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Savoury cranberry meatball getting served on a silver spoon.
Bailey

Savory Cranberry Meatballs

4.80 from 5 ratings
Homemade meatballs are tossed in a savory sauce made from shallots, cranberries, brown sugar, dijon mustard, garlic, and maple syrup to create a dish unlike anything you’ve tasted before.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 407
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Meatballs
  • ½ pound lean ground beef
  • ½ pound lean ground pork
  • ⅓ cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 package french onion soup mix
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Savory Cranberry Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup shallots, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ teaspoons fennel seeds, crushed
  • 1 ½ pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
  • a sprig of fresh thyme

Method
 

Meatballs
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Combine all ingredients for the meatballs in a medium mixing bowl, being careful not to overmix it. 
  3. Create 12 - 15 meatballs using your hands or a cookie scoop (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each). Lay the meatballs at least an inch apart on the prepared baking tray. 
  4. Bake the meatballs for 18-20 minutes or until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
Savory Cranberry Sauce
  1. Meanwhile, heat oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add the shallots and saute until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and fennel seeds and saute an additional 3-5 minutes or until fragrant. 
  2. Add the cranberries, brown sugar, water, maple syrup, dijon mustard, and thyme. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until simmering and cranberries begin to pop. 
  3. Continue cooking the savory cranberry sauce until thickened and reduced, about 10 minutes. 
  4. Remove the thyme and add the meatballs to the saucepan, tossing to coat them.
  5. Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.