Description
Quick Cranberry Meatballs are tender, juicy bites smothered in a sticky, sweet-tart cranberry glaze with a touch of smoky barbecue flavor. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or cozy dinners over mashed potatoes or rice, this recipe is as simple as it is satisfying. Made in one pan with pantry staples and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
24 fully cooked meatballs
1 can (14 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
1 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. If using frozen meatballs, let them thaw slightly for even cooking. If using homemade, make sure they’re fully cooked before adding to the sauce.
2. In a large skillet or saucepan, stir together cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, orange juice, and brown sugar. Mix until smooth and heat over medium heat.
3. Add the meatballs to the sauce and gently stir to coat them evenly. Let the mixture come to a gentle simmer.
4. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for about 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the meatballs.
5. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
Simmer low and slow: Letting the sauce gently reduce without boiling gives it that perfect sticky texture.
Use whole berry cranberry sauce: It adds a chunkier, more interesting texture to the glaze.
Make it ahead: These meatballs reheat beautifully, so prep them in advance for stress-free hosting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 meatballs
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: cranberry meatballs, holiday appetizer, sweet and tangy, one pan recipe