Go Back
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey - 1 cup breadcrumbs - 1 cup cranberry sauce (preferably whole berry) - 1/4 cup finely chopped onion - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 tablespoon soy sauce - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Preparing Minute Cranberry Meatballs is simple and fun. The main ingredients are ground beef or turkey, breadcrumbs, and cranberry sauce. I like to use whole berry cranberry sauce for a nice texture. The meat provides protein, while the sauce adds sweetness. Next, we enhance the flavor. Finely chopped onion gives a nice crunch. Fresh parsley brings color and a fresh taste. Garlic powder adds depth to the flavor. Each of these helps make the meatballs tasty. Now, let’s add some condiments and seasonings. Soy sauce gives umami, while Dijon mustard adds a bit of heat. Worcestershire sauce rounds out the flavors and makes everything richer. These ingredients work together to create a delicious sauce for the meatballs. With these ingredients, you will have a great start to making Minute Cranberry Meatballs! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, you need a large mixing bowl. Combine 1 pound of ground beef or turkey with 1 cup of breadcrumbs. Add 1/4 cup of finely chopped onion and 1/4 cup of fresh parsley. Next, crack in 1 large egg, then sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix everything together until just combined. Now, shape this mixture into small meatballs. Aim for about 1 inch in diameter. You should end up with around 20 meatballs. Next, grab a non-stick skillet and heat it over medium heat. Place the meatballs in a single layer. Cook them for about 5 minutes, turning them occasionally. You want them browned on all sides to get that nice crust. While the meatballs cook, take a small bowl and mix 1 cup of cranberry sauce, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. This will be your tasty sauce. Once the meatballs are browned, pour the cranberry sauce mixture into the skillet over them. Stir gently to coat all the meatballs well in the sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the meatballs simmer for about 10 minutes. This allows all those great flavors to meld together. After 10 minutes, remove the lid and let them simmer for another 5 minutes. This helps thicken the sauce slightly. Stir occasionally to keep everything mixed well. Once done, you can choose to discard any excess sauce or leave it in the skillet for serving. You can save time by using frozen meatballs. They cook fast and still taste good. Just heat them in a skillet or oven. If you choose the skillet, brown them for about 5 minutes. The oven works too; bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes. Both methods work well. To make these meatballs even tastier, try adding spices. A pinch of cayenne can add heat. If you love Italian flavors, try dried oregano or basil. Fresh herbs also work great. Adding chopped thyme or rosemary can really lift the dish. When serving, use a nice platter. Drizzle the cranberry sauce over the meatballs for a beautiful look. Fresh cranberries make a great garnish. You can also sprinkle chopped parsley for color. Use toothpicks for easy serving; guests love them. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh parsley and high-quality ground meat to enhance the flavor of your meatballs. Experiment with Seasonings: Feel free to add additional spices such as crushed red pepper or Italian seasoning to customize the taste to your liking. Make Ahead: Prepare the meatballs in advance and store them in the fridge or freezer. You can cook them fresh when needed! Garnish for Presentation: Adding fresh cranberries and parsley not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds a burst of freshness to each bite. {{image_2}} You can switch up the meat in this recipe. Try using ground chicken or turkey instead of beef. For a plant-based option, consider using lentils or chickpeas. These choices still give you great flavor. You can also use gluten-free breadcrumbs if you need a gluten-free meal. This keeps everyone happy at the table. Feel free to get creative with your sauces. Instead of cranberry sauce, you can use barbecue or teriyaki sauce for a different taste. You can also add some chopped fruit or dried cranberries to the sauce. This gives your dish a sweet twist and adds more texture. You can serve these meatballs in many ways. They make a great meatball sub sandwich. Just place them in a soft roll and add some cheese. For a fun appetizer platter, serve them with toothpicks. This makes them easy to grab and is perfect for parties. Store leftover Minute Cranberry Meatballs in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh and tasty. Place them in the fridge within two hours of cooking. They stay good for up to three days. If you want to enjoy them later, make sure they cool down first. This helps prevent moisture buildup. To freeze meatballs, first, let them cool completely. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour. This keeps them from sticking together. After that, transfer the meatballs to a freezer-safe bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. They can stay in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to use them, just take out what you need. Reheat your meatballs on the stove for the best taste. Place them in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to keep them moist. Cover the pan and cook until heated through. This usually takes about 10 minutes. You can also use the microwave for quick reheating. Place the meatballs in a microwave-safe dish and cover. Heat in short bursts until warm, stirring in between. It takes about 30 minutes to make these meatballs. You spend 10 minutes preparing the ingredients. Cooking them takes another 20 minutes. This quick time makes it a great option for busy days. Yes, you can use homemade cranberry sauce! Making your own sauce allows for fresh flavors. You can control the sweetness and tartness too. To make it, simply cook fresh cranberries with sugar and water until they burst. This adds a personal touch to your dish. These meatballs pair well with many sides. Here are some suggestions: - Rice or quinoa for a hearty base - Mashed potatoes for creaminess - Green beans for crunch and color - A fresh salad for a light option - Toothpicks for easy serving at parties This blog post outlined how to make delicious cranberry meatballs. We covered the key ingredients needed, like ground meat and cranberry sauce. You learned step-by-step instructions for mixing, cooking, and allowing flavors to blend. Finally, I shared tips for cooking and serving your meatballs. You can even get creative with flavors and variations. Enjoy your cooking and impress your family and friends with these easy-to-make meatballs.

Minute Cranberry Meatballs

Delicious meatballs made with ground beef or turkey, combined with a sweet and tangy cranberry sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 0.25 cup finely chopped onion
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup cranberry sauce (preferably whole berry)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • to taste Fresh cranberries for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or turkey), breadcrumbs, chopped onion, parsley, egg, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined.
  • Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. You should have around 20 meatballs.
  • Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally until they are browned on all sides.
  • While the meatballs are cooking, in a small bowl, mix together the cranberry sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Once the meatballs are browned, pour the cranberry sauce mixture over them in the skillet.
  • Stir gently to coat the meatballs in the sauce, then cover the skillet and reduce heat to low. Let simmer for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Remove the lid and let simmer for another 5 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly, stirring occasionally.
  • Once cooked through, discard any excess sauce if desired, or leave it in the skillet for serving.

Notes

Serve the meatballs on a platter drizzled with the cranberry sauce and garnish with fresh cranberries and parsley for a festive touch. Pair with toothpicks for easy serving!
Keyword appetizer, cranberry, easy recipe, meatballs