Cranberry BBQ Meatballs with Sweet-Tart Sauce
By Miles Carr
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
Servings
24
Level
Easy
These cranberry BBQ meatballs can be made in 30 minutes on the stove with precooked meatballs and a sauce made from three ingredients. I make these meatballs as an appetizer because cranberry sauce in a gel form is convenient for topping meatballs with a sweeter, more tart taste without adding whole cranberries.
Frozen cooked meatballs are a convenient alternative and a good choice when no other meatballs are available. Fresh meatballs can be prepared by gently mixing beef and shaping 1-inch balls for baking until browned and cooked through. Fresh meatballs can also be pan-fried in a small amount of oil until browned on all sides. I don't overmix fresh meatballs to keep them tender when cooking with sauce.
I prepare this recipe on the stovetop if I want to serve it warm. Cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring, until the cranberry sauce is fully melted and the sauce is hot and bubbly. You can use chili sauce instead of orange juice for added spice. Other ingredients you can use for added spice are sriracha sauce and red pepper flakes. You can add additional chili sauce.
Serve toothpicks with this dish as an appetizer. Add as a topping to mashed potatoes for dinner. Other serving suggestions include serving with rice or egg noodles. Extras can be used as toppings on meatball subs.
Why you'll love this recipe
- 1Dinner can be cooked in 30 minutes on the stove with frozen cooked meatballs.
- 2The sauce recipe lists three ingredients with exact measurements. Jellied cranberry sauce does not have pieces of whole cranberries and will liquefy when served.
- 3The slow cooker is a good option for serving at a party. The oven is a good option if you want to bake the entire casserole dish and serve it earlier.
- 4Frozen meatballs are handy. Homemade beef meatballs can be cooked in the same sauce.
- 5One serving can be used as an appetizer with toothpicks or as part of a meal with a hot, starchy side dish.
- 6Add chili sauce or sriracha for more heat. Red pepper flakes can also add heat. Liquid smoke or chipotle barbecue sauce can add a smoky flavor.
Ingredients
- •14 oz jellied cranberry sauce (smooth, jellied kind)
- •1 cup BBQ sauce (use your favorite flavor)
- •¼ cup orange juice
- •2 lb frozen cooked meatballs (about 48 small meatballs, or use homemade meatballs)
- •2 lb ground beef (80/20, for homemade meatballs)
- •½ cup panko breadcrumbs (for homemade meatballs)
- •1 large egg (for homemade meatballs)
- •¼ cup minced onion (for homemade meatballs)
- •1 tsp garlic powder (for homemade meatballs)
- •salt (for homemade meatballs)
- •black pepper (for homemade meatballs)
- •oil (a little, optional for pan-frying homemade meatballs)
- •chili sauce (optional, use in place of orange juice for more heat)
- •1 tsp sriracha (optional)
- •red pepper flakes (optional, a pinch)
- •liquid smoke (optional, a dash)
- •1 tbsp chili garlic sauce (optional)
- •turkey meatballs (optional alternative)
- •chicken meatballs (optional alternative)
- •plant-based meatballs (optional alternative)
Instructions
- 1
If making homemade meatballs, gently combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, egg, minced onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- 2
Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- 3
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Or pan-fry the meatballs in a little oil until browned on all sides.
- 4
Whisk the jellied cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, and orange juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the cranberry sauce melts and the sauce is smooth and bubbly.
- 5
For the slow cooker method, add the cooked homemade meatballs or frozen meatballs to the slow cooker, pour over the sauce, and stir to coat.
- 6
Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- 7
For the stovetop method, add the meatballs and sauce to a large pot or Dutch oven and stir to coat.
- 8
Simmer over medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring gently, until the meatballs are heated through and have absorbed the sauce.
- 9
For the oven method, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), place the meatballs in a 9×13 inch baking dish, and coat them with the sauce.
- 10
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the meatballs are hot.
FAQ
Nutrition (per serving)
150
Calories
Reviews
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