Dinner

Christmas Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

ByRita Bennet November 10, 2025November 10, 2025

Introduction

These Christmas Meatballs are a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for the holiday season. Combining savory beef with tangy cranberry sauce, they bring a delightful mix of sweet and savory to your party spread. Quick to prepare and easy to serve, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

The image shows a white rectangular dish filled with about twelve round meatballs covered in a thick, dark red sauce. The meatballs have a textured brown surface with some green herbs visible inside. A metal spoon rests in the dish, partially lifting one meatball from the sauce, which looks glossy and rich. The dish is placed on a beige patterned cloth napkin over a wooden surface, with a white marbled texture background visible in the frame. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 envelope onion soup mix

1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)

For the sauce:
1 can (14 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce
3/4 cup ketchup

1/2 cup beef broth
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion

2 teaspoons cider vinegar

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the eggs, onion soup mix, bread crumbs, dried cranberries, and minced parsley. Add the ground beef and mix lightly but thoroughly to evenly distribute the ingredients.
Step 2: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place a third of them on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with waxed paper and microwave on high until cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels and repeat with the remaining meatballs in batches.

Step 3: In a 2-quart microwave-safe dish, combine the cranberry sauce, ketchup, beef broth, brown sugar, chopped onion, and cider vinegar. Microwave covered on high until heated through, about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Step 4: Gently stir the cooked meatballs into the sauce. Microwave covered on high for another 1 to 2 minutes until heated through. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

For a richer flavor, try substituting ground turkey or a mix of beef and pork.

Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the sauce for extra holiday warmth.
These meatballs can also be baked in the oven at 375°F for 15–20 minutes instead of microwaving.
Serve with toothpicks for easy party appetizers.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. These meatballs can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with around twelve shiny meatballs covered in a rich red sauce. The meatballs have a slightly textured surface, and some green herb bits are visible inside them. A silver spoon rests in the dish scooping two meatballs. Next to the dish, on a small white round plate, there are two meatballs each held together by a small wooden skewer, also covered in the same red sauce. The dish and plate are placed on a beige woven cloth on a wooden patterned surface, changed in the description to a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can shape the meatballs a day ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Cook them just before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Is it possible to make this recipe without a microwave?

Absolutely! Bake the meatballs in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 15–20 minutes until cooked through. Warm the sauce on the stovetop, then combine and heat the meatballs in the sauce before serving.