Description
These Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are tender, juicy, and coated in a sweet and savory cranberry sauce that’s perfect for holiday entertaining. Made with frozen meatballs and a simple stovetop sauce, they’re an easy, crowd-friendly appetizer for Christmas parties, potlucks, and festive buffets.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8–10 appetizer servings
Calories: ~300 kcal per serving (estimate)
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
1 can (14 oz) jellied cranberry sauce
1 bottle (12 oz) chili sauce
¼ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 bag (about 32 oz) frozen pre-cooked meatballs (beef or turkey)
Instructions
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In a large skillet or saucepan set over medium heat, combine the jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir continuously as the mixture heats until the cranberry sauce fully melts and the sauce becomes smooth and heated through, about 5 minutes.
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Add the frozen pre-cooked meatballs to the pan and stir gently until they are evenly coated with the sauce.
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Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are fully heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
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Transfer the meatballs to a serving bowl or a slow cooker set to warm. Garnish with chopped parsley or rosemary if desired before serving.
Notes
Stir the sauce regularly while heating to prevent sticking or scorching. Keeping the meatballs warm in a slow cooker makes them ideal for parties and potlucks. These meatballs can be made ahead of time and reheated gently before serving.
Nutrition (Estimated per serving):
Calories: 280–320 kcal | Protein: 12–15 g | Carbohydrates: 30–35 g | Fat: 12–15 g