Cranberry Sweet and Sour Meatballs
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
15 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
383 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Appetizer
Cranberry Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Description
This recipe uses cooked turkey meatballs, either homemade or store-bought, which are simmered in a sauce blending canned cranberry sauce, hoisin or smoky barbecue sauce, ketchup, red wine vinegar, hot sauce adjusted to taste, soy sauce, brown sugar, and fresh minced garlic and ginger. The sauce is brought to a simmer to thicken and marry the flavors before the meatballs are added for further cooking and absorption of the sauce's tangy sweetness.
The meatballs develop a glossy coating that balances sweetness from cranberries and brown sugar with savory umami from soy and hoisin. The garlic and ginger introduce aromatic warmth, and optional garnishes of chopped parsley and green onions provide fresh color and mild herbal brightness. The recipe can be served right away or reheated after longer simmering for tenderization and intensified flavors.
An alternate slow cooker method involves combining sauce ingredients with frozen precooked meatballs and cooking on low or high for several hours until heated through, making it a convenient set-and-forget option.
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs turkey meatballs (cooked, homemade or store bought, or beef, or plant based 'meatballs')
Sauce
- 1 can cranberry sauce (348mL can, or 1 ½ cups homemade cranberry sauce)
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce (or smokey BBQ sauce)
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoon hot sauce (more or less to taste)
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3 tablespoon garlic (minced)
- 3 tablespoon ginger (minced)
Garnish
- parsley (chopped, to garnish, optional)
- green onion (sliced, to garnish, optional)
Homemade Turkey Meatballs
- 2 pounds ground turkey (or ground chicken, or ground beef if preferred)
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 2 egg
- 8 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon basil dried
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes (red pepper flakes)
- 4 tablespoon parsley chopped, fresh
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
- 4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon black pepper ground
Instructions
- If using homemade meatballs, preheat oven to 350°F and line 2 sheets pans with parchment paper. In a large bowl add all of the meatball ingredients. Gently mix until just evenly combined. Do not over mix or the meatballs will be tough. Measure ½ tablespoon of the turkey and gently roll into small meatballs. Place each meatball on the prepared baking sheet spaced apart. The meatballs will shrink slightly while cooking so they can be fairly close together. Repeat with remaining meat until all meatballs are shaped. Bake the meatballs until cooked through and golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
- In a large saucepot or frying pan (slow cooker cooking method in notes), add all of the sauce ingredients. Mix until evenly combined. Bring the sauce to a simmer for about 5 minutes until thickened.
- Add in the cooked meatballs and simmer for another 5 - 10 minutes (ideally 1 hour or longer for the meatballs to tenderize and absorb the flavor).
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and/or green onion, optional, serve and enjoy!
Notes
- For slow cooker preparation, combine sauce ingredients with frozen cooked meatballs, ensuring they are fully coated and submerged; add ¼ to ½ cup water if needed.
- Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 3-4 hours until sauce is bubbly and meatballs are heated through.
- Keep warm setting can be used once cooking is complete until serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or green onion before serving for color and freshness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 383 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 383kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 108mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 1103mg | 46% |
| Potassium | 93mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 31g | 62% |
| Vitamin A | 68IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 98mg | 10% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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