The holiday season is such a wonderful time of year. It is full of family, friends, and of course, fantastic food. But let’s be honest, it can also get a little hectic. Finding recipes that are both delicious and simple is a huge win. That is where these amazing Cranberry BBQ Meatballs come in. They are one of the most requested holiday appetizers easy enough for anyone to make.
If you are looking for a crowd pleasing dish, you have found it. This recipe combines savory meatballs with a tangy and sweet sauce. It is the kind of dish that disappears from the buffet table in minutes. Get ready to share the recipe because everyone will ask for it. It is one of the best holiday appetizers you will make all season.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What makes this one of the top easy Christmas appetizers for a party? It is all about simplicity and flavor. You do not need any special cooking skills to pull this off. The ingredients are straightforward and easy to find at any grocery store. No complicated steps here. Just simple mixing, baking, and simmering.
The flavor combination is just fantastic. The rich, savory meatballs are coated in a sweet and tangy cranberry barbecue sauce. It is a classic flavor profile with a festive twist. This makes it a great choice for your Christmas party food appetizers. Guests of all ages seem to love this tasty combination.
Another great thing about this recipe is its versatility. You can serve these as holiday finger foods with toothpicks for easy grabbing. You can also keep them warm in a slow cooker for the entire party. This frees you up to enjoy time with your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen. That is a huge plus during busy holiday gatherings.
You can also make parts of this recipe ahead of time. Prepare the meatballs a day in advance and store them in the fridge. When it is party time, you just have to bake them and let them simmer in the sauce. Less stress on the day of your event is always a good thing. This makes planning for your gathering much smoother.
Ingredients
The ingredients for these meatballs are simple and accessible. Here is what you will need to create this wonderful appetizer.
For The Meatballs
- 2 lbs. ground beef or ground chuck
- 1 cup plain bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons Chili Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 tablespoons minced onion
- ½ teaspoon salt
For The Cranberry BBQ Sauce
- 18 oz. jar BBQ sauce
- 12 oz. jar Chili Sauce
- 14 oz. can Jellied Cranberry Sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Juice from ½ lemon
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Step-By-Step Instructions
Making these holiday appetizers easy is the goal. Just follow these simple steps for a delicious outcome every time.
Step 1: Prep The Oven And Baking Sheet
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While it is warming up, grab a large baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper. This little step makes cleanup so much easier later on. Set the prepared baking sheet aside for now.
Step 2: Mix The Meatball Ingredients
In a large bowl, it is time to combine the meatball ingredients. Add the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced onion, and salt. Use your hands or a spoon to gently mix everything together until just combined. A key tip here is to not overwork the meat. Overmixing can lead to tough meatballs, and nobody wants that.
Step 3: Shape And Bake The Meatballs
Once the meat mixture is ready, form it into meatballs about one and a half inches in size. Place them on your prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave a little space, about one inch, between each one. This helps them cook evenly. Pop them in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully turn each meatball over and bake for another 10 minutes. Then, remove them from the oven.
Step 4: Prepare The Sauce
While the meatballs are in the oven, you can get the sauce ready. Find a large skillet and combine all the sauce ingredients in it. This includes the BBQ sauce, chili sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Stir everything together over low heat until it is well blended and smooth. Once it is mixed, you can remove it from the heat until the meatballs are done baking.
Step 5: Simmer And Serve
Now for the final step. Once the meatballs are cooked, gently place them into the skillet with the sauce. Turn the heat to low and let them simmer for about an hour. This simmering time allows the sauce to thicken up nicely and the meatballs to absorb all that amazing flavor. Before serving your fantastic holiday appetizers easy dish, garnish with some fresh chopped parsley. This adds a nice pop of color and freshness. If you are serving them as holiday finger foods, add a toothpick to each one.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is simple. Let the meatballs cool down completely first. Then, place them in an airtight container. They will keep well in the refrigerator for about three to four days. Reheating is easy too. You can gently warm them on the stovetop over low heat or pop them in the microwave for a quick snack.
These meatballs also freeze beautifully. You can freeze the cooked meatballs and sauce together in a freezer safe container or bag. They will last for up to three months in the freezer. When you are ready to enjoy them again, just thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Then reheat them on the stove until they are warmed through. It is a great way to have a quick appetizer on hand.
Tips
- For perfectly uniform meatballs, use a small cookie scoop. This helps ensure they are all the same size and cook evenly.
- To make this recipe a true star of your Christmas party food appetizers display, keep the meatballs warm in a slow cooker set to the low or warm setting.
- You can easily swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken if you prefer a lighter option. The cooking time should remain about the same.
- Do not have minced onion? Onion powder is a good substitute. Use about two teaspoons of onion powder in place of the fresh minced onion.
- Feel free to adjust the sauce to your liking. If you like a little more spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. For more sweetness, add another touch of brown sugar.
Conclusion
There you have it. A recipe for one of the best holiday appetizers around. These Cranberry BBQ Meatballs are a true holiday winner. They are simple to prepare, packed with delicious flavor, and always a hit with guests. It is the kind of recipe that helps make your holiday gatherings feel special without adding a lot of stress to your plate.
So next time you are planning a get together and need some holiday appetizers easy enough for a busy schedule, give this one a try. It is sure to become a festive favorite in your home. Happy holidays and enjoy every delicious moment.
FAQ
Can I Make These Meatballs In A Slow Cooker?
Yes, you absolutely can. You will still want to bake the meatballs in the oven first to brown them. After they are cooked, transfer them to a slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce over the top and cook on low for two to three hours. This is a great way to make these easy Christmas appetizers for a party.
Are These Meatballs Gluten Free?
As written, this recipe is not gluten free because it uses plain bread crumbs. However, you can easily make it gluten free. Just substitute the regular bread crumbs with your favorite gluten free bread crumbs. The rest of the ingredients are typically gluten free, but always check your labels to be sure.
What Can I Serve With These As Holiday Finger Foods?
These meatballs are wonderful on their own as holiday finger foods. Just add toothpicks for easy serving. If you want to serve them as part of a larger spread, they pair nicely with things like cheese and crackers, a fresh vegetable tray, or some crusty bread for dipping in the extra sauce.
Can I Use A Different Type Of Ground Meat?
Definitely. While ground beef or chuck gives a classic rich flavor, ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent lighter alternatives. You could even use a mix of ground pork and ground beef for a different flavor profile. The method and cooking times will stay the same.
Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
These amazing Cranberry BBQ Meatballs are one of the most requested holiday appetizers easy enough for anyone to make. They combine savory meatballs with a tangy and sweet sauce, disappearing from the buffet table in minutes. Perfect for holiday gatherings!
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While it is warming up, grab a large baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper. This little step makes cleanup so much easier later on. Set the prepared baking sheet aside for now.
- In a large bowl, it is time to combine the meatball ingredients. Add the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, chili sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, minced onion, and salt. Use your hands or a spoon to gently mix everything together until just combined. A key tip here is to not overwork the meat. Overmixing can lead to tough meatballs, and nobody wants that.
- Once the meat mixture is ready, form it into meatballs about one and a half inches in size. Place them on your prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave a little space, about one inch, between each one. This helps them cook evenly. Pop them in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully turn each meatball over and bake for another 10 minutes. Then, remove them from the oven.
- While the meatballs are in the oven, you can get the sauce ready. Find a large skillet and combine all the sauce ingredients in it. This includes the BBQ sauce, chili sauce, Jellied Cranberry Sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Stir everything together over low heat until it is well blended and smooth. Once it is mixed, you can remove it from the heat until the meatballs are done baking.
- Now for the final step. Once the meatballs are cooked, gently place them into the skillet with the sauce. Turn the heat to low and let them simmer for about an hour. This simmering time allows the sauce to thicken up nicely and the meatballs to absorb all that amazing flavor. Before serving your fantastic holiday appetizers easy dish, garnish with some fresh chopped parsley. This adds a nice pop of color and freshness. If you are serving them as holiday finger foods, add a toothpick to each one.
Notes
For perfectly uniform meatballs, use a small cookie scoop to ensure they are all the same size and cook evenly.
To keep the meatballs warm for your party, use a slow cooker set to the low or warm setting.
You can easily swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken if you prefer a lighter option. The cooking time should remain about the same.
If you don’t have minced onion, onion powder is a good substitute. Use about two teaspoons in place of fresh minced onion.
Feel free to adjust the sauce to your liking: add a pinch of red pepper flakes for more spice, or another touch of brown sugar for more sweetness.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about three to four days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Cooked meatballs and sauce freeze beautifully in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove.
Nutrition
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