These spicy and sweet meatballs are perfect for any occasion. But what side dishes should you serve with them?.
In this post, your will find 20 easy and tasty options to complement your Cranberry Jalapeno Meatballs and create a perfect meal.
The best side dishes to serve with cranberry jalapeno meatballs are cauliflower mash, shepherds pie, yellow rice, brown rice, quinoa salad, hard boiled egg, scotch eggs, nachos, chow mein, mac and cheese pizza, roasted potatoes, green salad, buttered noodles, garlic spaghetti, cheese bread, curried sausages, creamy potatoes, and croutons.
Are you staring at that package of Amylu Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs wondering what to do with them? I’ve been there! These flavor-packed meatballs offer an incredible balance of sweet cranberry, spicy jalapeño, and savory chicken that makes them versatile for so many dishes beyond just the typical appetizer setup.
After experimenting with these meatballs countless times (and getting my family hooked on them), I’m excited to share my favorite serving suggestions that’ll transform these tasty morsels into impressive meals and snacks. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to elevate your weeknight dinner, these ideas will help you make the most of this delicious product.
Understanding the Flavor Profile
Before diving into serving suggestions, let’s appreciate what makes these meatballs special:
- Sweet and tart cranberries provide a fruity, slightly acidic element
- Jalapeños deliver a mild to moderate heat that’s balanced by the sweetness
- Savory chicken forms the foundation that ties everything together
This unique combination makes them incredibly adaptable – you can emphasize the sweetness, highlight the heat, or complement the savory notes depending on how you serve them.
Quick Heating Methods
Since Amylu meatballs typically come pre-cooked. you just need to heat them properly
- Oven: Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until heated through
- Microwave: Heat on high for 1-2 minutes (perfect when you’re in a hurry!)
- Skillet: Sauté with a bit of olive oil for 5-7 minutes over medium heat
- Air Fryer: 8-10 minutes at 375°F, flipping halfway through
- Slow Cooker: Add to your favorite sauce and cook on low for 2-3 hours
Pro tip: To prevent the meatballs from drying out in the oven, add a splash of water or broth to the baking dish and cover with foil for the first half of heating.
Appetizer Ideas That Will Impress Your Guests
1. Skewered Delights
Put meatballs on skewers and add pineapple, bell pepper, and red onion chunks. These are even better with a light brush of teriyaki glaze! I made them for my last book club meeting and they were gone in minutes.
2. Creamy Meatball Dip
Mix heated and slightly chopped meatballs with:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon honey
Serve with crackers, baguette slices, or veggie sticks. It’s dangerously addictive!
3. Mini Meatball Sliders
This is my husband’s absolute favorite! Place meatballs on mini brioche buns with:
- A dollop of cranberry sauce
- A slice of pepper jack cheese
- Optional: arugula or baby spinach
4. Glazed Cocktail Meatballs
Simmer the meatballs in your favorite sauce. Some great options include:
- Sweet chili sauce
- BBQ sauce with a splash of cranberry juice
- Teriyaki sauce with a hint of orange zest
- Honey garlic sauce (my personal favorite!)
Main Course Magic
5. Pasta Powerhouse
Toss heated meatballs with fettuccine or penne and your choice of:
- Creamy Alfredo sauce
- Tangy tomato sauce
- Pesto cream sauce
For extra health, mix in some baby spinach or kale that wilts in the hot pasta. This is something our family makes at least twice a month!
6. Rice Bowl Revolution
Create a vibrant rice bowl with:
- Steamed jasmine or brown rice
- Halved or quartered meatballs
- Roasted broccoli or brussels sprouts
- Drizzle of sriracha mayo
- Sprinkle of sesame seeds
7. Stuffed Bell Peppers
This is a great way to stretch a package of meatballs:
- Hollow out bell peppers
- Mix chopped meatballs with cooked rice and diced vegetables
- Stuff the mixture into peppers
- Bake until peppers are tender (about 30-35 minutes at 375°F)
8. Meatballs & Polenta
This might be my favorite fancy-but-easy dinner option:
- Prepare creamy polenta according to package directions
- Top with heated meatballs
- Add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese
- Finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze
Creative Culinary Concepts
9. Pizza Perfection
Use the meatballs as a pizza topping! Slice them thinly and add:
- Mozzarella cheese
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Fresh cilantro after baking
- Optional: a drizzle of sweet chili sauce
10. Salad Sensations
Add sliced meatballs to a mixed green salad with:
- Crumbled goat cheese
- Toasted pecans
- Dried cranberries
- Cranberry vinaigrette
This makes for a delicious lunch that won’t leave you hungry an hour later!
