Say hello to your new favorite appetizer… Cranberry Meatballs! A delicious combination of savory and sweet with hints of cranberry and orange, these meatballs are exactly what you need to round out your holiday menu!

For as long as I can remember, cocktail meatballs have been a staple at every holiday party. They’re easy to make, easy to eat, and ALWAYS a favorite!

If you ask me, good meatballs are mostly about the sauce. Not that the meatballs don’t matter (they do)! But… well… the sauce matters more! And this cranberry orange sauce does not disappoint.

It’s sweet and tangy with the delicious flavors of cranberry and orange, and it’s the perfect complement to homemade turkey meatballs.

Speaking of the meatballs… they really do matter… and my turkey meatballs are the best. They’re moist and flavorful and couldn’t be easier to make. So even though you could use frozen meatballs… why would you!? Homemade meatballs + homemade cranberry orange sauce = the BEST appetizer ever!

what you’ll need for this recipe

For the meatballs:

1 pound ground turkey
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 large egg
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

For the sauce:

3/4 cup jellied cranberry sauce
1/2 cup chili sauce
1/4 cup bbq sauce
2 Tbsp. orange juice
1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon sriracha chili sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

how to make cranberry meatballs

Make the meatballs. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, panko bread crumbs, egg, milk, minced onion, salt and pepper. Mix well, then roll into 1 1/2 inch meatballs and place them in rows on a rimmed baking sheet.

Bake the meatballs. Bake meatballs at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked through.

Make the sauce. In a large saucepan, combine ingredients for sauce. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer until sauce is thickened and reduced.

Combine. Add the meatballs to the saucepan and stir to coat. You can also transfer the mixture to a slow cooker on low heat if desired.

Garnish & serve. Garnish with orange zest – (optional) garnish the meatballs with orange zest and serve with toothpicks.

Recipe Variations

Use 1 pound of frozen meatballs in place of homemade meatballs
Substitute ground beef or chicken for the turkey
Use regular bread crumbs in place of panko crumbs
Add additional seasonings to the meatballs, including garlic powder, onion powder, dried mustard, or Italian seasoning
For a sweeter sauce, add 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
Substitute grape jelly for the jellied cranberry sauce

make-ahead and storage tips

These Cranberry Meatballs are the perfect make-ahead appetizer. Here are some of my favorite tips:

Make the meatball mixture in advance and store in an airtight container until you’re ready to roll the meatballs
Make the meatballs in advance, cover, and store in the refrigerator up to 24 hours before baking
Make and bake the meatballs and refrigerate or freeze for later use
Combine the sauce ingredients and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator
Combine the meatballs and the sauce and simply reheat the day of your party!

More Appetizer Recipes You’ll Love!

Looking for more delicious appetizers? We’ve got you covered… meatballs and beyond!