Description
Bright and surprising beef meatballs with tart cranberries in a glossy holiday glaze, perfect for any festive gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 800 g (1.75 lb) ground beef (80/20)
- 100 g (1 cup) plain breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg (50 g)
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) whole milk
- 1/2 medium onion (about 75 g), finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic (6 g), minced
- 10 g (2 tsp) salt
- 1/2 tsp (1 g) black pepper
- 15 g (1/4 cup) fresh parsley, chopped
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil (for searing)
- 300 g (10 oz) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 75 g (1/3 cup) packed brown sugar
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) orange juice
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp (0.5 g) red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Combine milk and breadcrumbs in a bowl and let sit for 5 minutes until absorbed. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Cool for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, cooled onion, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.
- Portion into 24 meatballs and roll lightly. Heat skillet over medium-high and sear meatballs for 1-2 minutes per side until browned. Transfer to a baking sheet with a wire rack.
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the seared meatballs for 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
- For the glaze, add cranberries, brown sugar, orange juice, and apple cider vinegar to the same skillet. Simmer over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until cranberries burst and sauce thickens.
- Toss baked meatballs in the warm cranberry glaze until evenly coated. Allow glaze to set for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Make-ahead by cooking meatballs and glaze entirely, then refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking and Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 90mg