Sweet, tangy, crowd-pleasing party favorite
These Quick Cranberry Meatballs are the ultimate solution for fast, delicious entertaining—juicy, tender beef meatballs simmered in a glossy cranberry-BBQ sauce that’s equal parts sweet, tangy, and irresistible. Perfect for potlucks, game nights, or last-minute guests, this recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together in minutes, making it ideal for busy home cooks. The cranberry sauce adds a festive flair, while the savory beef keeps everything hearty and satisfying. Whether you serve them as appetizers or over rice for a quick dinner, these meatballs always disappear first!
⏱️ Time Breakdown
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6–8 as appetizers
📝 Ingredients
(No pork needed — recipe uses beef per your substitution rules)
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup finely diced onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cranberry Sauce
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (whole or jellied)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Small cookie scoop (optional)
- Cutting board & knife
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Mix the meatballs: In a bowl, combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined—don’t overwork the meat.
- Shape: Roll into 1-inch meatballs or use a small scoop for even sizing.
- Brown the meatballs: Heat a skillet over medium heat and brown meatballs on all sides for 5–6 minutes. They don’t need to be fully cooked yet. 🙂
- Make the sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes.
- Simmer together: Pour sauce over the meatballs in the skillet. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick and glossy and meatballs are fully cooked. 🍒
- Serve: Enjoy warm as appetizers with toothpicks or spoon over rice or mashed potatoes.
💡 Pro Tips
- Slow cooker option: Brown meatballs first, then transfer to a slow cooker with sauce and heat on LOW for 2–3 hours.
- Make-ahead friendly: Freeze uncooked or cooked meatballs for up to 2 months—perfect for fast entertaining.
- Sauce twist: Use smoky BBQ sauce for a deeper flavor or add a splash of orange juice for brightness.
- Keep warm: Serve in a small slow cooker on WARM at parties so the sauce stays glossy.