Cranberry Feta Meatballs Chili

Featured in: Game Day Snacks

These tender turkey meatballs are enriched with crumbled feta and chopped dried cranberries, offering a delightful mix of savory and tangy flavors. Baked until golden, they are served warm with a lively sweet chili sauce flavored with soy, honey, and lime for a bright finish. An easy, festive crowd-pleaser suitable for appetizers or a main dish, elevated by fresh herbs and gentle spices.

Updated on Sun, 16 Nov 2025 08:28:00 GMT
Golden-brown cranberry feta meatballs, drizzled with sweet chili sauce, perfect for a party appetizer. Save to Pinterest
Golden-brown cranberry feta meatballs, drizzled with sweet chili sauce, perfect for a party appetizer. | yummywithmia.com

Juicy turkey meatballs studded with tangy feta and cranberries, served with vibrant sweet chili sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or festive main course.

I first tried these cranberry feta meatballs during a holiday gathering. Everyone loved the punchy blend of sweet, tangy, and savory notes, and I have made them for cozy celebrations ever since.

Ingredients

  • Ground turkey: 500 g (1 lb)
  • Feta cheese: 100 g (1 cup), crumbled
  • Dried cranberries: 60 g (1/2 cup), roughly chopped
  • Egg: 1 large
  • Breadcrumbs: 60 g (1/2 cup)
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped
  • Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon
  • Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
  • Sweet chili sauce: 120 ml (1/2 cup), store-bought or homemade
  • Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
  • Honey: 1 tablespoon
  • Fresh lime juice: 1 tablespoon

Instructions

Prep Oven:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make Meatball Mixture:
In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, feta, cranberries, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined (do not overwork).
Form Meatballs:
Scoop out heaping tablespoons of mixture and roll into balls (about 24). Place evenly spaced on prepared baking sheet.
Bake Meatballs:
Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown.
Make Sauce:
While meatballs bake, whisk sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, and lime juice in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring, until heated through.
Finish and Serve:
Transfer baked meatballs to serving platter. Drizzle with warm sweet chili sauce, or serve sauce on the side for dipping. Garnish with extra chopped parsley if desired.
Savory cranberry feta meatballs with a glistening sweet chili glaze, ready to serve as a delicious meal. Save to Pinterest
Savory cranberry feta meatballs with a glistening sweet chili glaze, ready to serve as a delicious meal. | yummywithmia.com

My family always expects these meatballs at our winter parties, and it feels special seeing everyone reach for seconds together.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these meatballs with rice or alongside crunchy salads for a complete meal. They are perfect with toothpicks for easy party bites.

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (feta cheese), eggs, gluten (breadcrumbs), and soy (soy sauce). Be sure to check all store-bought ingredients especially if serving allergy-sensitive guests.

Required Tools

Mixing bowl, baking sheet, parchment paper, small saucepan, whisk or spoon

Close-up of baked cranberry feta meatballs showcased with a vibrant sweet chili sauce, ready to eat. Save to Pinterest
Close-up of baked cranberry feta meatballs showcased with a vibrant sweet chili sauce, ready to eat. | yummywithmia.com

Enjoy these delicious meatballs warm for maximum flavor. They taste just as good reheated the next day!

Common Recipe Questions

Can ground chicken be used instead of turkey?

Yes, ground chicken works well as a substitute, providing a similar texture and flavor profile.

How should the sweet chili sauce be prepared?

Mix sweet chili sauce with soy sauce, honey, and fresh lime juice, then warm gently over low heat before serving.

What is the best way to shape the meat mixture?

Use heaping tablespoons to scoop and gently roll the mixture into even-sized balls without overworking the ingredients.

Can these meatballs be made spicier?

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture for extra heat without overpowering the flavors.

How long should these meatballs bake?

Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 18 to 20 minutes until cooked through and lightly golden on the outside.

Cranberry Feta Meatballs Chili

Turkey meatballs blended with feta and cranberries, complemented by a vibrant sweet chili glaze.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Cooking Duration
25 minutes
Overall Time
45 minutes
Created by Mia

Recipe Type Game Day Snacks

Skill Level Easy

Culinary Origin American

Total Output 6 Portion Size

Dietary Preferences None specified

What You'll Need

Meatballs

01 1 lb ground turkey
02 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
03 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
04 1 large egg
05 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
06 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
08 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Sweet Chili Sauce

01 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce (store-bought or homemade)
02 1 tablespoon soy sauce
03 1 tablespoon honey
04 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Prepare oven and baking sheet: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 02

Combine meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, gently mix ground turkey, feta, cranberries, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper until just combined without overworking.

Step 03

Form meatballs: Scoop heaping tablespoons of mixture and shape into approximately 24 meatballs. Arrange evenly on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 04

Bake meatballs: Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and golden brown.

Step 05

Prepare sweet chili sauce: While meatballs bake, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, and lime juice in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring until heated through.

Step 06

Serve: Transfer meatballs to a serving platter and drizzle with warm sweet chili sauce or serve the sauce on the side.

Step 07

Garnish: Optionally, garnish with additional chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Tools Required

  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Small saucepan
  • Whisk

Allergy Warnings

Please review individual ingredients for potential allergens and reach out to a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (feta), eggs, gluten (breadcrumbs), and soy (soy sauce). Verify cross-contamination on store-bought products.

Nutritional Info (per serving)

These details are for reference only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Calories Count: 60
  • Fats: 2.5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 5 grams
  • Proteins: 4 grams