Honey BBQ Cranberry Meatballs Recipe Best Festive Appetizer
Tender meatballs coated in a sticky-sweet glaze with a tangy cranberry twist, perfect for holiday gatherings or any festive occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-5 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef
- 1/2 cup (60g) breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup (120ml) BBQ sauce
- 1/3 cup (80ml) cranberry sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) honey
- Chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch (2.5cm) balls and place them on a greased baking sheet. You should get about 20-25 meatballs.
- Bake the meatballs for 15-18 minutes, or until they’re cooked through and lightly browned.
- In a large skillet, combine BBQ sauce, cranberry sauce, and honey. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the glaze is smooth and bubbly.
- Add the cooked meatballs to the skillet and toss until they’re fully coated in the glaze. Let them simmer for 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavor.
- Transfer the glazed meatballs to a serving platter and garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.
Notes
[‘Don’t overmix the meat mixture to avoid tough meatballs.’, ‘Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized meatballs.’, ‘Check the meatballs at the 15-minute mark to avoid overbaking.’, ‘Prep the meatballs and glaze separately up to a day in advance for convenience.’, ‘Double the glaze if serving with rice or noodles.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-5 meatballs
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Protein: 12
Keywords: Honey BBQ Cranberry Meatballs, holiday appetizer, festive meatballs, cranberry glaze, party food, easy meatball recipe