Mediterranean Meatballs with a Cinnamon-Pomegranate Glaze

You guys know, I have a thing for Mediterranean food. I mean, ever since I came back from Israel, I have had an obsession with the flavor profiles of the food. I’ve tried to integrate that into every recipe I can possibly create. This one is no different. I took the traditional Meatball that is sometimes served as an appetizer, added some Cinnamon and allspices to it, and here we have it! I created a festive winter glaze with pomegranate juice and balsamic vinegar. You will be going crazy for this easy holiday app, trust me!

Did you know? In Greece and in the Mediterranean – they used the prized spice, Cinnamon not only for desserts like Baklava, but also in savory dishes to help add flavor to low quality meat? That is why in a lot of traditional Greek dishes, you will notice the cinnamon flavor.

I added cinnamon in the meatballs and the glaze, and it came out perfectly. You can definitely smell the holiday aromas as you make this easy holiday app, and?… it’s delicious.

A couple of pro tips as you are making this easy holiday app:

Have you ever cooked a steak on the stove top and then put it in the oven? That is exactly what we are doing here, except we aren’t putting it in the oven, we are just slowly cooking it on the stove top after we sear all of the sides together.

So, start out with the meatballs on high-heat rotating frequently so they don’t burn, then lower the meat to medium-low heat and cook until meatballs are done (8-10 minutes).

You will love how easy these meatballs are, and friends, they’re surprisingly tasty. I just have one request! Don’t write me off! Don’t read this recipe and say nope… can’t do cinnamon in my meat. You will be shocked at how much you love it! You will be coming back for more easy Holiday apps with a Greek twist!

Mediterranean Meatballs with a Cinnamon-Pomegranate Glaze

---

★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

No reviews

• Author: Abby Turner
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 12–16 meatballs 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 shallot, finely diced
• 1 lb ground beef or bison
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, cinnamon, oregano, thyme and nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon of salt, to taste
• ½ cup of breadcrumbs
• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• Dash of nutmeg, cinnamon, and thyme
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• 1/4 bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped for garnish
• ½ cup Pomegranate arils, for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

To Make Glaze:  (best case-make night before… but not imperative for a good glaze)

1. Over medium-high heat cook 2 tablespoons of olive oil and finely diced shallots until fragrant. 
2. Add pomegranate juice, honey, and balsamic vinegar and boil together. 
3. Reduce to simmer and add the dash of nutmeg, cinnamon, and thyme.  
4. Lastly, add salt and pepper to taste (I find usually I don’t need either). 
5. Remove from heat and let sit until ready to serve.  The longer you let it sit, the thicker it will get and the better it will be. 

 

To Make Meatballs: 

1. Mix meat, garlic powder, cinnamon, oregano, thyme and nutmeg (could also sub for garlic powder, cinnamon and allspice). 
2. Add breadcrumbs and salt and form 12-16 meatballs.  I like to make my meatballs a bit larger as they are appetizer meatballs. 
3. Over high-heat heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and put meatballs in skillet. 
4. Rotating frequently, fry all sides of meatballs and then reduce heat to medium-low. 
5. Over the next 8-10 minutes, rotate to avoid burning.
6. Remove from heat and plate. 
7. Drizzle glaze on top and finish with parsley and pomegranate arils. 

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes

Want more Easy Holiday appetizers:

Like it? Love it?  Think it’s super yummy? Share this blog post with a friend, tag me on Instagram using @atabletopaffair, and have dinner with your friends and use #atabletopaffair!