These Cranberry Orange Meatballs are one of my most requested appetizers! They are tart, sweet and very fruity! Also, they are gluten and lactose / dairy free!
I spent a week contemplating what to make for Easter. I had my heart set on a brunch and since Mom was coming, I wanted to make everything Lactose and Gluten Free! Naturally that adds an additional challenge, especially with a brunch! I have mentioned our world class, locally owned grocery chain before, Wegman’s. They have just about anything you can think of, especially great International and Specialty food departments!
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I came up with a bunch of ideas, finally deciding on; Gluten free Coconut Pancakes with Raspberry Syrup, Spanish Chorizo and Clam Rice Casserole, Spinach and Egg Mini Frittata, Shrimp and Cheesy Grits, Fruit Salad, and Cranberry Orange Meatballs. They all turned out really well. Everyone loved the Coconut Pancakes but I’d like to tweak them a bit. I’m feeling a dessert crepe??.. perhaps.
I actually looked for quite some time for a lactose free ‘cheese’ and was very skeptical that I would find one. It was requisite for both the Spanish Rice Casserole and the Shrimp and Grits. So I went to Wegman’s on Easter Sunday at 8 AM with no worries because I knew I would find what I needed. After all, it was Wegman’s and I was car-less on Saturday. I was directed to a ‘Lactose free’ cheese that had both Casein and buttermilk powder. Either of which would have made my Mom sick for a week!
I’ve done a lot of research on labeling since then, according to the FDA and USDA websites, this cheese should have had a label of ‘Lactose Reduced’. I’ll have to do some more specific research and let you know what I find..
Anyway, I digress, I finally found the right person at Wegman’s, who was unpacking the vegan dairy free grated cheddar style cheese. It was unbelievably good! I was pleasantly surprised! My favorite was the Shrimp and Cheesy Grits! I’ll share the recipe next week!
I would strongly encourage if you are feeding someone who is severely allergic to Lactose, CAREFULLY check the label!
The following is a partial list of potential culprits from the FDA website;
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milk
cream
butter
evaporated milk
condensed milk
dried milk
powdered milk
milk solids
margarine
cheese
whey
curds
I will add…
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sodium caseinate
casein
buttermilk anything
BE CAREFUL!!
Even things you wouldn’t think would have any Lactose in them, such as hot dogs and sausages, have fillers that contain Lactose!
These Cranberry Orange Meatballs were a huge hit! Zero left by the end of brunch! I’m making them again tomorrow for a Ladies Luncheon I’m attending!
I used to mince the onion and garlic for my meatballs but Rachael Ray suggests grating them over the bowl with your meat. This is far superior, as the flavor gets into the meat and none of the meatballs have any large chunks!
You can use a variety of substitutions for bread crumbs. In this case I used rice chex that I ground up with my food processor. You can also use corn chex, corn flakes or cornmeal. I have even used leftover cooked rice for the bread crumbs.
Everyone that has tried these meatballs raves about them! They are extra moist and tender, and very, very fruity! Try these! These Salmon Balls are super good too! I hope you like today’s post for Cranberry Orange Meatballs!
Enjoy! And have fun cooking!
Sweet and tangy sauce gives this appetizer meatball a different kick!
- 1 pound ground beef or a mixture of beef , pork, venison, lamb, chicken or turkey
- 4 small cloves garlic , about 2 teaspoons
- 2 Tbsp Onion
- 1 egg , whisked
- 1/2 c rice chex , or corn chex, corn flakes, corn meal
- 1/4 c cashew milk
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- 1/4 tsp sage
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 can jellied cranberry sauce (14 oz.)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- Juice and zest form one orange , preferably a juice orange NOTE: Using all of the zest from the orange gives the sauce a strong orange flavor. 90% of taste tasters loved it. The other 10% preferred the sauce when I only used about 2 tsp. of Zest!
- 2 Tbsp sherry
- 1 Tbsp fresh ginger , grated
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Preheat oven to 375°F
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Place the beef in a medium mixing bowl.
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Grate the onion and garlic directly into the same bowl to collect the juice too.
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Add egg.
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Pulse the chex in a food processor until fine; Soak chex in the milk for a few minutes. Add to meat.
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Add sage, thyme, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly but gently. Don't over work.
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Shape with a tablespoon so the meatballs are all approximately the same size.
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Place meatballs on a baking sheet.
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Bake for about 20-25 minutes, until golden and cooked through, 165°F.
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While meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce
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Place all ingredients In a small saucepan over medium low heat, stirring occasionally. Sauce will thicken up nicely and should be ready about the same time as the meatballs are cooked through.
Great article Thanks for sharing.
These cranberry meatballs look outstanding! Great idea for a holiday party. Thanks.
Thanks Dan! We love them! You are right, they are great for the holidays! I hope you enjoy them too!
What an informative article! I didn’t even realize those products contain lactose…it’s always best to make your own when you can so you know everything that goes into what you make. Thank you for sharing. These cocktail meatballs look delicious!
Thank you so much, Catherine! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Yes, homemade is always best!
These would be great for a party! Thanks for sharing
I have to take them to every party! They are always requested~ Thank you Jaime!
I’m sooo loving your recipe and it’s so easy to make too. Thanks for sharing the step-by-step process and I hope to try this soon.
Thank you Molly! So glad you enjoyed it!
Using corn flakes in your meatballs is brilliant and so flavourful! I love how juicy these are too! Definitely a fun way to switch it up from the usual breadcrumbs 🙂
I use corn flakes a lot in meatballs. It adds a great flavor! Thanks Joyce!
I love appetizer meatballs and these look outstanding! Makes me want to pick up a few eat them. But since I don’t live near you, I’ll just have to make your recipe! Yummy Beth!
They are sooo good! You will love them Elaine! Thanks!
Thank you for the recipe. Perfect timing! I am going to visit a friend next week. I should bring this Cranberry Orange Meatballs.
They are great to bring to serve with company! Thanks, Melve!
They look amazing, I love the flavours you have got going on here… We’ll likely be eating out for Easter after a trip to a thermal spa, so no need for cooking for a change 😀
Wow! That sounds like fun! Thanks, Brian!
Thank you for all the information you shared about lactose-free ingredients. Luckily I don’t have any allergy in the family and I don’t have this constraint, but Francesco was lactose intolerant when he was a baby. I like your idea of substituting bread crumbs with rice. I will try
It really works out very well. The meatballs stay nice and moist! Thanks, Laura!
Too tempted to try the combination of orange and cranberry. Pinned it.
Thank you so much, Renu!!