Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs: A Sweet and Savory Holiday Staple

When the holidays roll around, your kitchen becomes more than just a place to cook—it transforms into the heart of celebration, comfort, and connection. And while everyone loves a roasted turkey or glazed ham, it’s often the unexpected dishes—the ones served warm from a slow cooker or passed around at gatherings—that leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking to create one of those unforgettable holiday moments, Christmas cranberry meatballs are your answer.

These meatballs are the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and savory. They bring the cozy warmth of a home-cooked meal and the festive flair of holiday ingredients, all while being ridiculously easy to make. Whether you’re prepping for a holiday potluck, a family feast, or simply want a dish to snack on during your favorite Christmas movie marathon, this recipe is a winner.

Why Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Deserve a Spot on Your Holiday Menu

You’ve probably been to those holiday parties where the food felt like an afterthought. Dry crackers, predictable cheese cubes, and maybe a sad veggie tray. But when you serve these cranberry meatballs, you instantly upgrade the entire vibe.

Why? Because they check every box:

• Balanced Flavor: You get the sweetness of cranberry sauce, the depth of savory meat, and the brightness of a zingy sauce all in one bite.
• Easy to Make: With minimal prep and simple ingredients, you’ll look like a holiday hero without breaking a sweat.
• Prep-Friendly: You can make them ahead of time and reheat, which makes entertaining less stressful.
• Versatile Serving: Serve them as an appetizer with toothpicks or make them the centerpiece of a cozy meal over mashed potatoes or rice.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Festive Success

For the Meatballs:

• 1 lb ground meat (beef, pork, turkey, or chicken — choose your favorite)
• ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko gives a nice texture)
• 1 egg
• ½ cup finely chopped onion (optional, but adds flavor depth)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Cranberry Sauce:

• 1 can cranberry sauce (jellied or whole berry—either works)
• 1 cup chili sauce or ketchup
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Optional twist: Add a splash of orange juice for a bright, citrusy layer that really complements the cranberry.

How to Make the Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

You won’t need any fancy tools or complicated steps. Just a bowl, a baking sheet, and a saucepan. Here’s the breakdown:

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Starting with a hot oven ensures even cooking and nicely browned meatballs.

Step 2: Mix the Meatball Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine your ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Use your hands for mixing—it’s the best way to ensure the ingredients come together without overworking the meat.

Step 3: Shape and Bake

Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. A cookie scoop helps you keep them uniform, which means even cooking.

Place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce

While the meatballs are baking, grab a medium saucepan and combine:

• Cranberry sauce
• Chili sauce or ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Worcestershire sauce

Heat over medium, stirring until the mixture is smooth and starts to bubble.

Step 5: Simmer the Meatballs

Once the meatballs are out of the oven, add them to the saucepan and simmer for 5–10 minutes. This step helps them soak up the sauce and take on that irresistible sweet-savory flavor.

Step 6: Serve

You can serve them straight from the pan or transfer them to a slow cooker to keep warm throughout your party. Garnish with chopped parsley for a festive touch.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving, ~4 Meatballs)

• Serving Size: ~4 meatballs
• Calories: 290 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg

If you’re looking to lighten things up, opt for ground turkey or chicken. You’ll still get plenty of flavor while trimming down the fat content.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even simple recipes can go sideways if you skip a few key steps. Keep these in mind:

• Not Preheating the Oven: Cold ovens lead to uneven cooking and soggy texture.
• Overmixing the Meat: Doing this makes your meatballs tough. Mix just until everything is combined.
• Crowding the Pan: Leave space between each meatball on the baking sheet so they roast instead of steam.
• Skipping a Taste Test: Cranberry sauces vary in sweetness, so taste the sauce and adjust before adding the meatballs.
• Neglecting the Garnish: A little parsley goes a long way in making the dish feel polished and festive.

Ingredient Substitutions and Festive Twists

Don’t worry if you’re missing a few ingredients or want to switch things up. These meatballs are incredibly forgiving.

• No Cranberry Sauce? Use grape jelly or apricot preserves.
• Want It Spicier? Add sriracha, red pepper flakes, or hot honey to the sauce.
• Out of Breadcrumbs? Try oats, crushed crackers, or even almond meal.
• Need an Extra Kick? A splash of balsamic vinegar or orange juice enhances the tang.

Feel free to experiment—it’s your kitchen and your celebration.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

One of the best things about this recipe is how well it fits into your busy holiday schedule.

• Make Ahead: Cook the meatballs a day or two in advance. Store them in the fridge and reheat in the sauce.
• Freezer Friendly: Freeze cooked meatballs (without the sauce) in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll last up to 2 months.
• Reheating: Warm them on the stove or in a slow cooker with the sauce until heated through.
• Slow Cooker Option: Want to keep them warm during a party? After baking, place them in a slow cooker with the sauce and set to low for 2–3 hours.

FAQ About Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

Conclusion

Christmas cranberry meatballs are more than just a dish—they’re a tradition waiting to happen. From the moment the aroma starts wafting through your kitchen to the last bite at your holiday gathering, these meatballs create memories. They’re festive, full of flavor, and easy to make—even if you’re juggling gift wrapping, guests, and a packed calendar.

So go ahead and make a batch this season. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or add your own twist, these meatballs will quickly become part of your holiday staples. Share them at your next gathering, save a few for a cozy night in, or double the batch just because. Once you see how quickly they disappear, you’ll be glad you did.

More Tasty Ideas

• Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs: This recipe delivers the same cozy holiday flavor with a slow-cooked twist. The meatballs soak up a rich cranberry-based sauce, making them tender and perfect for stress-free entertaining during the holiday rush.
• Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls: Offering a festive flavor combo of sweet cranberries and crunchy pecans, these cheese balls make the ideal appetizer alongside cranberry meatballs, continuing the sweet-savory theme that holiday guests love.
• Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs: Sweet, garlicky, and richly glazed, this dish shares the same flavor profile as cranberry meatballs and works wonderfully as a hearty main course to round out your festive menu.

Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

Print Recipe

These Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are sweet, savory, and tangy bite-sized appetizers perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with ground meat and simmered in a festive cranberry-chili sauce, they’re easy to prep, cook, and serve to a hungry crowd.

• Author: Benchi
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 28 minutes
• Total Time: 43 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 20 meatballs
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Bake and Simmer
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground meat (beef, pork, turkey, or chicken)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 can cranberry sauce
• 1 cup chili sauce or ketchup
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until just combined.
3. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a lined baking sheet.
4. Bake the meatballs for 18 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
5. Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until smooth and bubbly.
6. Add the baked meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

• Use turkey for a lighter version of the meatballs.
• Grape jelly or apricot preserves can substitute cranberry sauce.
• A splash of orange juice adds a festive citrus twist to the sauce.
• Do not overmix the meat mixture to avoid tough meatballs.