Cranberry Glazed Meatballs
Cranberry Glazed Meatballs are a popular party appetizer featuring savory meatballs coated in a sweet and tangy glaze made from cranberry sauce, often combined with chili sauce or grape jelly. This dish is a staple of American holiday gatherings and potlucks, particularly during the winter season.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is typically high in both fat and protein from the meatballs, while the glaze contributes a significant amount of carbohydrates and sugar. A standard serving of 4-5 meatballs provides a good source of protein and iron, with a rough calorie estimate ranging from 250 to 350 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbs | 15 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.2 mcg |
| Zinc | 3.8 mg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
| Selenium | 15 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 4 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 4.5 mg |
| Potassium | 290 mg |
Per 4 meatballs with sauce (150 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it represents a classic example of mid-20th century American convenience cooking, where simple, shelf-stable ingredients like canned cranberry sauce and grape jelly were combined to create a crowd-pleasing flavor. Nutritionally, it's an interesting contrast between the savory, protein-rich meat and the intensely sweet, fruit-based sauce.
