Appetizers are a must have for the Holiday season or anytime you have a gathering. Meatballs are easy to make, can be made ahead, and hold beautifully. All of that is true for Apple Cider Glazed Meatballs. Juicy little meatballs covered in a thick apple cider glaze that is sure to be a hit.
Even though Christmas is fast approaching, I still have a few Thanksgiving carryovers. Apple cider is not something I drink…just not a fan, but I had a recipe that called for it. Let me share this with you, at least in my neck of the woods you cannot buy just a small container of apple cider. The smallest amount I could find was a half gallon. What was I going to do with all the leftovers?
Apple cider sauce or better yet apple cider glaze would use up at least some of it. There is still entirely too much left so I will need to come up with another recipe….and soon!
But I digress. I hate to waste food and its just the nature of the beast in food blogs. As I stared into my refrigerator, I saw the makings for meatballs, plus I think Food Network was on in the background and meatballs were being made…meatballs it was!
Trying to keep with an apple-ish theme I added shredded apple to the meatball mixture. It turns out it added a little something tart and sweet in the background.
Other than the grated apple the meatballs are pretty straightforward. Use a small ice cream scoop to form your meatballs. You will have a consistent size and using the scoop they are all but formed for you — just a quick roll in your palm to get their round shape. I chose to bake mine, but you certainly can saute them if you like.
The glaze was easy to prepare as well and can be made ahead of time. Apple cider, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme reduce into a thick beautiful glaze that is the perfect coating for the apple meatballs.
Apple Cider Glazed Meatballs will be the perfect appetizer for your holiday gathering or that Sunday football game. Serve them with chunks of apple and pass the extra sauce.
Print
Apple Cider Glazed Meatballs
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 20-24 meatballs 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 cup granny smith apple, grated
3/4 cup panko crumbs
1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons fresh sage, finely chopped
1 egg slightly beaten
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
For the Glaze:
1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
Bake meatballs for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
For the Sauce:
Mix all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer sauce for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cook until sauce has reduced to a thick glaze. It should be able to coat the meatballs.
Place meatballs in a serving dish and drizzle with sauce. Serve extra sauce on the side and garnish with thyme leaves if desired.
Keywords: apple cider, ground beef, ground pork, granny smith apples, make ahead, appetizers, make ahead, holidays, game day
