Many people celebrate Oktoberfest in the fall. Here is a family favorite we make for our annual dinner at church. Flavorful meatballs in a sweet and sour sauce, loaded with sauerkraut and cranberries. Members of our church like these German Style Meatballs so much, they’ve come to expect it each year.
This recipe is so easy to prepare. You just need to make sure you have the necessary ingredients, as some of them may not be a regular item stocked in your pantry. These items (for me anyway) are: Onion Soup Mix, Sauerkraut, Chili Sauce, and Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce. It seems like a lot, but really, these meatballs are delicious! And who doesn’t like meatballs, right?
Another item worth noting is that this recipe works really well if you happen to have a lot of ground venison in your freezer. We eat a lot of deer meat, so I’m always looking for ways to use it.
You may serve these meatballs as appetizers or as a main dish. And it’s perfect for your next Oktoberfest potluck dinner!
Ingredients for German Style Meatballs
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Instructions for Making this Recipe
Preheat oven to 325°F. To begin, gather all your ingredients so that you have them in easy access at your workspace.
Make the Meatballs
Using a large stainless mixing bowl, mix together the ground beef, large egg, onion soup mix, and bread crumbs, making sure to combine everything thoroughly.
You’ll want to use a lean ground beef for this recipe. Ground venison also works really well. I like to use my hands to make the meatballs. You can also use crushed saltine crackers if you don’t have any bread crumbs.
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, shape the mixture into small meatballs.
Place in an oblong baking pan sprayed with baking spray. This should make enough meatballs to fill the pan, about 30 meatballs.
Prepare the Sauce
In a separate bowl, mix together the sauerkraut, whole cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and water.
Chili Sauce is one of those items I may not always have in my pantry, so here is an easy Homemade Version if you need it.
Spoon the sauce over the meatballs.
Bake the meatballs in preheated oven, uncovered for 2 hours. Allow to cool for 15 minutes and then turn the meatballs in the sauce. If you’re planning to take this to a potluck dinner, you may also opt to place the meatballs in a slow cooker to keep warm on low.
This recipe will easily serve 8-10 people. Serve as an Appetizer with toothpicks or a Main Dish at your next German Dinner or Oktoberfest Celebration.
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German Style Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean ground beef 80/20 (or ground venison works well, too)
- 1 large egg
- 1 package onion soup mix
- 1 cup bread crumbs or crushed saltine crackers
- 16 oz sauerkraut drained
- 14 oz whole berry cranberry sauce
- 12 oz chili sauce See Homemade Recipe Here.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 6 oz water fill half of empty Heinz bottle
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Instructions Click to Start Cooking
- Preheat oven to 325℉. Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.
- In a large stainless mixing bowl, mix together the ground beef, large egg, onion soup mix, and bread crumbs. (You can also use crushed saltine crackers in place of the bread crumbs.)
- Using a medium cookie scoop, shape into small meatballs. Place in an oblong baking pan sprayed with baking spray.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the drained sauerkraut, whole cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and water. Spoon mixture over the meatballs.
- Bake uncovered for 2 hours in preheated oven. Let set for 15 minutes and then turn the meatballs.
- If you're planning to take this to a potluck dinner, you may also opt to place the meatballs in a slow cooker to keep warm on low. Serves 8-10
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know how it turned out!
A friend of mine makes these for all the church dinners and there is never any left. They are soooo good. Great as appetizers too.
Hi Lorna, Thanks for stopping by to say hello. We really enjoy the German-style meatballs.
Can these meatballs be made the night before, then in crockpot to reheat the next day?
Hi Linda, Yes, you may certainly do that. It will work wonderfully!
Made this recipe before and it is sooooo delicious! Great stuff!
Thanks for stopping by, MJ! I’m glad you enjoyed the German Style Meatballs.
They were so quick to make & bake.
Very tasty sauce.
I’m gonna try using the sauce with other meats.
❤️
They were so quick to make & bake.
Very tasty sauce.
I’m gonna try using the sauce with other meats.
❤️
Hi
Can I freeze these? And if so when? Before I baked or after? Thank you
Hi Lindsey, Certainly, you may freeze the meatballs before baking. I haven’t tried freezing the dish after baking, but I think it would do well. Thanks for asking!
You bake them for 2 hours at 325? That seems like a long time!
Hi Robin, Yes, you bake at a low heat for 2 hours (325°F) and when it’s done, the sauce will be nice, thick, and juicy.
These are the best meatballs ever. Great for a pot luck. I’ve been making these for 30 years!
Thanks for sharing, Karen. 🙂