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Cape Cod Cocktail Meatballs

These impressive Cape Cod cocktail meatballs are perfect for Christmas, New Year's, or any celebration. This is my version, but the recipe originated in Cape Cod (cranberry country).
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 20 people
Calories 4105.5 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl For combining meatball ingredients.
  • 1 Large Deep Baking Dish Suitable for baking meatballs and holding the sauce.
  • 1 Medium Saucepan For preparing the cranberry glaze.
  • 1 Whisk or Spoon For mixing the sauce ingredients.
  • 1 Rubber Spatula or Tongs For draining grease and serving.

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons grated onion
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 16 ounce can jellied cranberry sauce (such as Ocean Spray)
  • 1 ½ cups ketchup
  • 2 ½ tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, eggs, parsley, onion, soy sauce, and garlic powder in a bowl until thoroughly mixed. Roll meat mixture into meatballs using about 2 teaspoons meat mixture per meatball; arrange meatballs in a large, deep baking dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until meatballs are browned, about 25 minutes. Drain excess grease.
  • Combine cranberry sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir until cranberry sauce melts and sugar dissolves. Pour sauce over meatballs.
  • Continue baking in the oven until sauce forms a glaze and meatballs are no longer pink inside, 25 to 30 minutes more.

Notes

For optimal texture, avoid overmixing the ground beef mixture; gentle handling ensures tender meatballs. Ensure all meatballs are uniformly sized for even cooking. After the initial browning, thoroughly drain excess grease to prevent a greasy final product. When preparing the sauce, ensure the jellied cranberry sauce is fully melted and the brown sugar completely dissolved to achieve a smooth, consistent glaze. For an elevated flavor, consider a pinch of orange zest in the sauce to brighten the cranberry. Garnish with fresh parsley or finely chopped chives before serving for a vibrant finish and aromatic appeal.