Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs
Spice up your dinner with these delicious Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs! Sweet, savory, and easy to make, they’re perfect for any occasion!
Hey there, friend! If you’re in the mood for a dish that’s bursting with flavor and a little kick, then you’ve got to try these Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs! They’re a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and spicy, making them an excellent option for parties, family dinners, or just a cozy night in. So let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs
These meatballs are super versatile and can be made with ground beef, sausage, or a mix of both. Plus, they’re packed with flavor thanks to the zesty cranberry sauce and a hint of jalapeño. Trust me, they’ll be the star of your dinner table!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef (or a mix of sausage and ground beef)
- Avocado oil (or your favorite cooking oil)
- Tomato juice (V8 works like a charm)
- Crumbled bread
- Sea salt
- Ground black pepper
- Worcestershire sauce
- Fresh parsley
- Eggs
- Cranberry sauce (homemade if you’re feeling ambitious!)
- Fresh lemon juice
- Brown sugar
Let’s Make Some Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs!
- Mix It Up: Grab a large bowl and combine the ground beef (or sausage), avocado oil, tomato juice, crumbled bread, sea salt, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, and slightly beaten eggs. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Form the Balls: Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs. Make sure they’re all about the same size for even cooking.
- Brown Those Meatballs: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add your meatballs. Brown them on all sides until they have a delicious, golden crust. This step adds a ton of flavor!
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, mix together 1.5 pints of cranberry sauce, fresh lemon juice, and brown sugar. This sweet and tangy sauce is what makes these meatballs so irresistible.
- Bake Time: Place the browned meatballs in a 9×13 casserole dish and pour the cranberry sauce mixture over the top. Bake uncovered in a 375°F oven for about 40 minutes, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Alternative Cooking Method
If you prefer a slow cooker method, just toss the browned meatballs into the crockpot with the cranberry sauce and let them cook on low for 1-2 hours. This makes for an easy prep option if you’re entertaining guests or just want a hands-off cooking experience.
Serving Suggestions
These Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes for an extra comforting meal. They also make a fantastic appetizer at parties—just keep some toothpicks handy!
A Flavorful Twist
The combination of the sweet cranberry sauce with the spicy kick of jalapeño makes these meatballs stand out. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings or game day celebrations! Plus, they’re super easy to make, which means more time enjoying the company of your friends and family.
So, there you have it—your new go-to recipe for Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs! Give them a try, and I promise they’ll become a staple in your recipe rotation. Happy cooking!
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Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs
Equipment
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef (Or 1 lb sausage and 1 lb ground beef)
- 2 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of your choice)
- 1 cup tomato juice (V8 works also)
- 4 slices bread (crumbled)
- 2 tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp parsley
- 2 Large eggs (slightly beaten)
- 1½ pints cranberry sauce (homemade if you have it)
- 1½ tbsp lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
- ½ cup Light Brown Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉.
- In a large bowl, combine 2 pounds ground beef, 2 tbsp avocado oil, 1 cup tomato juice, 4 slices bread, 2 tsp sea salt, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp parsley2 Large eggs. Form into golfball size meatballs.
- Brown the meatballs in a skillet over medium high heat until brown on all sides.
- Mix 1½ pints cranberry sauce, 11½ tbsp lemon juice, and ½ cup Light Brown Sugar together in a medium bowl.
- Add the meatballs to a 9×13 casserole dish and top with cranberry sauce.
- Bake uncovered in a 375℉ oven for 40 minutes.
- Alternative directions: Place in crockpot or slow cooker. Cook for 1-2 hours or until internal temperature reaches 160℉.
- Serve warm alone or over mashed potatoes.