Description
Festive and flavorful, these Best Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are a holiday favorite made with ground turkey and a sweet-tangy cranberry glaze. Perfect for parties or family dinners, they’re easy to prepare, full of seasonal cheer, and sure to impress your guests with every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, parsley, beaten egg, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Mix until well combined and form into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
4. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through and golden brown.
5. While the meatballs are baking, prepare the cranberry sauce by mixing cranberry sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan over medium heat.
6. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes.
7. Once the meatballs are done, toss them in the cranberry sauce until well coated.
8. Serve warm, garnished with fresh cranberries and chopped green onions.
Notes
These meatballs can be made ahead and reheated before serving.
Pair with toothpicks for easy serving at your holiday gatherings.
Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes.
Using ground turkey keeps these meatballs lighter and healthier compared to traditional beef or pork.
Make the meatballs in advance and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake them.
For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs in the recipe.
Serve with a variety of dipping sauces for added flavor and variety.
Feel free to add chopped nuts or dried fruits to the meat mixture for an extra twist.