Cocktail Cranberry Meatballs

These Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs make the reliable holiday appetizer that are straightforward to throw together with the reliable blend of sweet and savory flavors!

The holidays are definitely the favorite time of the year and just about any party A cook go to serves up cocktail meatballs. Why?? Well they are always such a crowdpleaser, not only because they are tasty, but they are super straightforward to eat while mingling with friends and walking around. This kitchen is all about devouring some holiday appetizers and meatballs are hands down the BEST!

Most cocktail meatball recipes have the same variation – a jar of jelly and some chili sauce. Well A cook wanted to mix things up a bit and make a sauce that was satisfying, but was also on the cleaner side so A cook used fresh cranberries, fresh squeezed orange juice, a little honey and, yes, chili sauce. A cook mean it is sort of a MUST right? Of course you can also easily just use cranberry

What goes in

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
• 1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
• 1/3 cup honey
• 12 ounces. fresh cranberries, or you can use cranberry sauce
• 1/2 cup chili sauce
• 1 teaspoon. orange zest
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How it comes together

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Use a wide bowl, mix together ground beef, onion, breadcrumbs, garlic, egg, parmesan cheese, tomato paste, salt, pepper and parsley until well combined. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls (you will make roughly 30 balls) and place spaced apart on prepared baking sheets lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
3. Bake meatballs for 20 to 25 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
4. While the meatballs are baking, whisk together orange juice and honey in a small saucepan over a moderate burner until the honey dissolves. Add cranberries and cook for about 10 minutes, until the berries start to pop, then reduce heat and add chili sauce, orange zest and cayenne pepper, cooking an additional 10 to 15 minutes. Feel free to mash the cranberries with the back of a wooden spoon to achieve a jam-like consistency and add 1/4 cup of water if you like a thinner sauce.
5. Remove cranberry sauce from heat and season with salt and pepper as needed. Toss sauce with baked meatballs, garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!