Festive & Juicy Christmas Meatballs Recipe For Holiday Joy

Let these festive Christmas meatballs bring warmth to your holiday gathering with their rich, savory flavors.

Nordic traditions inspire this hearty dish that promises to delight everyone around the table.

Packed with aromatic herbs and spices, these tender morsels create an inviting winter atmosphere.

Grandmothers across Scandinavia have perfected this comforting recipe through generations of love and care.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of traditional and contemporary culinary techniques.

The combination of ground meats and carefully selected seasonings ensures a memorable meal that sparks conversation.

Serving these delectable meatballs alongside creamy mashed potatoes and lingonberry sauce for an authentic seasonal experience.

You’ll want to make extra – trust me, these meatballs disappear faster than snowflakes in sunlight.

Why Christmas Meatballs Recipe Brings Big Flavor

• Festive Flavor Explosion: These Christmas meatballs deliver a perfect blend of savory meat and sweet-tangy cranberry sauce, creating a holiday flavor profile that dances on your taste buds.
• Effortless Entertaining Magic: Baking the meatballs instead of frying makes preparation super simple and mess-free, perfect for busy holiday hosts who want delicious results without complicated cooking techniques.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: From start to finish, this recipe takes less than 45 minutes, making it an ideal dish for last-minute gatherings, potlucks, or family celebrations where time is of the essence.
• Versatile Party Starter: These meatballs work brilliantly as an appetizer, main course, or buffet item, ensuring they'll be a hit at any holiday event from casual family dinners to elegant Christmas parties.

Everything In Christmas Meatballs Recipe

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: Provides rich, hearty base for classic Christmas meatballs. Choose meats with moderate fat content for juiciness.

• Breadcrumbs, Egg, Milk: Helps bind meatballs together and create tender texture. Use fresh breadcrumbs for best results.

• Onion, Garlic, Parsley, Salt, Pepper: Adds depth and aromatic Christmas flavor. Use fresh garlic and finely chopped parsley for maximum taste.

• Cranberry Sauce, Barbecue Sauce, Brown Sugar, Worcestershire Sauce, Cinnamon: Creates sweet and tangy holiday glaze. Choose high-quality cranberry sauce for best flavor. Optional cinnamon provides warm, festive note.

Simple Steps For Christmas Meatballs Recipe

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to 400F. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or give it a quick spray of cooking oil.

Step 2: Create Meaty Magic

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Milk
• Diced onion
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chopped parsley

Gently blend these ingredients using your hands. Don’t overwork the mixture – just combine until everything looks evenly distributed.

Step 3: Roll Those Delicious Spheres

Form the meat mixture into cute round balls, each about the size of a golf ball. Place them carefully on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each meatball.

Step 4: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes until the meatballs turn a beautiful golden brown and are completely cooked through.

Step 5: Craft The Festive Sauce

• Cranberry sauce
• Barbecue sauce
• Brown sugar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Ground cinnamon

Heat this mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it becomes smooth and starts bubbling gently.

Step 6: Marry Meatballs With Sauce

Carefully transfer the baked meatballs into the simmering sauce. Gently toss to ensure each meatball gets a lovely coating. Let them simmer together for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to dance and mingle.

Serve hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up with holiday joy!

Tips For Juicy Christmas Meatballs Recipe

• Choose Quality Meat: Select fresh ground beef and pork with moderate fat content for juicier, more flavorful meatballs that won't dry out during baking.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Use light hands when combining ingredients to prevent dense, tough meatballs; overmixing can make the texture heavy and compact.
• Perfect Baking Trick: Place meatballs slightly apart on the baking sheet to ensure even cooking and crispy exterior without steaming each other.
• Sauce Balancing Act: Adjust sauce sweetness by tweaking brown sugar or cranberry sauce quantities to match your preferred taste profile, creating a personalized holiday flavor.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare meatballs and sauce separately up to two days in advance, refrigerating components and combining just before serving for convenient holiday meal preparation.

Store Christmas Meatballs Recipe The Smart Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Christmas meatballs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Wrap meatballs tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for maximum 2-3 months, ensuring they remain flavorful and safe to eat later.
• Reheat Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350F. Place meatballs in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated thoroughly. Splash a little sauce to prevent drying out.
• Microwave Option: Arrange meatballs in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly and maintain moisture.

