Description
The holiday season is a time for gathering with loved ones, celebrating traditions, and indulging in delicious, comforting foods. And what better way to kick off the festivities than with a batch of irresistible Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs? This savory-sweet appetizer balances the tangy zing of cranberries with the bright, citrusy notes of orange, creating a harmonious flavor profile that’s sure to delight your guests.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, gently mix together the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, orange juice, garlic, onion, egg, salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough meatballs.
3. Scoop the meat mixture and shape it into 1-inch meatballs, placing them on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
5. While the meatballs are baking, prepare the cranberry orange sauce. In a saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, orange zest, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard. Heat the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it’s warm and the flavors have blended.
6. Once the meatballs are cooked, toss them in the warm cranberry orange sauce, ensuring they’re evenly coated.
7. Serve the Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs warm, either as a festive appetizer or as a main dish accompanied by your favorite sides.
Notes
These Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways to suit your holiday gathering. For a classic appetizer presentation, arrange the meatballs on a large platter, garnished with fresh rosemary, orange slices, and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. You can also serve them on skewers or in small buns for a fun and interactive slider-style dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 80mg