Holiday cooking should feel warm and welcoming—not stressful. These easy Christmas meatballs are a dependable, crowd-pleasing recipe designed for busy holiday kitchens, potlucks, and make-ahead planning. The meatballs are tender and juicy, coated in a glossy sweet-and-savory sauce that feels festive without being overly rich or complicated.
What makes this recipe especially reliable is the method. The meatballs are briefly broiled first, which helps them hold their shape and develop flavor. From there, they finish gently simmering in sauce—either in a slow cooker or on the stovetop—so they stay moist and evenly coated. This two-step approach creates meatballs that look great on a serving platter and taste just as good hours later.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Meatballs
- Sweet and savory glaze that thickens naturally
- Meatballs stay juicy without falling apart
- Easy to prepare ahead of time
- Works for parties or family meals
- Slow cooker and stovetop options
- Familiar ingredients with holiday appeal
Ingredients Overview
Meatballs
- Ground beef chuck (80–85% lean)
- Evaporated milk
- Dry breadcrumbs
- Worcestershire sauce
- Onion soup mix
Sweet & Savory Sauce
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Grape juice
- Balsamic vinegar
- Fresh cranberries (optional)
How to Make Easy Christmas Meatballs
Before You Begin
Prepare all ingredients and line a baking sheet before starting. Cooking times and results may vary depending on oven strength and meatball size, so rely on visual cues along with the provided time ranges.
1. Mix and Rest the Meat
Gently combine the ground beef, evaporated milk, breadcrumbs, onion soup mix, and half of the Worcestershire sauce. Mix just until combined. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour so the mixture firms up and holds its shape.
2. Broil for Structure
Form evenly sized meatballs and place on a lined baking sheet. Broil 5–7 minutes, turning once, until the tops look lightly browned and the meatballs feel firm on the surface. They will finish cooking in the sauce.
3. Prepare the Sauce
In a Dutch oven or saucepan, combine ketchup, brown sugar, grape juice, balsamic vinegar, and the remaining Worcestershire sauce. Heat gently until smooth and glossy.
4. Finish Cooking
Add the broiled meatballs to the sauce.
- Slow cooker: Cook on LOW for 2–3 hours or HIGH for 1–1.5 hours, until meatballs feel firm and the center is no longer pink.
- Stovetop: Simmer gently 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce looks glossy and coats each meatball evenly.
5. Serve Warm
Stir in fresh cranberries during the final minutes if using. Serve warm and keep covered.
How to Serve
- As a party appetizer with toothpicks
- Over mashed potatoes or rice
- With crusty bread for dipping
- As part of a holiday buffet
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating
Make-Ahead
Broil the meatballs and prepare the sauce up to two days ahead. Store separately and combine when ready to cook.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in a slow cooker until warmed through.
Freezing
Freeze cooked or broiled meatballs and sauce separately for up to 2–3 months.
Tips for Best Results
- Mix gently to avoid dense meatballs
- Use uniform sizing for even cooking
- Watch closely while broiling
- Let the sauce reduce slightly for a thicker glaze
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmixing the meat mixture
- Skipping the resting time
- Cooking over high heat at the end
- Adding too much liquid to the sauce
- Leaving the broiler unattended
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are these called Christmas meatballs?
They’re commonly served during the holidays because they’re easy to keep warm, make ahead, and serve to groups. The sweet-and-savory sauce fits naturally into festive menus, but the recipe works year-round.
Can I bake the meatballs instead of broiling them?
Yes. Bake them in a hot oven until lightly browned, then finish cooking in the sauce. Broiling is faster and adds color, but baking is a good alternative.
Why use evaporated milk in the meatballs?
Evaporated milk adds moisture and richness without making the mixture loose. Combined with breadcrumbs, it helps the meatballs stay tender through broiling and simmering.
Can I use a different meat?
Yes. Ground pork, turkey, chicken, or a beef-pork blend all work. Lean meats may need extra care to avoid drying out.
Are fresh cranberries required?
No. They’re optional and mostly for a festive look. You can skip them or replace them with pomegranate arils for color.
How do I know the meatballs are done?
They should feel firm, release clear juices, and no longer appear pink inside. Gentle simmering ensures even cooking.
Can these sit out at a party?
Keep them warm in a slow cooker or warming tray. Stir occasionally and keep covered to prevent drying.
Conclusion
These easy Christmas meatballs are a dependable holiday recipe built for real-life entertaining. With tender meatballs, a rich sweet-and-savory sauce, and flexible cooking options, they’re perfect for parties, potlucks, and cozy family meals—without unnecessary stress.
Recipe Card
Easy Christmas Meatballs
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: ~1 hour
Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12
Author: Isaac blogger
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 3 lb ground beef chuck (80–85% lean)
- 1 (14-oz) can evaporated milk
- ¼ cup dry breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, divided
- 1 (1-oz) packet onion soup mix
Sauce
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup grape juice
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, gently mix ground beef, evaporated milk, breadcrumbs, onion soup mix, and 1 tbsp Worcestershire. Refrigerate 1 hour so the mixture firms.
- Form meatballs and place on a lined baking sheet. Broil 5–7 minutes, turning once, until the surface is lightly browned.
- In a pot, whisk ketchup, brown sugar, grape juice, balsamic vinegar, and remaining Worcestershire. Warm over medium heat until smooth.
- Add the broiled meatballs and cook:
- Slow cooker: LOW 2–3 hours or HIGH 1–1.5 hours
- Stovetop: Simmer 20–25 minutes
Visual cue: meatballs should feel firm and no longer appear pink in the center.
- Stir and serve warm.
Nutrition (Approximate, Per Serving)
Calories: ~480
Protein: ~32 g
Fat: ~32 g
Carbohydrates: ~18 g
Nutrition Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only and may vary based on ingredient brands, substitutions, and portion sizes.
