets a good coating of that sweet and spicy mixture. The aroma alone is worth it!
Step 3: Cook And Simmer
Once the meatballs are coated, cover the pot. Let it continue cooking over medium heat. You are waiting for the meatballs to thaw and for the sauce to start bubbling. This part usually takes around six to eight minutes. It’s the perfect amount of time to prepare your serving dish.
Step 4: Thicken The Glaze
Next, uncover the pot. Increase the heat to medium high. You’ll want to cook the meatballs for about six more minutes, stirring often. This step is important. It allows the sauce to thicken up and create a beautiful, sticky glaze that clings to the meatballs. Keep an eye on it so the sauce doesn’t burn.
Step 5: Serve And Garnish
Your meatballs are now ready to serve. Use a large spoon to transfer them to a platter or a serving bowl. Drizzle any extra sauce from the pot right over the top. For the finishing touch, sprinkle the finely chopped jalapeño and fresh parsley over them. Serve them hot and watch them disappear! This is how you present amazing Xmas Party Food.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is simple. First, let the meatballs cool completely to room temperature. This is important for food safety. Once cooled, place them in an airtight container. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to four days.
When you’re ready to enjoy them again, you can reheat them gently on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through. You can also pop them in the microwave for a minute or two. They taste just as good the next day. This is a great feature for any Christmas party food ideas dinner menu.
Tips
Want to make this recipe your own? Here are a few simple tips. If you are worried about the heat, you can control the spice level. Use a mild pepper jelly instead of hot, or make sure you remove all the seeds from the fresh jalapeño garnish.
For a party, you can keep these meatballs warm in a slow cooker. Just transfer them to the slow cooker after they are done and set it to the warm setting. This makes them one of the best Finger Foods For Christmas Dinner because guests can serve themselves throughout the event.
While the recipe calls for frozen beef meatballs to save time, you can certainly use your favorite homemade meatball recipe. Just make sure they are fully cooked before adding them to the sauce. Turkey or chicken meatballs would also be a delicious alternative.
To make this dish ahead of time, you can prepare the sauce a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge. When you are ready to serve, just heat the sauce and add the meatballs. This is a smart trick for planning your Christmas party food ideas dinner.
Conclusion
There you have it, a simple yet impressive recipe that is sure to be a hit at your next holiday gathering. These Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs are the kind of dish that brings people together. They are flavorful, easy to make, and look stunning on any table.
This is one of those Christmas Dinner Recipes that you will come back to year after year. It takes the stress out of holiday hosting and lets you focus on what really matters, spending time with your loved ones. So go ahead and add this to your list of Christmas party food ideas dinner. You will be so glad you did!
FAQ
Can I Make This Recipe In A Slow Cooker?
Absolutely! To make this in a slow cooker, simply combine all the sauce ingredients in the slow cooker and whisk until smooth. Then, add the frozen meatballs and stir to coat. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the meatballs are heated through.
Can I Use A Different Kind Of Meatball?
Yes, you can. This recipe is very versatile. Frozen turkey, chicken, or even plant based meatballs would work wonderfully with this sweet and spicy sauce. Just be sure to follow the package instructions for cooking times if they differ.
Is This Recipe Gluten Free?
This depends entirely on the meatballs you choose. Many brands of frozen meatballs contain breadcrumbs, which have gluten. To make this dish gluten free, be sure to purchase meatballs that are specifically labeled as gluten free.
What Should I Serve With These Meatballs?
These meatballs are great on their own as Finger Foods For Christmas Dinner. You can also serve them over rice or creamy mashed potatoes to make them a more substantial part of your Christmas party food ideas dinner. They are also delicious with crackers or small rolls for scooping up the extra sauce.
Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs
These Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs are a delicious and easy appetizer, perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining sweet cranberry with a gentle jalapeño kick, they’re a festive celebration in every bite. Minimal effort for maximum flavor, this crowd-pleaser can be made ahead and kept warm in a slow cooker.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Grab a Dutch oven or another large 5 Quart Stock Pot. Combine the jellied cranberry sauce, hot jalapeño pepper jelly, fresh lemon juice, and garlic salt. Place the pot over medium heat. Whisk everything together as it heats up. You’ll want to keep whisking until the mixture melts into a smooth, well blended sauce. This should take about four minutes.
- Add the frozen beef meatballs directly into the pot with your beautiful sauce. Stir gently to make sure every single meatball gets a good coating of that sweet and spicy mixture.
- Once the meatballs are coated, cover the pot. Let it continue cooking over medium heat. You are waiting for the meatballs to thaw and for the sauce to start bubbling. This part usually takes around six to eight minutes.
- Next, uncover the pot. Increase the heat to medium high. You’ll want to cook the meatballs for about six more minutes, stirring often. This step is important. It allows the sauce to thicken up and create a beautiful, sticky glaze that clings to the meatballs. Keep an eye on it so the sauce doesn’t burn.
- Your meatballs are now ready to serve. Use a large spoon to transfer them to a platter or a serving bowl. Drizzle any extra sauce from the pot right over the top. For the finishing touch, sprinkle the finely chopped jalapeño and fresh parsley over them. Serve them hot and watch them disappear!
Notes
To control spice, use mild Red Pepper Jelly or remove all seeds from fresh jalapeño garnish.
Keep meatballs warm for parties in a Instant Pot Multi Cooker set to warm.
Homemade turkey or chicken meatballs can be used, ensuring they are fully cooked before adding to the sauce.
Prepare the sauce a day or two in advance and store in the fridge for convenience.
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat gently on stovetop or in microwave.
Nutrition
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