Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Recipe
These Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are a festive, flavorful appetizer perfect for holiday parties and gatherings. Combining pre-cooked turkey meatballs with a tangy and sweet sauce made from chili sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, orange juice, and brown sugar, this dish delivers a delightful balance of savory and fruity tastes. Garnished with optional chopped parsley, these meatballs are easy to prepare and sure to be a holiday hit.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1.5 to 3 hours (depending on method)
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes to 3 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 30 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 2 lb bag frozen pre-cooked turkey meatballs
Sauce
- 1 12 ounce bottle chili sauce
- 1 14 ounce can jellied cranberry sauce
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Garnish (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: Begin by placing the frozen pre-cooked turkey meatballs in a slow cooker or saucepan. There is no need to thaw them beforehand, which makes this recipe quick and convenient.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the chili sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, orange juice, and brown sugar. Stir well until the brown sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs in the slow cooker or saucepan, stirring gently to coat all meatballs evenly with the sauce. If using a slow cooker, cover and cook on low heat for 2 to 3 hours or on high for 1 to 1.5 hours. If cooking on the stovetop, simmer gently over low heat, stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes until heated through and flavors meld together.
- Serve: Once cooked and heated through, transfer the meatballs to a serving dish. If desired, sprinkle with chopped parsley for a fresh, colorful garnish. Serve warm as a delicious appetizer or side dish during your holiday celebration.
Notes
- For a healthier option, choose turkey meatballs as recommended, which generally have less fat than beef.
- You can prepare this dish in a slow cooker for ease and hands-off cooking, or on the stovetop if you need it done faster.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar to suit your taste.
- If you prefer a more intense orange flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of orange zest to the sauce mixture.
- These meatballs can be kept warm in a slow cooker for up to 2 hours before serving.
Keywords: Christmas appetizer, cranberry meatballs, holiday party food, turkey meatballs, sweet and tangy meatballs
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