11. Taco Temptation
Crumble the meatballs and use them as a filling for tacos, topped with:
- Shredded cabbage or coleslaw
- Fresh pico de gallo
- Lime crema (mix lime juice with sour cream)
- Sliced avocado
12. Meatball Soup
Add quartered meatballs to:
- Chicken broth
- Diced vegetables (carrots, celery, onion)
- A handful of pasta or rice
- Fresh herbs
Perfect for cold winter nights when you need something comforting!
13. Breakfast Hash
For a surprising breakfast twist:
- Dice the meatballs
- Sauté with diced potatoes and bell peppers
- Top with a fried egg
- Add a splash of hot sauce if desired
14. Stuffed Mushrooms
Remove stems from large mushroom caps, fill with a mixture of:
- Chopped meatballs
- Cream cheese
- Breadcrumbs
- Herbs
Bake until mushrooms are tender and filling is hot.
15. Lettuce Wraps
Serve diced meatballs in butter lettuce cups with:
- Shredded carrots
- Bean sprouts
- Chopped peanuts
- Sweet chili sauce
FAQ About Amylu Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs
Does this meatball really have a lot of heat? The heat level is usually mild to moderate. The sweetness of cranberry balances the jalapeño nicely. If you are sensitive to spice, you may taste the heat, but most people like how well-balanced they are.
Can I freeze these meatballs?Absolutely! They freeze exceptionally well. They will last up to three months if you put them in a container that can go in the freezer.
How long do they last in the refrigerator?
Once cooked, they’ll stay fresh for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Are they gluten-free?
You’ll need to check the specific package, as formulations can vary. Some Amylu products are gluten-free, while others contain gluten ingredients.
What sauces pair best with these meatballs?
Sweet chili sauce, cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, and teriyaki sauce all work beautifully. My personal favorite is a mixture of apricot preserves and dijon mustard – sounds weird but tastes amazing!
Can I make these meatballs from scratch?
Yes! While Amylu offers a convenient pre-made option, you can find recipes online for homemade versions using ground chicken, dried cranberries, fresh jalapeños, breadcrumbs, and seasonings.
Final Thoughts
The versatility of Amylu Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs makes them a fantastic ingredient to keep on hand. From quick appetizers to impressive main courses, these flavor-packed meatballs can transform ordinary meals into something special.
I always keep a package in my freezer for those nights when I need a quick dinner option or when unexpected guests drop by. Their unique sweet-spicy-savory profile works in so many different contexts that they never get boring!
What’s your favorite way to serve these meatballs? I’m always looking for new ideas to try at our family dinners!
Cranberry Jalapeno Meatballs Sides
Do you want to experiment with your side dish and make it healthy? In that case, serve cranberry jalapeno meatballs with cauliflower mash. It is a beautiful version of potato mash but with low calories and more benefits.
You can also try carrot mash and make it with the same recipe.
It is always a good idea to serve something buttery and filling with cranberry jalapeno meatballs. So, if you agree, we recommend eating shepherds pie as a side dish.
It has butter, carrots, corn, onion, and ground beef for a complete dish. If you want to make it more wholesome, add a few pieces of cheddar or parmesan cheese before cooking.
The best side dish with these meatballs is rice. You can serve all different types of rice, yellow rice being our favorite.
This dish has turmeric, making it healthier than other recipes. Besides, it is light with a mild flavor. These characteristics ensure that you enjoy the flavors of your main appetizer or dish to the fullest.
Suppose you are on a diet but cant resist cranberry jalapeno meatballs. In that case, enjoy the meatballs with a serving of brown rice instead of yellow or white.
Brown rice has more fibers and fewer carbs. This makes this rice dish healthy and filling. Read the tagged recipe to make quick brown rice in your instant pot.
This salad is pretty quick to make and is highly refreshing. Quinoa has a mild flavor, making it perfect for enjoying meatballs with a saucy base.
You can make this salad within a few minutes by adding all your favorite vegetables. If you are not sure what to add, read the tagged recipe and enjoy.
Can you serve a hard-boiled egg as a side dish? You definitely can, and believe us; it tastes beautiful with jalapeno meatballs.
There is no complicated science required to make the best hard-boiled eggs. Read the recipe and get your Instant Pot ready to make a great treat if you’ve never made them before.
