Description

Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are a delightful appetizer featuring tender pre-cooked meatballs simmered in a tangy, sweet cranberry and chili sauce. Perfect for holiday parties or gatherings, this recipe is simple to make, requires minimal prep, and bursts with festive flavors that will impress your guests.

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)

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Instructions

Make the Sauce: In a large skillet or saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir over medium heat until the mixture is smooth and heated through, which should take about 5 minutes.
Add the Meatballs: Stir in the frozen meatballs, making sure they’re 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 they are thoroughly heated.
Serve: Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a serving bowl or keep warm in a slow cooker on the ‘warm’ setting. Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley or rosemary for a fresh touch before serving.

Notes

No need to thaw frozen meatballs; add them directly to the sauce.
If using homemade meatballs, pre-cook them before adding to the sauce.
Add Dijon mustard or a splash of orange juice to the sauce for extra flavor complexity.
To keep meatballs warm during parties, use a slow cooker set on the ‘warm’ setting.
Leftover meatballs store well and taste even better the following day as flavors meld.