Deliciously Unique: Cranberry Glazed BBQ Meatballs Recipe

• Recipe Rating: ★★★★☆
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Servings: 4

For the Meatballs:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/4 cup crushed pork rinds (you can adjust the amount to your liking)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/8 cup dried minced onions (onion flakes; found in the spice aisle)
• 1/8 cup beef bouillon powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon celery seeds
• 1/8 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon paprika
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking spray (for baking)

For the Cranberry Glaze:

• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• 1/2 cup SGT. Hart's BBQ Sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meatballs:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, crushed pork rinds, milk, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.

• Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You should have approximately 24-30 meatballs.

• Lightly spray the meatballs with cooking spray to help them brown nicely in the oven.

2. Bake the Meatballs:

• Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until they are cooked through and have a nice golden brown color. Ensure the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 160°F (71°C).

3. Prepare the Cranberry Glaze:

• While the meatballs are baking, prepare the cranberry glaze. In a saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, SGT. Hart's BBQ Sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, ground cinnamon, and cayenne pepper.

• Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is well heated and the brown sugar is dissolved. Simmer for a few minutes until the glaze thickens slightly. Remove from heat.

4. Glaze the Meatballs:

• Once the meatballs are done baking, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.

• Pour the cranberry glaze over the meatballs and gently toss to coat them evenly in the glaze.

5. Serve and Enjoy:

• Transfer the glazed meatballs to a serving platter and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions for added color and freshness.