Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs for Festive Gatherings Recipe
Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Featuring pre-cooked meatballs simmered in a tangy and sweet cranberry chili sauce, this recipe is easy to prepare and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 6 servings (based on 3-4 meatballs per serving) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
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
For the Meatballs:
- 1 bag (about 32 oz) frozen pre-cooked meatballs (beef or turkey)
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: In a large skillet or saucepan, combine the jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir over medium heat until the mixture is smooth and heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Add the Meatballs: Stir the frozen meatballs into the sauce, coating them evenly. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet or saucepan, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the meatballs are thoroughly heated.
- Serve: Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a serving bowl or place them in a slow cooker set to the warm setting to keep hot. Optionally garnish with chopped parsley or rosemary before serving.
Notes
- No need to thaw frozen meatballs; add them straight into the sauce.
- If using homemade meatballs, make sure they are pre-cooked before adding to the sauce.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of Dijon mustard or orange juice to the sauce.
- To keep warm during parties, use a slow cooker set to the ‘warm’ setting.
- Leftovers store well and taste even better the next day.
Keywords: Christmas appetizer, cranberry sauce, meatballs, holiday recipe, party food, easy meatballs, quick appetizer