What To Pair With Christmas Meatballs Recipe

• Pair with Festive Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or Zinfandel that complements the rich, sweet, and tangy flavors of the Christmas meatballs. The wine's fruit-forward notes will enhance the cranberry and barbecue sauce.
• Serve with Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Create a smooth, buttery side dish that absorbs the delicious sauce and provides a comforting contrast to the savory meatballs. The creamy texture balances the meat's robustness.
• Match with Crisp Green Salad: Prepare a light, fresh salad with mixed greens, sliced almonds, and a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the meatballs. The salad adds brightness and helps cleanse the palate between bites.
• Complement with Mulled Cider: Offer a warm, spiced beverage that echoes the cinnamon in the sauce and provides a cozy holiday feeling. The apple and spice notes will harmonize beautifully with the meatballs' flavor profile.

Ways To Mix Up Christmas Meatballs Recipe

• Scandinavian Spice Blend: Replace traditional seasonings with cardamom, nutmeg, and allspice for a Nordic-inspired flavor profile. Swap barbecue sauce with lingonberry jam for an authentic Swedish touch.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Incorporate feta cheese into the meat mixture and add oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Replace cranberry sauce with sun-dried tomato sauce for a zesty Mediterranean twist.
• Smoky Southwestern Style: Mix in chipotle peppers and cumin to the meatball base. Substitute barbecue sauce with a spicy salsa verde for a bold southwestern kick. Top with crumbled queso fresco before serving.
• Asian Fusion Approach: Blend ground pork with ginger, green onions, and soy sauce. Create a glaze using hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped cilantro for added complexity.

Christmas Meatballs Recipe Questions Answered

• What makes these meatballs special for Christmas?

These meatballs feature a festive cranberry-barbecue sauce that brings holiday flavors together. The combination of ground beef and pork creates a rich taste, while the sauce adds a sweet and tangy touch perfect for Christmas gatherings.

• Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply reheat them in the sauce for a quick and delicious appetizer or main dish.

• Are these meatballs kid-friendly?

Yes! The sweet sauce and mild seasonings make these meatballs appealing to both kids and adults. The mix of beef and pork creates a tender texture that children typically enjoy.

• What can I serve with these Christmas meatballs?

These meatballs work great as an appetizer with toothpicks or as a main dish served over rice, mashed potatoes, or alongside roasted vegetables. They’re versatile and perfect for holiday entertaining.

Christmas Meatballs Recipe

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4.9 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Nordic holiday magic shines through these Swedish Christmas Meatballs, blending traditional flavors with festive comfort. Juicy, spiced meat nestled in creamy sauce promises a delightful experience you’ll savor with each hearty bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• ½ lb (225 g) ground pork

Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:

• ½ cup (50 g) breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or fresh, finely chopped)
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for a festive touch)

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup (250 ml) cranberry sauce (smooth or whole berry)
• ½ cup (120 ml) barbecue sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

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Instructions

1. Craft the foundational meatball mixture by delicately blending ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, finely minced onion, crushed garlic, aromatic herbs, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel. Gently fold ingredients until harmoniously integrated, avoiding excessive manipulation.
2. Tenderly shape the protein blend into uniform spherical portions, approximately 1-inch in diameter, positioning each carefully on a parchment-lined baking surface.
3. Activate the oven to 400F, creating an ideal thermal environment for culinary transformation. Position the meatball-laden tray within the heated chamber.
4. Roast the morsels for 18-20 minutes, monitoring their progression toward a golden exterior and thorough internal cooking, ensuring complete protein development.
5. Simultaneously construct the festive glaze by combining cranberry sauce, robust barbecue sauce, caramelized brown sugar, tangy Worcestershire sauce, and optional warming cinnamon in a spacious skillet.
6. Gently elevate the sauce’s temperature, stirring periodically to establish a smooth, cohesive liquid melody of complementary flavors.
7. Transfer the freshly roasted meatballs directly into the simmering sauce, allowing each sphere to become luxuriously coated in the vibrant, sweet-savory embrace.
8. Permit the meatballs to leisurely simmer within the sauce for 5-7 minutes, facilitating flavor infusion and ensuring complete thermal equilibrium.

Notes

• Customize the meat blend by using different ground meats like turkey or lamb for a unique flavor profile and dietary variations.
• Ensure even-sized meatballs by using a small cookie scoop or measuring spoon to create uniform portions for consistent cooking.
• Prevent dry meatballs by avoiding overmixing the meat and using a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 160F for perfect texture.
• Make ahead and freeze the uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for convenient meal prep and quick future cooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 392
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg