Description
These Cranberry Meatballs are a festive and delicious holiday crowd-pleaser, featuring lean ground pork combined with tart cranberries and a flavorful sauce. Baked to perfection and simmered in a sweet and tangy cranberry glaze, they make a perfect appetizer or party dish that’s both easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound Lean Ground Pork (90-95% lean)
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs (substitute with gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed)
- 1 large Egg (acts as a binder)
- 1 cup Fresh Cranberries or Jelly Cranberry Sauce (choose according to texture preference)
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder (substitute with garlic powder for different taste)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme (substitute with Italian seasoning for variety)
- Salt and Pepper, to taste (essential for seasoning)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar (coconut sugar can be used as alternative)
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce or Worcestershire Sauce (substitute with tamari for gluten-free option)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine lean ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, cranberries or cranberry sauce, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated for a uniform texture.
- Form Meatballs: Using an ice cream scoop, form the mixture into about 32 medium-sized meatballs. The scoop helps to keep the size consistent for even baking.
- Bake Meatballs: Arrange the meatballs on the lined baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 160℉ (71℃), signaling they are fully cooked.
- Prepare Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine the brown sugar and soy sauce (or Worcestershire sauce) in a large skillet. Heat the mixture until it comes to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer to develop the flavors.
- Coat Meatballs in Sauce: Once the meatballs are baked, add them to the skillet with the simmering sauce. Gently stir to coat all meatballs evenly and heat through for a few minutes to absorb the sauce flavors.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh, vibrant touch. Serve the meatballs warm as a festive appetizer or main dish.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh cranberries with jelly cranberry sauce depending on your preferred texture.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste for best results.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure meatballs are cooked through to a safe temperature of 160℉.
- Adding chopped parsley as garnish enhances both flavor and presentation but is optional.
