Description
Festive Cranberry-Orange Glazed Meatballs bring holiday cheer to dinner tables with their tangy, sweet glaze and rich, savory flavor. Guests will savor each bite of these crowd-pleasing appetizers that blend traditional comfort with seasonal elegance.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Binding and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 large orange zest
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup finely chopped onion
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Sauce:
- 1 can (14 ounces) jellied cranberry sauce
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a light grease coating.
- Thoroughly blend ground beef, orange zest, breadcrumbs, milk, finely diced onion, egg, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a spacious mixing bowl until ingredients are uniformly distributed.
- Craft uniform meatballs approximately 1-inch in diameter using hands or a precise scoop, positioning them evenly across the baking sheet to guarantee consistent heat circulation.
- Roast the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until they achieve a complete internal cook and develop a delicate golden-brown exterior.
- Simultaneously, craft the cranberry-orange glaze by melting jellied cranberry sauce and barbecue sauce together in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring consistently until the mixture transforms into a smooth, unified sauce.
- After removing meatballs from the oven, gently immerse them into the prepared cranberry-orange sauce, carefully rotating to ensure each morsel receives an even, glossy coating.
- Present the glazed meatballs on a decorative serving platter, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, aromatic finishing touch. Serve while warm for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Master this make-ahead friendly recipe by preparing meatballs and sauce in advance, storing separately in refrigerator for convenient meal prep.
- Versatile dish works perfectly as appetizer, party snack, or main course with rice or pasta accompaniment.
- Fresh orange zest delivers bright citrus undertones, elevating traditional meatball flavor profile with unexpected brightness.
- Jellied cranberry sauce creates glossy, rich glaze that caramelizes beautifully when heated, providing stunning visual and taste appeal.
- Ground beef mixture requires gentle mixing to prevent dense, tough meatballs; use light hand when combining ingredients.
- Instant-read meat thermometer recommended to ensure meatballs reach safe internal temperature of 160°F without overcooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg