Gather your friends and family for a festive and flavorful feast with these Holiday Cranberry BBQ Meatball Sliders. These juicy, smoky meatballs nestled in soft, pillowy brioche buns will become the star of your holiday spread. Infused with the bold taste of cranberries, these sliders offer the perfect balance of sweet and savory, guaranteed to delight your taste buds and warm your soul.
Why You’ll Love This Holiday Cranberry BBQ Meatball Sliders
These meatball sliders are the ultimate comfort food with a seasonal twist. The cranberry-infused BBQ sauce adds a delightful zestiness that cuts through the rich, velvety meatballs, creating a harmonious flavor profile. The crispy, golden exterior of the meatballs contrasts beautifully with the soft, pillowy brioche buns, resulting in a truly satisfying and indulgent bite. This recipe is a crowd-pleasing, festive dish that will have your guests raving and coming back for more.
Ingredients
This recipe calls for a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients that come together to create an epic holiday feast. You’ll need ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper for the meatballs, and cranberry preserves, barbecue sauce, and brioche buns for the assembly.
- 1 lb – Ground beef
- 1/2 cup – Breadcrumbs
- 2 – Eggs
- 3 cloves – Garlic, minced
- 1/2 onion – Finely chopped
- 1 tsp – Salt
- 1/2 tsp – Black pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground Beef: Ground turkey or plant-based meat substitute (for a leaner or vegetarian option)
- Brioche Buns: Hawaiian rolls or any other soft, pillowy bun (for gluten-free or dietary needs)
How to Make Holiday Cranberry BBQ Meatball Sliders
This recipe is easy to follow and delivers impressive results. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Prep Work
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. Mix until the ingredients are well incorporated.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, form the beef mixture into uniform, bite-sized meatballs. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced apart. Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes, until they are cooked through and develop a crispy, golden exterior.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the cranberry BBQ sauce by combining 1 cup of cranberry preserves and 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce in a small saucepan. Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s heated through and well combined.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to a serving platter and generously drizzle the cranberry BBQ sauce over the top. Serve the meatballs on the brioche buns, allowing your guests to assemble their own sliders.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Spicy Twist: Add a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the cranberry BBQ sauce for a touch of heat.
- Preserve Variations: Experiment with different types of preserves, such as raspberry or apricot, to create unique flavor combinations.
- Festive Topping: Top the sliders with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream for a festive touch.
- Slow Cooker Option: For a hands-off approach, keep the cooked meatballs warm in a slow cooker set to the “warm” setting during your event.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: these meatball sliders make a fantastic main course or appetizer, perfect for holiday gatherings, game-day celebrations, or cozy winter nights.
Storage: any leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and reheated in the oven or microwave before serving. You can also freeze the leftover meatballs for up to 3 months.
Reheat: to reheat the meatballs, place them in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
Make-Ahead: you can prepare the meatballs in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking, which will save you time on the day of your event.
Nutrition Information
These Holiday Cranberry BBQ Meatball Sliders are a hearty and satisfying dish, providing a good source of protein from the ground beef. Each slider contains approximately 200 calories, with 10 grams of fat, 18 grams of carbohydrates, and 12 grams of protein, making them a well-balanced and delicious option for your holiday feast.
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Protein: 12 g
- Carbs: 18 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meatballs in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking. This will save you time on the day of your event.
Can I use frozen meatballs instead of making them from scratch?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, you can use pre-made frozen meatballs and simply toss them in the cranberry BBQ sauce before serving.
Can I make these sliders gluten-free?
To make these sliders gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs in the meatball mixture and serve them on gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps.
How can I keep the meatballs warm during the party?
If you want to keep the meatballs warm throughout your event, you can place them in a slow cooker or chafing dish set to the “warm” setting.
Can I freeze the leftover meatballs?
Yes, you can freeze the leftover meatballs for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before reheating and serving.
Try These Next
- holiday herb butter turkey sliders with cranberry sauce
- smoky maple bbq turkey sliders with cranberry sauce
- applewood smoked bbq meatball sliders with tangy sauce
Holiday Cranberry BBQ Meatball Sliders
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: 🎉 Festive & Seasonal Feasts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Holiday Cranberry BBQ Meatball Sliders are a festive treat that combines sweet and tangy flavors, perfect for holiday gatherings. Juicy meatballs are coated in a delicious cranberry BBQ sauce and served on slider buns.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup cranberry sauce
1 cup BBQ sauce
12 slider buns
Optional: sliced cheese and pickles for topping
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
3. Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet.
4. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
5. While the meatballs are baking, mix the cranberry sauce and BBQ sauce in a saucepan over low heat until warmed through.
6. Once the meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and toss them in the cranberry BBQ sauce to coat.
7. Assemble the sliders by placing a meatball on each slider bun. Add cheese and pickles if desired.
8. Serve warm and enjoy your festive sliders!
Notes
These sliders are great for parties and can be made ahead of time. Simply warm the meatballs in the sauce before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: meatballs, sliders, cranberry, BBQ, holiday