German Style Meatballs

German Style Meatballs

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We make these meatballs for our annual Oktoberfest at church. Flavorful meatballs in a sweet and sour sauce, loaded with sauerkraut and cranberries. Click to Tweet

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.

Serve German Meatballs as Appetizers or Main Dish - Served on Pfaltzgraff Farmhouse Hen Appetizer Plates(Post modified with new pictures on 10/11/23.)

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.

Baked Uncovered on Low Heat for Two HoursYou may serve these meatballs as appetizers or as a main dish. And it’s perfect for your next Oktoberfest potluck dinner!

 

 

 

See More Meatball Recipes

 

Ingredients for German Style Meatballs

(See full recipe at the bottom of this post.)

  • lean ground beef (80/20 or ground venison)
  • large egg
  • onion soup mix
  • plain bread crumbs or crushed saltine crackers

Sauce

 

Instructions for Making this Recipe

Ingredients for this RecipePreheat oven to 325 degrees. To begin, gather all your ingredients so that you have them in easy access at your workspace.

 

Make the Meatballs

Mix Ingredients Together for MeatballsUsing a large stainless mixing bowl, mix together the ground burger, 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.

Use a Medium Cookie Scoop to Form Meatballs then Roll in your HandsUsing a cookie scoop or spoon, shape the mixture into small meatballs.

This Recipe will Make Enough Meatballs to Fill an Oblong Baking PanPlace in an oblong baking pan sprayed with baking spray. This should make enough meatballs to fill the pan, about 30 meatballs.

 

Prepare the Sauce

Add Sauce Ingredients and Mix to CombineIn 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 Sauce over the Uncooked MeatballsSpoon the sauce over the meatballs.

 

Baked Meatballs - Baked in Glass Oblong Baking Dish for Easy CleanupBake the meatballs, 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.

Serve Meatballs as an Appetizer with Toothpicks - Served in USA Brown BowlThis 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.

Recipe for German Spaetzle with CabbageI like to serve these meatballs with Bierocks and/or German Spaetzle with Cabbage. Guten Appetit!

Wine Recommendations – Serve with a Dry Riesling such as Chateau Michelle Riesling or a favorite Gewurztraminer.

See more German Recipes Here. Browse Main Dishes Here. View Appetizes Here.

 

Featured Image - Recipe for German Style Meatballs

German Style Meatballs

Many people celebrate Oktoberfest with German food. Here is a family favorite we make for our annual German Dinner at church. Great with Bierocks and/or Spaetzel.
5 from 3 votes
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: German
Keyword: Chili Sauce, Cranberry Sauce, Ground Beef, Ground Venison, Meatballs, Onion Soup Mix, Sauerkraut
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 15

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

Cranberry Sauce

  • 16 oz sauerkraut drained
  • 14 oz whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 12 oz Heinz Chili Sauce See Homemade Recipe Here.
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 6 oz water fill half of empty Heinz bottle

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.

Prepare the Meatballs

  • In a large stainless mixing bowl, mix together the ground burger, 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.

Make the Sauce

  • 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

Notes

*Wine Recommendations - Serve with a Dry Riesling such as Chateau Michelle Riesling or a favorite Gewurztraminer. 

Nutrition

Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 910mg | Potassium: 408mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 189IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 3mg
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