The holidays are all about bringing people together over delicious, comforting food. These Cranberry Orange Glazed Meatballs are the perfect appetizer or party dish to serve at your next festive gathering. Made with a zesty cranberry orange glaze and juicy meatballs, this recipe is guaranteed to impress your guests and have them coming back for more.
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Orange Glazed Meatballs for Holiday Parties
These Cranberry Orange Glazed Meatballs are the ultimate holiday party food – they’re cozy, craveable, and bursting with bright, festive flavors. The tangy-sweet cranberry orange glaze perfectly complements the juicy, flavorful meatballs, creating a delicious balance that will have your guests swooning. Plus, they’re easy to assemble and can be made ahead of time, making them the perfect stress-free, crowd-pleasing appetizer for any holiday celebration.
Ingredients
The ingredient list for these Cranberry Orange Glazed Meatballs is short and simple, with a few key players that pack a punch of flavor. You’ll need ground beef or turkey, panko breadcrumbs, eggs, fresh parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper to make the meatballs. For the glaze, you’ll combine cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, and a few warm spices.
- 1 lb – Ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup – Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 – Eggs
- 1/4 cup – Fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 cloves – Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp – Salt
- 1/2 tsp – Black pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cranberries: If you can’t find fresh cranberries, you can use canned or jarred cranberry sauce instead.
- Orange Juice: For a non-alcoholic version, swap the orange juice for freshly squeezed orange segments or a splash of orange zest.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Glazed Meatballs for Holiday Parties
Begin by preheating your oven and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, panko, eggs, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to gently mix the ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Step 1: Prep Work
Roll the mixture into small, equal-sized meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake the meatballs until they’re cooked through and slightly browned, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
While the meatballs are baking, make the cranberry orange glaze. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon and cloves. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the glaze has thickened slightly.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the saucepan with the cranberry orange glaze and toss gently to coat. Serve the Cranberry Orange Glazed Meatballs warm, garnished with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of orange zest, if desired.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the saucepan with the cranberry orange glaze and toss gently to coat. Serve the Cranberry Orange Glazed Meatballs warm, garnished with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of orange zest, if desired.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Spice it up: For a spicy twist, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the glaze.
- Herb it up: You can also experiment with different herbs, such as fresh thyme or rosemary, in the meatball mixture.
- Festive Presentation: To make this recipe even more festive, serve the meatballs on skewers or in mini phyllo cups.
- Leftover Glaze: If you have any leftover glaze, it can be used as a dipping sauce or served alongside the meatballs.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: These Cranberry Orange Glazed Meatballs make a fantastic appetizer for holiday parties or can be served as a main dish with a side of roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.
Storage: Any leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Leftover meatballs can be reheated gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Make-Ahead: The meatballs can be prepared and baked up to 3 days in advance. Simply store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to toss them in the glaze and serve.
Nutrition Information
These Cranberry Orange Glazed Meatballs are a cozy, indulgent treat, but they can also be a part of a balanced, satisfying meal. Each serving (about 3-4 meatballs) contains approximately 250 calories, 12g of fat, 21g of protein, and 14g of carbohydrates, making them a hearty and nourishing option for your holiday spread.
- Serving Size: 3-4 meatballs
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Protein: 21 g
- Carbs: 14 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Absolutely! The meatballs can be prepared and baked up to 3 days in advance. Simply store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to toss them in the glaze and serve.
Can I use frozen meatballs?
Yes, you can use frozen pre-made meatballs for this recipe. Just be sure to follow the package instructions for cooking them before tossing them in the cranberry orange glaze.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
To make this recipe vegetarian or vegan, you can substitute the ground meat with plant-based meatballs or crumbled tofu. Adjust the cooking time as needed, and use a vegan-friendly cranberry sauce and orange juice.
How can I make this recipe spicy?
For a spicy twist, add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the cranberry orange glaze. You can also mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the meatball mixture.
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of cranberry sauce?
Absolutely! If you can find fresh cranberries, you can use them to make your own cranberry sauce for the glaze. Simply simmer the fresh cranberries with orange juice, brown sugar, and your desired spices until thickened.
Try These Next
- Cranberry Jalapeno Cheese Bites For Holiday Gatherings
- Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Brownies For Friendsgiving
- Stuffed Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins For Holiday Parties
Cranberry Orange Glazed Meatballs for Holiday Parties
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 20 meatballs 1x
- Category: 🎉 Festive & Seasonal Feasts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cranberry Orange Glazed Meatballs are the perfect festive appetizer for your holiday gatherings. Juicy meatballs are coated in a sweet and tangy cranberry-orange glaze that will delight your guests.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup cranberry sauce
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
3. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and browned.
5. While the meatballs are baking, prepare the glaze by combining cranberry sauce, orange juice, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and ground ginger in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.
6. Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the saucepan with the glaze and stir to coat them evenly.
7. Serve the glazed meatballs warm, garnished with extra parsley if desired.
Notes
These meatballs can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving. They also make a great addition to holiday potlucks!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: meatballs, cranberry, orange, appetizer, holiday