Cranberry Meatballs
Savory cranberry meatballs are a super easy holiday recipe with a zesty kick.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 699
Ingredients
Meatballs
- ½ pound lean ground beef
- ½ pound lean ground pork
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup dry bread crumbs
- 2 ounces onion soup mix (one package)
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Cranberry Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup shallot minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons fennel seeds crushed
- 1 ½ pounds cranberries fresh or frozen
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
Instructions
Meatballs
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- Combine all meatball ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Do not overmix.
- Measure about 1 ½ Tablespoons for each meatball using a cookie scoop (optional) to make about 12 - 15 meatballs. Roll in into balls and place on prepared baking tray, leaving space between each one.
- Bake meatballs for 18-20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
Cranberry Sauce
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and saute until softened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and fennel seeds and cook 3-5 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add cranberries, brown sugar, water, maple syrup, dijon mustard, and thyme sprig. Cook 5-6 minutes or until simmering and cranberries begin to pop.
- Continue cooking until thickened and reduced, about 10 minutes.
- Remove thyme and add the meatballs to the saucepan, tossing to coat.
Notes
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3 days.
- Cranberry meatballs freeze well for 2-3 months in a zippered freezer bag.
- Thaw meatballs in the refrigerator overnight, and reheat on low in a pot on the stove.
Nutrition
Calories: 699 | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 1389mg | Potassium: 845mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 62g | Vitamin A: 363IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 4mg