Grilled Cranberry Meatballs
Grilled Cranberry Meatballs are a tasty holiday appetizer that is super simple to prepare and is sure to be a hit for any holiday get together.
Grilled meatballs make excellent party appetizers. We love these Cheddar Stuffed Meatballs, Buffalo Meatballs and Cocktail Meatballs are always a guaranteed crowd favorite. If you have ground venison, these grilled Venison Teriyaki Meatballs are crazy delicious.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef
Cranberry BBQ Sauce:
- Fresh Cranberries
- Apple Cider
- Orange Juice
- Brown Sugar
- Granulated Garlic
- Smoked Paprika
- Kosher Salt & Pepper
- Chli Flakes
Directions
- Scoop ground beef into meatballs, a medium size cookie scoop works great. We skipped seasoning the ground beef because once the grilled meatballs are coated in the sauce, they have plenty of flavor.
- Grill meatballs over direct fire with the grill closed about 5 minutes.
- Turn the meatballs to brown on all sides, continue to cook until meatballs reach 160° internal temperature using a digital meat thermometer.
- Remove from grill.
- In a skillet or saucepan, add cranberry bbq sauce and heat until sauce starts to bubble. Add meatballs, stirring to coat completely. Lower to simmer and keep warm until ready to serve.
How to Store and Reheat
Store meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Reheat in a pan with additional cranberry bbq sauce over low heat, stirring until heated through.
More Grilled Appetizers You Will Want to Try
If you are looking for a quick and easy holiday appetizer, these Cranberry Meatballs are perfect. The cranberry bbq sauce adds tons of flavor to the smoky grilled meatballs for an irresistible bite.
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Grilled Cranberry Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 cup cranberry bbq sauce recipe below
Instructions
- Scoop ground beef into meatballs, a medium size cookie scoop works great.
- Grill meatballs over direct fire with the grill closed about 5 minutes.
- Turn the meatballs to brown on all sides, continue to cook until meatballs reach 160° internal temperature using a digital meat thermometer.
- Remove from grill.
- In a skillet or saucepan, add cranberry bbq sauce and heat until sauce starts to bubble.
- Add meatballs, stirring to coat completely. Lower to simmer and keep warm until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Cranberry BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1 cup apple cider
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
Instructions
- Place fresh cranberries on a grill pan and place over an indirect fire using hickory for smoke flavor.
- Cook at about 300° with the grill closed for about 30 minutes or until cranberries are softened, optional. See note if you are not smoking the cranberries.
- Pour smoked cranberries into a saucepan and combine with apple cider, orange juice and brown sugar.
- Bring mixture to a boil and lower heat to simmer.
- Mix in garlic, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
- Continue to cook until desired thickness is reached, stirring often. Remove from heat and stir in chili flakes.
- Pour into a jar, cover and refrigerate until ready to us
The flavor in these meatballs are incredible! I love cranberry!