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Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs That Will Steal the Holiday Show

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Learn how to make delicious Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
  • 1/2 pound ground pork (adds tenderness, but ground turkey works too)
  • 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs (or panko crumbs as a substitute)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (optional, but it adds a nice warmth)
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar (can reduce for less sweetness)
  • 1/2 cup orange juice (fresh-squeezed is best)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef and pork, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, garlic, egg, milk, thyme, salt, pepper, and allspice. Mix gently with your hands or a wooden spoon until just combined—overmixing can make the meatballs tough.
  3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spaced evenly apart.
  4. Bake the meatballs for 18-20 minutes, turning once halfway through, until browned and cooked through. You want the internal temperature to reach 160°F for safety and juiciness.
  5. While the meatballs bake, prepare the cranberry sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, brown sugar, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, and cinnamon. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
  6. Let the sauce cook for about 10-12 minutes, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens to a jammy consistency. Remove from heat and set aside.
  7. Once the meatballs are out of the oven, gently toss them in the warm cranberry sauce until fully coated. The sauce should cling beautifully to each meatball, giving them a glossy, festive finish.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh thyme or chopped parsley if you like.

Find it online: https://claracooking.com/best-christmas-cranberry-meatballs/