Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1½ lbs ground turkey or beef
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup almond flour or breadcrumbs
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Glaze:
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp sweetener (optional, such as honey or maple syrup)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Prepare Meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine ground turkey or beef with the egg, almond flour or breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly and shape into 20–24 evenly sized meatballs.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased rack. Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes until cooked through and browned.
- Make Glaze: While the meatballs bake, stir together the cranberry sauce, orange zest, apple cider vinegar, and sweetener in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until smooth and slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Toss and Serve: Remove baked meatballs from the oven and gently toss them in the warm cranberry-orange glaze to coat evenly. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh orange slices for an attractive presentation.
Notes
- Serve with orange slices to enhance presentation and add a fresh citrus note.
- This recipe adapts well for slow cooker preparation, making it ideal for party setups where meatballs can simmer and stay warm.
- Use almond flour to keep this recipe gluten-free, or traditional breadcrumbs if preferred.
- Adjust sweetness in the glaze by adding or omitting the optional sweetener based on your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
