Paleo Meatballs with Cranberry Chili Sauce Appetizer

These paleo meatballs with cranberry chili sauce are the perfect appetizer for the holidays. They can be made ahead of time in the slow cooker and kept warm for the whole night. Chili cranberry meatballs are grain-free, dairy-free, and paleo-approved.

This blog post is a collaboration with a few of my blogging friends. After reading this, be sure to check out all of their delicious appetizer recipes, all linked at the bottom of this post.  These recipes will all be a great dish to bring to your next holiday party!

PALEO MEATBALLS WITH CRANBERRY CHILI SAUCE APPETIZER

My grandma used to make meatballs in cranberry sauce for Christmas, Easter, and all the holidays in between.  They were always a hit at every party.

She used frozen meatballs, a can of jellied cranberry sauce, and a bottle of chili sauce.  Though they were extremely easy and delicious, they weren’t so great for you.

I decided to tweak the recipe just a bit and came up with a healthy alternative.  It was just as delicious (my husband says even more delicious, don’t tell grandma) as the ones I remembered eating as a kid.

PALEO MEATBALLS WITH CRANBERRY CHILI SAUCE APPETIZER INGREDIENTS 

FOR THE MEATBALLS 

• 3 pounds ground beef
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 3 tablespoon Italian seasonings
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 drop black pepper essential oil (or 1/2 tsp black pepper)

FOR THE CRANBERRY SAUCE 

• 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3-6 drops wild orange essential oil

FOR THE CHILI SAUCE 

• 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1 tsp garlic
• 1 tsp red hot pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp chili powder

PALEO MEATBALLS WITH CRANBERRY CHILI SAUCE APPETIZER INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs in a medium-size bowl.
2. Roll the meat into a ball using about 2 tablespoons of the mixture per ball.
3. Line the meatballs on a prepare baking dish.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until meat is cooked through.
4. While the meatballs are baking, add all the ingredients (except the essential oil) for the cranberry sauce into a medium-size saucepan and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and let simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring often.  Remove from heat and add in wild orange essential oil.
6. Pour the cranberry mixture into a blender and blend until smooth.
7. Mix all the ingredients for the chili sauce in a medium-size mixing bowl. Stir until well combined.
8. When the meatballs are done, pour both sauces over them. This is enough sauce for 3 pounds of meatballs. If you are bringing this to a party you can put this in a crockpot to keep it warm all night.

ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS 

GROUND BEEF

We buy all our beef from a local cattle farmer that sells organic grass-fed beef. My sister and I will split a whole or half of a cow, and that alone will fill my deep freezer. It is a ton of meat!  If you don’t have access to a local farmer, my second favorite place to get grass-fed beef is ALDI.

If you prefer to make these meatballs with turkey or chicken, you can substitute the beef for that.

ALMOND FLOUR AND EGG

These are the ingredients that hold the meatball together.  I am using almond flour instead of a traditional bread crumb to make these gluten-free.  Plus, almonds are packed full of protein and other nutrients.  You can use coconut flour or arrowroot powder for more gluten-free options.

BLACK PEPPER ESSENTIAL OIL

I have the option of using black pepper essential oil in these meatballs, but you can use regular black pepper too.  With many internal benefits, black pepper essential oil can be used to add spice when cooking, while providing the body with powerful immune-boosting properties.

When cooking with essential oils, a little goes a long way. Most recipes will only require one drop of essential oil. If you need less, you can use the “toothpick drop,” which means to stick a toothpick in the top of an essential oil bottle, to get the tip wet.  Then swirl that end into the dish you are trying to season. Always start with less and add more to taste.

CRANBERRIES

The tartness of the cranberries counters nicely with the sweetness of the honey, orange juice, and orange essential oil.  They pair great with meat and add a distinct, yet delicious flavor to this dish.

Cranberries are great for your health and are known as a superfood!  Feel good about adding these!

WILD ORANGE ESSENTIAL OIL

The hint of orange really adds a burst of flavor to these meatballs and pairs well with the cranberries.  Wild orange essential oil also has several health benefits when taken internally.

Wild orange can boost the immune system, gently detox the body, and help with energy levels. It can be taken daily to cleanse the body and promote healthy liver and kidney function.

PIN IT FOR LATER 

 

PALEO MEATBALLS WITH CRANBERRY CHILI SAUCE

Print

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

FOR THE MEATBALLS

• 3 lbs ground beef
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 3 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 drop black pepper essential oil

FOR THE CRANBERRY SAUCE

• 12 ounces cranberries, frozen or fresh
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3-6 drops wild orange essential oil

FOR THE CHILI SAUCE

• 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1 tsp garlic
• 1 tsp red hot pepper flakes
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp chili powder

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs in a medium-size bowl.
2. Roll the meat into a ball using about 2 tablespoons of the mixture per ball.
3. Line the meatballs on a prepare baking dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until meat is cooked through.
4. While the meatballs are baking, add all the ingredients (except the essential oil) for the cranberry sauce into a medium-size saucepan and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and let simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and add in wild orange essential oil.
6. Pour the cranberry mixture into a blender and blend until smooth.
7. Mix all the ingredients for the chili sauce in a medium-size mixing bowl. Stir until well combined. 
8. When the meatballs are done pour both sauces over them. If you are bringing this to a party you can put this in a crockpot to keep it warm all night.

NOW GO GRAB SOME OTHER AWESOME NEW YEAR’S EVE APPETIZERS

Veggie Dip by Julie Blanner | Meatballs with Cranberry Chili Sauce by Our Oily House |

Garlic Herb Sourdough Flatbread by Farmhouse on Boone | Baked Chicken Wings by The Cookie Rookie