Okay, fellow comfort seekers! Let’s chat about something that’s been a dinnertime win in my cozy chaos of a kitchen: Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs. Yes, you heard that right! It might sound a little wild, but trust me, these meatballs are pure comfort food magic.

I remember the first time I made these Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs. My youngest was going through a super picky phase, and I was desperate for something, anything, that everyone would eat. I saw a cranberry meatball recipe online, but knew my crew needed a little kick. That’s when the spicy BBQ idea sparked, and I haven’t looked back since. Now, let’s get into what makes these meatballs a family favorite!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Trust me, this Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs ingredient list is simple because busy moms need comfort without complexity! I usually have most of this on hand.

1 pound ground beef (I use 80/20 for extra flavor!)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned is my secret comfort weapon!)
1/4 cup milk (almond milk works perfectly too!)
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (14-ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite kind!)
1/4 cup jalapeno, finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika

No worries if you don’t have apple cider vinegar – I use a splash of lemon juice for extra comfort and zing in my Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs. And if fresh jalapenos aren’t your thing, a dash of your favorite hot sauce works wonders. You can find these simple ingredients at your regular grocery store. This Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs recipe proves delicious doesn’t mean expensive.

Here’s a Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs comfort hack that changed our family’s dinnertime. I prep the meatballs in the morning and let them chill in the fridge until I’m ready to cook. Talk about easy! My family gets extra comfort when I add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture. A perfect complement to our cranberry jalapeno meatballs.

Let’s Make it Happen!

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating, gently combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Be careful not to overmix – that’s key for tender meatballs! This is a crucial first step in creating our comfort food.
Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. I usually get about 24-30 meatballs from this recipe. Don’t worry if they’re not perfectly round; homemade comfort food is all about the love, not the perfection! In my busy kitchen, this comforting Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs prep usually takes me about 15 minutes.
Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Baking them prevents them from getting greasy. Perfect time to prep tomorrow’s lunch! Here’s where I used to struggle with my Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs – learn from my experience!
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through. While your Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs are baking, get started on the sauce. It only takes a couple of minutes.
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, jalapeno, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Your Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs should smell amazing by now!
Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to the saucepan with the sauce. Stir to coat the meatballs evenly. Don’t worry if your Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs looks a little saucy – that’s the point!
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for another 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. This is a crucial step in our Cranberry meatball recipe. While your Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs are simmering, take a moment to appreciate creating comfort for your family! I often use this time to get a quick load of laundry done.
Serve the Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs warm. Garnish with extra chopped jalapeno or fresh cilantro for a pop of color. Now, it’s time to enjoy the fruits (or meatballs) of your labor.

How We Love to Eat This!

My family devours this comforting Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs when I serve it over rice. The kids love the sweet and savory combination! The rice soaks up all that delicious sauce, and it’s just pure comfort food heaven.

This Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs is perfect for those busy weeknights when we need comfort food fast! I also love making these for potlucks or parties. They’re always a hit! We especially love Holiday meatballs!

For a fun twist, try serving these Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs as sliders on mini Hawaiian rolls. So good! Leftovers (if there are any!) are great in a meatball sub the next day. The kids devour them!

I’ve also tried adding a can of drained pineapple chunks to the sauce for a tropical twist. It’s surprisingly delicious! We made Cranberry jalapeno meatballs recently and everyone loved them.

Friends and family always rave about these Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs. They’re always surprised by the unique flavor combination, but they always come back for seconds!

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Is this Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs really filling enough for growing kids? Absolutely! The combination of ground beef, rice, and sauce is surprisingly hearty. I often add a side of steamed broccoli or green beans to make it a complete meal.
What if my picky eater won’t try this Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs? I understand the struggle! Try serving the meatballs with a side of plain rice or mashed potatoes. Let them try the sauce separately first. Sometimes, just a little taste is all it takes! Remember, Spicy meatball appetizer options can be great for introducing new flavors.
Can I meal prep this Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs for busy weeks ahead? Definitely! You can make the meatballs and sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the sauce and add the meatballs.
Can I freeze these Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs? Yes! Let the meatballs cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once they’re frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
Can I make this Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs in a slow cooker? Absolutely! Brown the meatballs in a skillet first, then transfer them to a slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Check out Cranberry BBQ Crockpot Meatballs – The Chunky Chef for an alternative recipe.
What if I don’t have jalapenos? No problem! You can substitute a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef? Yes! Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Ground turkey and chicken tend to cook faster than ground beef. You can also check out Cranberry Meatballs (Stovetop or Slow Cooker) + Video for more ideas.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs recipe supports my family’s comfort food goals because it’s simple, satisfying, and brings everyone to the table. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce from the holidays! This is a great cranberry meatball recipe to try.

My Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs Comfort Hacks

Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the meatball mixture for extra umami.
Use a cookie scoop to make sure all the meatballs are the same size.
Toast the breadcrumbs before adding them to the meatball mixture for extra flavor and texture.

We have variations of these Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs all the time. My oldest loves them with extra jalapeno, while my youngest prefers them with a little bit of brown sugar added to the sauce. I personally love them with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top. Don’t forget, we also love these Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs.

I hope you’ll give this Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs recipe a try. It’s a dinnertime win for my family, and I hope it will be for yours too! For more simple comfort food ideas for busy families, check out our Air Fryer Cranberry Brie Bites. Remember, cooking should be fun and enjoyable. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own! Happy cooking, fellow comfort seekers! I’m betting these Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs will be a holiday hit! Be sure to see what Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Meatballs Recipe | Slow Cooker Meatball … has to say, too!

Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs

Print Recipe

These Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs are the perfect appetizer or main course for the holidays or any gathering. Sweet cranberry sauce gets a spicy kick, creating a unique and flavorful dish that everyone will love.

Author: Beatriz
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (14-ounce) can cranberry sauce
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1-2 tablespoons sriracha sauce (or to taste)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands.
Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, sriracha, and apple cider vinegar.
Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to the saucepan with the sauce.
Simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to coat the meatballs evenly.
Serve hot.

Notes

Serve these meatballs as an appetizer with toothpicks or as a main course over rice or mashed potatoes.