Description
Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are a festive and easy holiday appetizer featuring tender pre-cooked meatballs simmered in a tangy-sweet cranberry chili sauce. Perfect for parties and holiday gatherings, this recipe requires minimal prep and delivers big flavor.
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 the mixture over medium heat until it becomes smooth and is heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Add the Meatballs: Stir in the frozen pre-cooked meatballs, ensuring they are evenly coated with the sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and let the meatballs simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until fully heated through.
- Serve: Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a serving bowl or keep warm in a slow cooker set on the “warm” setting. Garnish with chopped parsley or rosemary if desired for a festive touch.
Notes
- No need to thaw frozen meatballs—add them straight into the sauce.
- For homemade meatballs, pre-cook before adding to the sauce.
- Add Dijon mustard or orange juice to the sauce for an extra flavor boost.
- Use a slow cooker on the “warm” setting to keep meatballs warm for parties.
- Leftovers store well and taste even better the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs with sauce (approx. 150g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
