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5.0 from 39 votes

Cranberry Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Cranberry Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a sweet and tangy appetizer perfect for the holidays! Use up leftover cranberry sauce in this quick and easy recipe. They make the perfect appetizer during the holidays or anytime of the year! There’s something special about cranberry sauce mixed with the hoisin sauce (Asian BBQ sauce) it's sweet, tangy and smoky. Just perfect! It's a set it and forget it recipe. The sauce comes together quickly in one pot and you can even use frozen store bought meatballs! Simply add all the ingredients to a pot, simmer and keep warm until ready to serve.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 383 kcal
Course: Main Course , Appetizer
Cuisine: Asian , American

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 eggs
  • 8 cloves garlic (finely minced)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes (red pepper flakes)
  • 4 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
  • 4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoon pepper (ground)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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).
  4. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and/or green onion, optional, serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • SLOWER COOKER METHOD
  • Add all of the sauce ingredients to your slow cooker. Mix until evenly combined.
  • Add frozen precooked meatballs into the slow cooker and mix until the meatballs are evenly combined. Ensure all of the meatballs are submerged in the sauce. Depending on the size of your slow cooker add ¼ - ½ cup of water to ensure the meatballs are evenly coated in the sauce.
  • Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 3-4 hours, or until the sauce is bubbly and the meatballs are heated through.
  • Once fully cooked, switch your slow cooker to the keep warm setting until ready to serve.
  • Garnished with fresh chopped parsley and/or green onion, optional, serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Calories 383kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 38g (13%) Protein 23g (46%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 108mg (36%) Sodium 1103mg (46%) Potassium 93mg (3%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 31g (62%) Vitamin A 68IU (1%) Vitamin C 5mg (6%) Calcium 98mg (10%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 383

% 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.