Description
Juicy meatballs coated in a glossy cranberry–BBQ glaze for the ultimate festive appetizer.
Ingredients
- Frozen or homemade meatballs
- Cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied)
- BBQ sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Dijon mustard (optional)
- Orange zest (optional for brightness)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Make the glaze: In a saucepan, heat cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire, garlic powder, and optional Dijon until smooth and glossy.
- Add zest: Stir in orange zest for a festive citrus layer.
- Add meatballs: Place meatballs in the pan or into a slow cooker.
- Coat: Pour the cranberry glaze over and stir to fully coat.
- Simmer: Heat 10–15 minutes on stovetop (or 2–3 hrs on LOW in slow cooker) until meatballs are hot and sauce thickened.
- Finish: Toss gently before serving.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and keep warm for guests.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, consider adding red pepper flakes to the glaze.
- These meatballs can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of cranberry sauce and BBQ sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop or Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 meatballs
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg