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Merry Meals: Festive Meatball Dinner For Christmas

Juicy, sweet, moist and tangy cranberrey meatballss are simmered in cranberry and sweet chili sauce. Pure deliciousness! A perfect meatball appetizer to bring in the new year
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword sweet chili meatballs
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 5 Serves 3-4
Author April Boller Wright

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 2 lb ground beef
  • salt and pepper for taste
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 eggs lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup diced onions
  • 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 7 tbsp bread crumbs
  • 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon
  • 3/4 cup water

Cranberry Sweet Chili Glaze

  • 1 1/4 cup sweet chili glaze
  • 1 14 oz jellied cranberry sauce Or homemade..See notes below.
  • 4 tsp rice vinegar
  • 6 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup fresh cranberries optional but canned sauce is a bit flat in flavor, so I use extra fresh cranberries to help boost the flavor.

Instructions

  • Place the beef, eggs, onions, garlic, broth, seasonings and bread crumbs into a mixing bowl. Gently mix until evenly blended.
  • I like to pat the ground beef into a 10 x 7.5 rectangle. See photos above.
  • Next, cut going horizontal across the top.
  • Grab a meat square and roll each one into a meatball. This process should make about 30 meatballs. If you happen to have smaller meatballs you can just add more meat to it.
  • Add the water to the instant pot then the meatballs. Let the ip naturally release once done. Remove the meatballs. Set to the side then drain the liquid from the meatballs.
  • Add the cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries. Press saute button. Saute and mash the cranberries until the sauce is thickened to your preference.
  • Add the meatballs back to the instant pot. Toss to coat.

Notes

These meatballs will look a bit ugly once they're done cooking in the instant pot. You'll notice them sticking together. Do not fret!  You can use a butter knife or a fork to easily break them apart.  If you want to try to make fresh cranberry sauce you can try my homemade cranberry sauce. It's quick and flavorful and delicious!