Pomegranate Cocktail Meatballs

These Pomegranate Cocktail Meatballs are your answer to the perfect party appetizer. Plump, delicious meatballs are baked then tossed with an incredible pomegranate glaze. The perfect cocktail meatballs.

Christmas is over for another year and it seems like every year around this time when I want to share some sort of party appetizer for your New Year’s party, I usually settle on meatballs. What does that say about me? Probably that I love my meatballs and I’m proud of it. I also didn’t share anything with you for the last Meatball Monday Mania, so I’m making up for it now.

Have you ever had meatballs with a pomegranate glaze before?

They are the flavor bomb. Seriously!

You take a bite and a burst of flavor explosions happens. You know the saying “party in my mouth”, well that’s what happens.

Let’s talk meatballs! I’ve said this before and I’m going to say it again. FORGET the frozen meatballs. Forget they even exist. Who knows what goes into them. Always always make your own, because it really doesn’t take any time at all. Trust me on this. It’s so worth it to put that little extra effort time into making your own meatballs. Plus, this is something you can make with your kids and have fun, and teach them how to cook.

No more frozen meatballs!

These meatballs are probably more Moroccan inspired if I were to pick a cuisine, but then not really, I’ve added lots of parsley, green onions and some cumin, among the other basic meatball ingredients. Very fresh looking and fresh tasting.

I also baked these but check out the recipe notes for frying instructions. I usually bake my meatballs when I’m looking for less hassle, you just pop them in the oven and wait. I made these meatballs a bit larger than I normally do because I wanted a 2 bite meatball. If you’re serving these at a party, and someone takes a meatball, I wanted to make sure they get enough in that little appetizer. Not that they won’t be coming for more, because trust me, they will.

And lastly, let’s not forget that pomegranate glaze because that is the star of these meatballs. It’s sweet, it’s tart, and it’s amazing over these meatballs. Don’t expect this to thicken too much, it will thicken a bit, but mostly you cook it so that it reduces and slightly thickens and develops those deep flavors. So good though. My favorite part about making these is garnishing them with pomegranate seeds and green onions. It just makes them look festive and yummy.

Try more of my awesome meatball recipes like these Thai Meatball Lettuce Wraps!

If you try this recipe, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #jocooks on Instagram so we can see it. I always love to see what you guys come up with!

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Pomegranate Cocktail Meatballs

5 from 1 vote

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 40 mins

Total: 55 mins

Author: Joanna Cismaru

Serves: 15

Print Pin Rate

These Pomegranate Cocktail Meatballs are your answer to the perfect party appetizer. Plump, delicious meatballs are baked then tossed with an incredible pomegranate glaze. The perfect cocktail meatballs.

Ingredients

Meatballs

• 1 lb ground beef lean
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs I used Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup parsley chopped
• 4 green onions chopped
• 1 tsp cumin ground
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Pomegranate Glaze

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion chopped
• 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup, or agave syrup
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Garnish

• 3 green onions chopped
• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make the meatballs:

• Preheat your oven to 400 F degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl combine all the meatball ingredients together. 
• Form the meat mixture into large size meatballs. You should end up with about 15 large meatballs. 
• Please the meatballs on the baking sheet and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or until done to your liking.

Make the pomegranate glaze:

• Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add the rest of the glaze ingredients to the saucepan, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and continue cooking for about 15 to 20 minutes until it reduces to about 1/2 a cup and it slightly thickens.
• Place the meatballs into a bowl and pour the glaze over the meatballs, then toss making sure all the meatballs are covered in the glaze. 
• Garnish with pomegranate seeds and green onions.

Recipe Notes

Can I use any other type of meat: Any ground meat would work. Ground lamb would be wonderful with this type of glaze, but feel free to use ground pork or ground chicken. You can also combine meats like ground pork and ground beef together.

Is the sauce sweet: The sauce is not too sweet but also a bit tart from the pomegranate juice. If you like a sweeter sauce feel free to adjust the honey quantity.

Can I fry these: Yes! Heat about a tbsp of oil in a skillet then add the meatballs and fry until golden all around, should take about 7 to 10 minutes.

Can I make these ahead: Yes! Meatballs usually reheat really well. If you're making these ahead, store the sauce separately in another container in the fridge. Before ready to serve reheat the sauce either in the microwave or in a small saucepan. To reheat the meatballs just reheat them in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. After everything has been reheated, pour the glaze over the meatballs, garnish and serve.

Can I freeze these meatballs: Yes! Follow the instructions for making these ahead, and store them in the freezer separately both in an airtight container.

How do I store leftovers: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days.

Nutrition: If you're making these larger as I did, 2 bite meatballs, you will get around 15 meatballs. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1meatballCalories: 133kcal (7%)Carbohydrates: 9g (3%)Protein: 6g (12%)Fat: 7g (11%)Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)Cholesterol: 33mg (11%)Sodium: 172mg (7%)Potassium: 183mg (5%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin A: 160IU (3%)Vitamin C: 3mg (4%)Calcium: 24mg (2%)Iron: 1.1mg (6%)

Course:Appetizer

Cuisine:American

Keyword:cocktail meatballs, meatball recipe

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