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hot_biteMediumAmerican
Apple Cider Glazed Meatballs
Tender pork meatballs in a sweet-tangy apple cider reduction with hints of sage
⏱️ Prep: 20min🍳 Cook: 25min⏰ Total: 45min👥 Serves: 24🌡️ hot
⚠️ Contains: 🌾 Gluten, 🥚 Egg, 🥛 Dairy
Ingredients
- 1 lbground pork
- 0.5 cupbreadcrumbs
- 1egg(beaten)
- 2 tbspfresh sage(minced)
- 1 tspkosher salt
- 0.5 tspblack pepper
- 2 cupsapple cider
- 2 tbspapple cider vinegar
- 2 tbspbrown sugar
- 1 tbspDijon mustard
- 2 tbspbutter(cold)
📝 Make Ahead
Meatballs can be baked ahead and refrigerated. Reheat in glaze just before serving.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line baking sheet with parchment
- Combine pork, breadcrumbs, egg, half the sage, salt, and pepper in bowl
- Mix gently until just combined - don't overwork
- Form into 24 small meatballs, about 1 inch diameter
- Arrange on baking sheet and bake 15-18 minutes until cooked through
- Meanwhile, combine cider, vinegar, brown sugar, and mustard in saucepan
- Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer until reduced by half, about 15 minutes
- Whisk in cold butter and remaining sage
- Add baked meatballs to glaze and toss to coat
- Transfer to serving dish and drizzle with extra glaze
- Serve hot with toothpicks
💡 Pro Tips
Don't overmix the meat or meatballs will be tough. Small meatballs cook more evenly and are easier to eat. Reduce the cider enough that it coats a spoon - too thin and it won't stick. Cold butter swirled in at the end adds gloss and richness. Fresh sage is essential.
📜 History
This recipe marries the cocktail party classic - the meatball - with quintessential fall flavors. Apple cider has been central to American autumn traditions since colonial times, when every farm had an apple press. The sage complements pork naturally and adds an aromatic quality that signals the harvest season.
🍸 Pairs Well With
Brown Butter Old Fashioned
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Blood and Sand
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Three Wise Men
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Bourbon Milk Punch
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Maple Irish Coffee
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New England Sour
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Also pairs well with:
bourbonapple-brandyhard-ciderrye
