The holiday season is here, and you know what that means. Twinkling lights, festive music, and of course, gatherings with friends and family. But let’s be honest, hosting can feel like a big job.
You want to serve something special, something that feels festive. But you don’t want to spend the entire party in the kitchen. That’s where the perfect Christmas Appetizers Easy recipe comes in, and I think I have just the thing for you.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cranberry meatballs are a total game changer for holiday hosting. First off, they are incredibly simple to make. We’re talking mix, shape, and cook. The microwave method in this recipe is a huge time saver, getting them done in minutes.
The flavor is just so festive. You get that savory, rich taste from the beef and onion soup mix. Then, the cranberry sauce brings a wonderful sweet and tangy element. The little bits of dried cranberry in the meatballs add a fun surprise texture and a burst of sweetness.
They look absolutely beautiful on a platter. The deep red, glossy sauce makes them a stunning addition to any holiday table. They truly look like you spent hours on them, but we know the secret. They are fantastic Holiday Party Appetizers that always get rave reviews.
Plus, this recipe is so versatile. You can make a big batch for a crowd or a smaller one for a family dinner. They are a wonderful choice for Christmas Dinner Appetizers to enjoy before the main course. It’s one of those recipes you’ll come back to year after year.
Ingredients
Let’s talk about what you will need. The list is simple, using ingredients you can easily find at any grocery store, especially around the holidays.
For the Meatballs
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 envelope onion soup mix
- 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 1 and 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
For the Sauce
- 1 can (14 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
- 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to see how these fantastic Xmas Appetizers come together? It’s so simple. Follow along and you’ll have amazing appetizers in no time.
Step 1: Combine the Meatball Ingredients
Find a large mixing bowl. In it, combine your lightly beaten eggs, the entire envelope of onion soup mix, the seasoned bread crumbs, those yummy chopped dried cranberries, and the fresh parsley.
Give these ingredients a quick stir to get them acquainted. This helps ensure everything is evenly distributed before you add the beef.
Step 2: Add the Beef and Mix
Now it’s time for the ground beef. Add it to the bowl with the other ingredients. The key here is to mix lightly but thoroughly. You can use a fork or your hands.
Overworking the meat can make the meatballs tough, and nobody wants that. Mix just until everything is combined. It should look like a uniform mixture without any big pockets of breadcrumbs or seasoning.
Step 3: Shape the Meatballs
Here comes the fun part. Gently shape the beef mixture into 1 inch balls. Try to make them all about the same size so they cook evenly. This recipe should give you quite a few meatballs, which is great for a party.
A small cookie scoop can be a great tool to help you get uniform portions. Just scoop and roll. It makes the process go so much faster.
Step 4: Cook the Meatballs in the Microwave
This is the amazing time saving step. Grab a large microwave safe plate. Place about a third of your meatballs on the plate, giving them a little space so they are not touching.
Cover the plate with a piece of waxed paper. This prevents any splatters inside your microwave. Cook on high for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
Once cooked, carefully remove them from the microwave. Place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease. Repeat this process twice more with the remaining meatballs. This makes cleanup for your Christmas Appetizers Easy so much simpler.
Step 5: Mix the Sauce Ingredients
Now for that glorious sauce. In a 2 quart microwave safe dish, like a Pyrex bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients. That’s the whole berry cranberry sauce, ketchup, beef broth, brown sugar, chopped onion, and cider vinegar.
Stir everything together until it’s well mixed. The whole berries from the cranberry sauce add a lovely texture.
Step 6: Cook the Sauce and Add Meatballs
Cover the dish with the sauce mixture. Microwave it on high for 3 to 4 minutes. About halfway through, give it a stir to make sure the sugar dissolves and it heats evenly.
Once the sauce is heated through, gently stir in your cooked meatballs. You want to coat every single one in that delicious, glossy sauce. Be gentle so you don’t break them apart.
Step 7: Final Heat and Serve
Cover the dish again and pop it back into the microwave. Heat on high for another 1 to 2 minutes, just until everything is heated through. And that’s it! Your amazing Christmas Party Food Appetizers are ready to serve.
