Cranberry chili meatballs are the perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and savory, making them an irresistible appetizer for holiday gatherings or an easy weeknight dinner with a twist. They combine classic comfort with a bold sauce that clings to every bite sized meatball, creating a dish that always disappears fast from the table.
The meatballs themselves can be homemade or store bought, but homemade adds an extra layer of flavor. A simple mixture of ground beef or turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper forms the base. Once rolled and browned, they get ready for the real star of the recipe: the cranberry chili sauce.
The sauce is a playful balance of flavors. Cranberry sauce brings bright sweetness and that signature tartness, while chili sauce or a mild hot sauce adds warmth and depth. When the two simmer together, they create a glossy coating that transforms simple meatballs into something special. A splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire can give the sauce extra complexity, and a pinch of red pepper flakes is perfect for a little heat.
As the meatballs finish cooking in this sauce, they soak up the tangy spice and become tender and juicy. The sauce thickens just enough to cling to each piece, giving every bite a mix of fruitiness, heat, and savory richness. The aroma alone is enough to make everyone hover around the kitchen waiting for a taste.
These meatballs shine as an appetizer on buffet tables, served with toothpicks or over a layer of fresh herbs for color. They also work beautifully as a main dish. Serve them over rice, mashed potatoes, or buttered noodles to turn the sweet and spicy sauce into a full meal. They even fit well in a sandwich roll for a fun, messy, flavor packed sub.
Cranberry chili meatballs store and reheat well, making them a great make ahead option for parties or busy weeks. The flavors get even better the next day as the sauce settles into the meat.
This dish brings brightness, comfort, and a little kick all in one. Whether you are hosting, celebrating, or just craving something bold and satisfying, cranberry chili meatballs are a reliable crowd pleaser every time.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef lean
- 1 cup cranberry sauce canned or homemade
- 1 cup chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until they are browned on all sides.
- In a separate bowl, combine the cranberry sauce and chili sauce. Mix well.
- Pour the sauce over the meatballs in the skillet. Reduce the heat and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for about 10 minutes, ensuring they are cooked through.
- Serve the meatballs hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition
Made these for the game, and everyone loved them! Some even asked for the recipe! Will definitely make again. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ugh, these tasted so weird. I don’t know who’s making meatballs with fruit sauce but it’s not for me. ⭐
These meatballs are delicious! I love the combo of cranberry and chili, perfect for the holidays! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cranberry and chili? Sounds weird. But I guess it’s worth a try. 🤔
I just made these! They were a hit at dinner! Thanks for sharing! 😍
I was skeptical at first, but they turned out great! Who would have thought cranberry could work in meatballs? I made this for my family and they devoured it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I can’t believe cranberry works with meatballs! I’m gonna try it too. Thanks for sharing! 😊
Are meatballs suposed to be sweet? This was off, didn’t think I would like sweet stuff in my meat. But I guess I don’t like change lol. ⭐⭐⭐
Flavor was good but took longer to cook than the recipe says. Also, the sauce was too much for me. Next time I’ll use less. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wait, it took longer? I did it in 10min just like the recipe said. Maybe your meatballs were bigger? 🤔
I totally get what you mean! The sauce can be a bit much. I like a little less too. But still, the flavor is awesome! 😋