My Fave Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs
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My Fave Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs
My Fave Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs are a bold, flavor-packed dish with a sweet and spicy kick! Made with plant-based meatballs, they’re coated in a tangy cranberry BBQ sauce with a hint of jerk seasoning. Perfect for a holiday appetizer or a fun weeknight meal, these meatballs are sure to be a hit! Make-ahead + Slow Cooker Option.
Cranberry is such a winning festive flavor—it’s tangy, sweet, and just screams holiday vibes. And y’all know, with my Jamaican background, I can’t resist infusing spicy jerk flavors into whatever I can. So, I created My Fave Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs! Made with vegan meatballs, they’re a perfect addition to the holiday table that everyone can enjoy. And trust me, even the meat lovers will be sneaking seconds. If you prefer, you can always swap in ground beef or pork meatballs instead—it’s totally customizable.
And because I know how hectic the holidays can get (busy mama life over here!), there’s a slow cooker option + make-ahead tips to make your life easier. Whether you’re hosting a big family dinner or bringing a dish to a holiday potluck, these meatballs are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
For more plant-based meatball goodness see my Coconut Curry Meatball Orzo Soup and Vegan BBQ Meatballs and Creamy Polenta next!
Jump to:
- Why Everyone LOVES My Fave Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs
- How to Make Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs
- Ingredients
- What Do Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs Taste Like?
- What To Serve With Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs
- Other Serving Suggestions for Vegan Meatballs
- Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs Q + A's
- More Delicious Cranberry Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- My Fave Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs
Why Everyone LOVES My Fave Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs
- Full of bold, crave-worthy flavors --- Packed with festive cranberry flavor and a spicy jerk kick.
- Totally customizable—vegan, beef, pork, you name it.
- Super easy to make ahead or toss in the slow cooker.
- Perfect for holiday dinners, potlucks, or game nights.
- Saucy, sweet, and just the right amount of heat.
- Basically, the MVP of your holiday table!
How to Make Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs
For this recipe, you can use store-bought plant-based meatballs or make your own. If you're going the homemade route, check out my Vegan Meatballs recipe! You'll also need BBQ sauce and jerk marinade for the flavorful sauce. Full details are in the recipe card below!
Ingredients
MEATBALLS:
- Vegan meatballs. Store-brought or homemade! You can also use regular ground beef or pork meatballs, if desired.
CRANBERRY BBQ JERK SAUCE:
- Vegan butter. You can sub with unsalted butter, if desired.
- BBQ sauce. Either a premium quality sauce or try my homemade BBQ sauce recipe!
- Vegetable stock. I like to use a organic low sodium one!
- Jerk marinade. I have a great homemade recipe HERE!
- Fresh cranberries. For the freshest flavor, however in a pinch frozen can work too!
- Cornstarch. Be sure to mix with 3-6 Tbsps warm water to make a slurry to thicken the sauce.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THESE MEATBALLS!
Here, I've curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs recipe. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
What Do Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs Taste Like?
- Sweet, tangy + spicy all in one bite.
- The cranberries add a festive sweetness.
- Jerk seasoning brings a bold, fiery kick.
- Think cozy holiday vibes with a Caribbean twist!
What To Serve With Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs
These Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs are perfect for a holiday table or just because—they're amazing on their own, but here are some ideas to make them the star of a meal:
- Fluffy basamti rice or coconut rice
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Almongside bread like garlic bread, cornbread or dinner rolls
- For some extra Jamaican flare they would be amazing with Jamaican rice + peas
- Mac + cheese (MY go to side for almost everything. Haha)
- Quinoa or couscous
Other Serving Suggestions for Vegan Meatballs
You can have fun experimenting with serving your vegan meatballs with other sauces and starches. Try it with gluten-free or regular pasta--- They would go perfectly in Vegan Bolognese Pasta or atop Ultra Creamy Cheesy Garlic Vegan Mashed Potatoes, or even with Sweet Potato Mash.
Instead of cranberry jerk BBQ sauce, try one of these other tasty sauce ideas:
Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs Q + A's
Store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. You can also freeze the meatballs for up to three months. Defrost them overnight in the fridge and reheat them on the stove or in the oven.
Absolutely ---- Meatballs can be made and stored as meal prep and simply assemble the sauce and bake the meatballs when ready to serve.
Yes! To make these meatballs in the slow cooker, simply add everything (excluding the cornstarch mixture) into your slow cooker and cooking on a low setting for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally. In the last hour or so, add and stir in the cornstarch mixture and allow everything to continue to cook until thickened and done.
They have a flavorful kick from the jerk marinade, but you can adjust the spice level by using a mild or spicy jerk sauce.
More Delicious Cranberry Recipes
Now that you've fallen in love with My Fave Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs recipe, try these festive recipes next!
- Perfect Apple Cranberry Sauce
- Fluffy Vegan Quinoa Pancakes + Cranberry
- Cranberry Orange Scones
- Sparkling Cranberry Orange Ginger Mocktail
- Vegan Apple Cranberry Crumble Pie
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried My Fave Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
My Fave Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs
Ingredients
MEATBALLS:
- 3-4 cups vegan meatballs (See Notes; You can also use regular ground beef or pork meatballs, if desired)
Instructions
TO MAKE THE VEGAN MEATBALLS:
- If making your meatballs from scratch, see my Vegan Meatballs from this recipe! Try to portion them out into smaller sizes for the most serving size.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
TO MAKE THE SAUCE:
- In an oven safe deep skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter and let it melt. Add the BBQ sauce, jerk marinade, cranberries, and veggie stock, and mix together until combined. Let everything boil for 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for another 1-2 minutes. Add in the cornstarch mixture and stir the sauce until it thickens.
- Add in the vegan meatballs, stir to fully coat the meatballs and let everything continue to simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and let everything bake for 10-15 minutes, spooning the sauce atop meatballs occasionally.
- Once the meatballs are tender and cooked through and the sauce is "baked onto" meatballs and almost sticky in consistency, remove from oven.
- To serve, enjoy your Cranberry BBQ Jerk Meatballs as an appetizer or with your favorite side (i.e. garlic bread, mashed potatoes, rice, veggies, etc.).
- Bon Appétit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. You can also freeze the meatballs for up to three months. Defrost them overnight in the fridge and reheat them on the stove or in the oven.
- MAKE AHEAD: Meatballs can be made and stored as meal prep and simply assemble the sauce and bake the meatballs when ready to serve.
- SLOW COOKER OPTION: To make these meatballs in the slow cooker, simply add everything (excluding the cornstarch mixture) into your slow cooker and cooking on a low setting for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally. In the last hour or so, add and stir in the cornstarch mixture and allow everything to continue to cook until thickened and done.
Nutrition
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