The holiday season is here, and you know what that means. It’s time for sparkling lights, festive music, and gatherings with friends and family. It’s my favorite time of year.
But let’s be honest, hosting can feel a little overwhelming. You want to serve something amazing without spending the entire day in the kitchen. I have the perfect solution for you. These are the best Christmas Party Appetizers you will ever make.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, these meatballs are incredibly simple to put together. You don’t need any special skills or fancy equipment. This is one of those truly easy Holiday Appetizers Easy recipes that delivers big on flavor.
The flavor is just incredible. The meatballs are savory and tender, and the sauce is a beautiful blend of sweet and tangy. The cranberry and BBQ sauce combination feels so festive and special for the holidays.
This is a serious crowd pleaser. Every single time I make these for a party, the platter is empty in minutes. People always ask for the recipe, which is the best compliment a cook can get, right?
Plus, you can make everything ahead of time. This frees you up to actually enjoy your own party. Just keep them warm in a slow cooker, and your guests can serve themselves. These are truly worry free Christmas Party Appetizers.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to get started. The list is pretty straightforward, with items you can find at any grocery store.
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
Ready to make the most popular Christmas Appetizers of the season? Let’s walk through it together. It’s easier than you think.
Step 1: Prepare for Baking
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Go ahead and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This little step makes cleanup a breeze later on. Set that aside for now.
Step 2: Mix the Meatballs
Grab a large bowl. Add your ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced onion, and salt. Now, gently mix everything together with your hands until it’s just combined.
A quick tip here. Try not to overwork the meat. If you mix it too much, the meatballs can become tough. We are aiming for tender and juicy bites.
Step 3: Form and Bake
Now for the fun part. Roll the meat mixture into balls about one and a half inches in size. Place them on your prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave a little space between each one.
Bake them at 350 degrees F for ten minutes. Then, carefully take them out and turn each meatball over. Pop them back in the oven for another ten minutes. This ensures they cook evenly.
Step 4: Prepare the Sauce
While those meatballs are getting nice and golden in the oven, you can make the sauce. This is one of my favorite Christmas Appetizers Recipes because the sauce is so simple.
In a large skillet, combine the BBQ sauce, chili sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Set it over low heat and stir until everything is well blended and smooth.
Once it is mixed, you can remove it from the heat until the meatballs are ready. This sauce makes fantastic Xmas Appetizers.
Step 5: Simmer and Serve
Once the meatballs are fully cooked, it’s time to bring it all together. Gently place the cooked meatballs into the skillet with your delicious cranberry BBQ sauce.
Let them simmer on low for about one hour. This allows the meatballs to absorb all that wonderful flavor and for the sauce to thicken up into a glossy glaze. Your kitchen will smell amazing.
Before serving your beautiful Christmas Party Appetizers, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley over the top. It adds a nice pop of color and freshness. If you’re serving them as appetizers, stick a toothpick in each one.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, which is rare, storing them is simple. Allow the meatballs to cool completely to room temperature. This is an important step for food safety.
Transfer the meatballs and sauce to an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. They make a great quick lunch or an easy dinner later in the week.
To reheat, you can gently warm them on the stovetop over low heat. You can also pop them in the microwave for a minute or two until heated through. They taste just as good the next day.
Tips
Want to make these Christmas Party Appetizers even better? Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks.
- Use a Slow Cooker: After you bake the meatballs, you can transfer them and the sauce to a slow cooker. Let them cook on low for 2 to 3 hours. This is great for parties because it keeps them warm for guests.
- Make Ahead Friendly: You can bake the meatballs a day in advance and store them in the fridge. Then, just warm them up in the sauce when you are ready to serve. This is a huge time saver.
- Shortcut Alert: In a pinch, you can use pre-made, frozen meatballs. Just make sure they are fully thawed and cooked according to package directions before adding them to the sauce to simmer.
- Switch Up the Meat: This recipe is also delicious with ground turkey or even a mix of ground pork and beef. Feel free to experiment with what you have on hand.
- Don’t Skip the Garnish: The fresh parsley really does make a difference. It adds a touch of brightness that cuts through the richness of the sauce, making these Holiday Appetizers Easy to enjoy.
Conclusion
And there you have it. A straightforward, delicious recipe for Christmas Party Appetizers that will have everyone talking. These meatballs are the perfect blend of savory, sweet, and tangy.
They are a wonderful addition to any holiday menu. Whether you need some tasty Christmas Appetizers or just a fun dish for a family dinner, this recipe is a winner. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do.
Happy holidays, and happy cooking. These Xmas Appetizers are sure to be a hit. Enjoy every single bite of these lovely Christmas Party Appetizers.
FAQ
Can I Make These Meatballs Gluten Free?
Yes, you absolutely can. To make these Christmas Party Appetizers gluten free, simply swap the plain bread crumbs for your favorite gluten free bread crumbs. Also, double check that your Worcestershire sauce and BBQ sauce are certified gluten free.
What Is Chili Sauce?
That’s a great question. For this recipe, we are using the savory tomato based chili sauce, often found near the ketchup. It’s not the same as sweet chili sauce or a spicy hot sauce. A common brand is Heinz Chili Sauce. It adds a zesty, tangy flavor.
Can I Prepare These in a Slow Cooker?
Definitely. The slow cooker is a fantastic way to serve these Christmas Party Appetizers. I still recommend baking the meatballs in the oven first to get them nicely browned and to render some of the fat. Then, add the cooked meatballs and all the sauce ingredients to your slow cooker. Cook on low for about 2 to 3 hours.
How Many Meatballs Does This Recipe Make?
This recipe uses two pounds of ground beef. If you make each meatball about one and a half inches in size, you should get approximately 50 to 60 meatballs. It’s plenty for a party, making it one of the best Christmas Appetizers Recipes for a crowd.
Savory Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
These savory cranberry BBQ meatballs are an easy and flavorful appetizer, perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with ground beef and a sweet-tangy cranberry BBQ sauce, they’re a crowd-pleasing dish that can be prepared ahead of time, allowing you to enjoy your party.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced onion, and salt. Mix gently until just combined to prevent tough meatballs.
- Roll meat mixture into 1.5-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, then turn meatballs over and bake for another 10 minutes, or until cooked through.
- In a large skillet, combine BBQ sauce, chili sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Stir over low heat until smooth.
- Add cooked meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Simmer on low for about 1 hour, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
- Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve warm, optionally with toothpicks for easy serving.
Notes
Allow cooled leftovers to be transferred to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to four days for quick meals. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
For parties, transfer meatballs and sauce to a slow cooker after baking; cook on low for 2 to 3 hours to keep them warm. Meatballs can also be baked a day in advance and stored in the fridge, then warmed in the sauce when ready to serve. For a shortcut, use pre-made, frozen meatballs; thaw and cook according to package directions before adding to the sauce.
Feel free to experiment with ground turkey or a mix of ground pork and beef for variation. The fresh parsley garnish adds brightness and a pop of color that really makes a difference.
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute plain bread crumbs with your favorite gluten-free bread crumbs and ensure both Worcestershire and BBQ sauces are certified gluten-free. This recipe uses savory tomato-based chili sauce, not sweet or spicy hot sauce. The recipe yields approximately 50 to 60 meatballs, perfect for serving a crowd.
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