Take your egg game to a higher level and serve yourself some scotch eggs. While you will love having them for breakfast, enjoy scotch eggs with cranberry jalapeno meatballs and experience a blend of new flavors.
We assure you that you wont be disappointed.
Make sure that these scotch eggs are fresh and warm before serving.
Nachos with meatballs? Why not?! Crispy nachos and soft and tender cranberry jalapeno meatballs make a great pair.
The sauce of your main dish makes a perfect dip for your nachos, while the meatballs offer the meaty touch. This combination is worth trying, and if you dont know how to cook nachos, we have an excellent recipe to follow.
Serve yourself chow mein with cranberry jalapeno meatballs. The combination is worth every bite and the juicy meatballs blend perfectly with the noodles.
To make the best chow mein, add all your favorite vegetables like broccoli, carrots, green beans, chicken broth and ramen noodles. You will forget all the Chinese restaurants after making chow mein at home.
If you have kids coming over, serve cranberry jalapeno meatballs with mac and cheese pizza. This pizza recipe is unique, with the right mild flavor and perfect cheese to make anyones day.
You can also make the pizza spicy by sprinkling some red chili flakes on top.
Roasted potatoes have a crusty exterior and a soft interior. You can make them wholesome by roasting these potatoes with various herbs.
Serve these potatoes with your saucy meatballs and enjoy amazing flavors.
You may find the flavor of cranberry jalapeno meatballs too strong to handle. In that case, you must serve it with a green salad to cut through various dominating ingredients.
There are bell peppers, salad, onions, mixed greens, tomato, onion and garlic powder, and many other things in the tagged green salad recipe. Use a balsamic vinegar dressing and enjoy both dishes for lunch.
Do you know what is great about an apple walnut salad? It is sweet and savory with a perfect crunch. Besides, this salad has apples that taste divine with the cranberry sauce in your meatballs.
Thankfully, making this salad is so easy. You mostly have to mix the given ingredients and serve them in a bowl or plate.
Have you heard of or tried salsa verde? This is a traditional recipe for green salsa that is full of flavor. This salsa adds spice to your meatballs and makes them more flavorful.
You can also pour the salsa on your nachos and then top them with meatballs and experience an all-rounder meal.
Nothing tastes more comforting than buttered meatballs with cranberry jalapeno meatballs. Buttered noodles use parmesan cheese and parsley to give you a no-fuss lunch or dinner.
These noodles are so tempting and scrumptious that even your kids will find them appetizing.
When serving them together, make a bed of these noodles and pour the meatballs from the top.
Just like buttered noodles, garlic spaghetti doesnt disappoint you. They have the perfect garlicky flavor and are enriched with oregano and cheese that you will love having them for dinner every time.
Again, serve them with meatballs and enjoy these two dishes together.
If you love garlic or pizza bread, you will definitely like this cheese bread. This bread is soft and scrumptious and goes great with cranberry jalapeno meatballs.
Whats more, you wont have to sacrifice any flavors when eating this bread. It perfectly compliments the saucy dish, allowing you to have the amazing meal of your dreams.
Raise your hands if you love curried sausages. The dish is perfect for lunch and dinner and tastes divine with cranberry jalapeno meatballs.
You can make the curry less or more spicy, depending on your preference.
There is nothing that creamy garlic potatoes cant sort. Potatoes in a creamy sauce are perfect and gel well with jalapeno meatballs. Both dishes have different flavors but magically complement each other.
You can read the tagged recipe o make the rich, creamy sauce for the potatoes and make a serving for you and your friends.
We know that croutons are readily available in grocery shops, but homemade croutons are matchless. You can make them using your own ingredients without any preservatives.
Besides, croutons can be made according to your serving size and used as you wish. They add the ideal crunch to your cranberry jalapeno meatballs, making the dish more scrumptious and beautiful.
Whether you have family or friends coming over or you plan to have a movie night alone, make cranberry jalapeno meatballs at home and serve them with your chosen side dishes. Our side dishes are perfect for making you smile and fill your heart with lots of gratitude.
Side Dishes For Cranberry Jalapeno Meatballs
- Cauliflower mash
- Shepherds pie
- Yellow rice
- Brown rice
- Quinoa salad
- Hard boiled egg
- Scotch eggs
- Nachos
- Chow mein
- Mac and cheese pizza
- Roasted potatoes
- Green salad
- Apple walnut salad
- Salsa Verde
- Buttered noodles
- Garlic spaghetti
- Cheese bread
- Curried sausages
- Creamy garlic potatoes
- Croutons
