Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 20 min
🍽 Serves: 6
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Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs are the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy, making them an ideal dish for holiday gatherings or casual weeknight dinners. This recipe combines the warmth of cranberries with the punch of BBQ and hot sauce, creating a mouthwatering experience.

Ingredients for Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs

The balance in these meatballs is what makes them stand out. The combination of ground beef and ground pork ensures the meatballs stay juicy and flavorful. Breadcrumbs help bind everything together while adding a touch of texture. Onions and garlic provide a base of savory flavor, enhanced by salt, black pepper, and a touch of cayenne pepper for heat.

The sauce is where the magic happens. Cranberry sauce adds a sweet-tart element, complemented by the smoky richness of BBQ sauce. Hot sauce gives an extra kick, while apple cider vinegar adds acidity to balance the flavors. Smoked paprika ties everything together with its deep, smoky notes.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use a mix of meats for the best flavor and texture; the fat in pork helps keep the meatballs moist.
  • Chill the meat mixture for 15 minutes before shaping to make it easier to handle.
  • If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of hot sauce and cayenne pepper.
  • Double the sauce recipe if you like your meatballs extra saucy.

Serving Suggestions

These meatballs are versatile and can be served in several ways. Pair them with mashed potatoes or rice for a hearty meal, or serve them on toothpicks as a festive appetizer at parties. They also make a great sandwich filling in a crusty roll.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meatballs and sauce a day in advance. Store them separately in the fridge and combine them when ready to serve.
Can I freeze the meatballs?
Absolutely. Freeze the cooked meatballs without sauce on a baking sheet, then transfer to a ziplock bag. Thaw and heat them in the sauce when you're ready to eat.

Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is warming up, grab a large bowl and combine your ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, onions, garlic, egg, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix everything together until it's well combined, but don't overwork it — you want the meatballs to be tender.

Next, shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. You can use a small ice cream scoop to keep them uniform, which helps them cook evenly. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Pop your meatballs in the oven and let them bake for about 20 minutes, or until they're nicely browned and cooked through. While they bake, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika. Stir it all together over medium heat until it's well combined and heated through.

When your meatballs are done, transfer them to a large bowl and pour the sauce over them. Toss everything together until the meatballs are thoroughly coated in all that delicious sauce.

Serve them hot, and if you're feeling fancy, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley over the top for a pop of color and freshness.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • A unique twist on traditional meatballs with a spicy kick.
  • Perfect for both holiday feasts and everyday meals.
  • Simple to prepare and quick to cook.
  • Uses common pantry staples you likely already have.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup cranberry sauce
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1/4 cup hot sauce
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp smoked paprika

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, onions, garlic, egg, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well.
3. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
5. While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika. Stir and cook over medium heat until well combined and heated through.
6. Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl and pour the sauce over them. Toss to coat evenly.
7. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

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