How To Store Leftovers
If you somehow end up with leftovers, storing them is simple. First, let the meatballs cool down completely to room temperature. This is important for food safety.
Place the meatballs and all the sauce into an airtight container. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, you can gently reheat them in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove over low heat.
These also freeze beautifully. Place the cooled meatballs and sauce in a freezer safe container or a zip top bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as mentioned above.
Tips
Want to make your Christmas Appetizers Easy even better? Here are a few handy tips. For a little extra flavor, you could add a pinch of allspice or nutmeg to the meatball mixture. It adds a nice holiday warmth.
If you don’t want to use the microwave, you can bake the meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
This recipe is also great in a slow cooker. Cook the meatballs first, then place them in a slow cooker. Pour the mixed sauce over them and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours. This is a great option for keeping your Holiday Party Appetizers warm throughout a party.
For serving, sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley over the top for a pop of color. You can serve them straight from a decorative bowl with a serving spoon, or place them on a platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing.
Conclusion
There you have it. A wonderfully simple, festive, and delicious recipe for Christmas Appetizers Easy enough for any skill level. It checks all the boxes for great holiday food. It’s quick, looks impressive, and tastes amazing.
These cranberry meatballs will surely become a staple in your holiday recipe collection. They are the kind of Christmas Dinner Appetizers that get everyone talking. I hope you and your loved ones enjoy every single bite. Happy holidays and happy cooking!
FAQ
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! This is one of the best things about these Xmas Appetizers. You can prepare and cook the meatballs a day or two in advance. Store them in the fridge. Prepare the sauce and store it separately. When ready to serve, just heat the sauce and add the meatballs.
Can I Use a Different Type of Meat?
Yes, you can. Lean ground turkey or ground chicken would be great alternatives. Just be sure to cook them until they are no longer pink in the middle. The cooking time might vary slightly.
Is There a Substitute for Onion Soup Mix?
If you don’t have onion soup mix, you can make your own blend. A good starting point would be 3 tablespoons of dried minced onion, a teaspoon of onion powder, a teaspoon of beef bouillon powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. This will give you a similar savory flavor.
What Can I Serve With These Meatballs?
These are great on their own as part of a spread of Christmas Party Food Appetizers. You could also serve them over a bed of rice or mashed potatoes for a more substantial meal. They pair nicely with a simple green salad to balance the richness.
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten Free?
Yes, making these gluten free is quite simple. Just substitute the seasoned bread crumbs with your favorite gluten free bread crumbs. Also, double check that your onion soup mix and beef broth are certified gluten free, as some brands can contain gluten.
Easy Christmas Cranberry Meatballs
These festive cranberry meatballs are incredibly simple to make, combining savory beef with a sweet and tangy cranberry sauce. A stunning and delicious appetizer for any holiday party.
Requirements
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
For the Sauce:
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, onion soup mix, bread crumbs, dried cranberries, and parsley.
- Add ground beef and mix gently but thoroughly until just combined. Overworking the meat can make it tough.
- Gently shape the mixture into 1-inch balls. Try to make them uniform in size for even cooking.
- Place one-third of the meatballs on a large microwave-safe plate. Cover with waxed paper and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, or until cooked through. Drain on paper towels and repeat with the remaining meatballs.
- In a 2-quart microwave-safe dish, combine all sauce ingredients: cranberry sauce, ketchup, beef broth, brown sugar, chopped onion, and cider vinegar. Stir until well mixed.
- Cover the sauce and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure the sugar dissolves.
- Gently stir the cooked meatballs into the hot sauce, coating them evenly.
- Cover the dish again and microwave for another 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through. Serve warm.
Notes
For a little extra flavor, you could add a pinch of allspice or nutmeg to the meatball mixture for a nice holiday warmth.
If you prefer, bake the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
This recipe is great for parties in a slow cooker. Cook the meatballs first, then place them in a slow cooker with the sauce on low for 2-3 hours to keep warm.
For serving, sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley over the top for a pop of color. Serve with toothpicks for easy grabbing.
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