Cherry-Glazed Mini Meatballs (Print)

Mini meatballs baked to juicy perfection, tossed in a sweet and tangy cherry glaze.

# Ingredients:

→ Meatballs

01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 1/4 cup milk
05 - 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

→ Cherry Glaze

10 - 1 cup cherry preserves
11 - 1/4 cup ketchup
12 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
13 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
02 - In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano until just combined.
03 - Form the mixture into 24 small meatballs, approximately one heaping tablespoon each, and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until evenly browned and cooked through.
05 - While meatballs bake, combine cherry preserves, ketchup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan over medium heat; stir and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened.
06 - Transfer the baked meatballs to a large bowl, pour the hot cherry glaze over them, and toss gently to evenly coat.
07 - Serve the glazed meatballs warm, optionally with cocktail picks.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Easy to make with everyday ingredients
  • Delightfully sweet and tangy glaze elevates classic meatballs
02 -
  • Always check store-bought preserves and ketchup for hidden allergens
  • This recipe contains eggs, wheat, and soy
03 -
  • Swap cherry preserves for grape jelly for a fun variation
  • Add a pinch of ground ginger to the glaze for a deeper flavor
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