BBQ Cranberry Black Bean Meatballs

Sweet and tangy with a hint of smoke and herbs, these easy BBQ cranberry black bean meatballs are the perfect vegan party food or appetizer for your next holiday get-together! Naturally vegan, gluten free, and soy free, you can make these bean balls from start to finish in just 30 minutes.

And if you’re really rushed, it ain’t no biggie to make them a day ahead, pop them in a travel dish, and heat on arrival. For more vegan party food, serve this delicious smoky vegan cheese ball, easy guacamole and spicy salsa with chips, and this ramen noodle salad too.

Black bean meatballs are the perfect vegan party food

Vegan party food can be tricky to serve if you are trying to satisfy tastes across the board.

Picky eaters, or guests that think vegan food is “weird” can certainly throw a wrench (or candy cane?) into your holiday festivities. When I first went vegan back in 2010, I can testify that I personally struggled with trying to create dishes that would satisfy both the veg and the anti-veg, in hopes of being spared from any furrowed brows.

Thankfully, despite self-doubts that set in minutes before any party, I’ve always had an overall positive reaction to my vegan party food.

Yes, there have been times when someone got a little too sloshed on spiked cider and rolled out their list of complaints about vegans, or got hung up on the letters V, E, G, A, N, written in that exact order on the index card in front of my party dish. But mostly, I’ve been quite successful in my attempts to please the hungry crowd (and avoid the line of fire).

Because at the end of the day, when your food tastes good, it makes people happy, regardless if it’s vegan or not. And I always aim to make people happy, ESPECIALLY when it comes to food. Which is why I know that these BBQ cranberry black bean meatballs are the perfect appetizer for any holiday party.

Recipe ingredients

Here’s what you need for these simple black bean meatballs, plus substitutions if needed.

• Black beans. I like using canned black beans to make this recipe a snap.
• Rolled oats. This adds texture to your black bean meatballs, and keeps them gluten free.
• Whole berry cranberry sauce. Be sure to get whole berry, and look out for gelatin (which is not vegan).
• Mixed nuts. I like to use a simple peanut-free mixture (like pecans, walnuts, pistachios, etc.). You can also substitute with ground flaxseed or gluten free pinko breadcrumbs if needed.
• BBQ sauce. I like using a sweet tangy BBQ sauce.
• Liquid smoke. This adds extra smoked flavor. You can also substitute with a teaspoon of smoked paprika if preferred.
• Fresh sage. This gives your black bean meatballs a little herb flavor and compliments the cranberry.

How to make it

• Preheat oven to 375º F. Add the black beans, rolled oats, part of the cranberry sauce, the mixed nuts, part of the BBQ sauce, liquid smoke, and sage leaves to a food processor (I use an 11-cup, but this recipe fills only half), and PULSE until mixed, but NOT paste– you want half of it to be chunky.
• Shape bean mixture into 24 balls and transfer to a baking sheet covered in parchment paper. I like to use a mini ice cream scoop to make this less messy and more uniform. You can scoop out 24 balls and then go back and pack them tighter with your hands. Bake for 20 minutes (turning once halfway) or until golden brown.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce by heating the rest of the cranberry and BBQ sauce on medium heat in a large skillet. Once it starts bubbling, turn the heat down to low and stir occasionally.
• Once bean balls are finished baking, transfer to skillet and toss gently in sauce, making sure to fully cover each one evenly with sauce. Transfer to a serving tray. Sprinkle with fresh sage, if desired. You can also pierce each one with a toothpick for guests.

Allergy Information

• These black bean meatballs are 100% vegan, meaning they are meat-free, dairy-free, and egg-free. They are also naturally gluten-free and soy-free.
• To make these nut-free, replace the nuts with ground flaxseed or gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
• Switch it up and use white or pinto beans if you’re not a fan of black beans.

More vegan party food:

• Smoky vegan cheese ball
• Easy 4-ingredient guacamole
• Simple spicy salsa
• Vegan ramen noodle salad

BBQ Cranberry Black Bean Meatballs

Randi Tisdall

This party food is so good, no one will care it's vegan. Sweet, tangy, with a hint of smoke and fresh herbs, these BBQ cranberry black bean meatballs are naturally vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and can be made from start to finish in less than 30 min. Makes approximately 24 bean balls.

5 from 7 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Side Dish

Servings 24

Calories 96 kcal

Equipment

• Food processor

Ingredients

 

1x2x

For the bean balls-

• ▢ 26.8 oz black beans that’s 2 boxes OR cans, drained and rinsed well
• ▢ 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• ▢ ¼ cup whole berry cranberry sauce no gelatin!
• ▢ 3 tablespoons mixed nuts no peanuts, finely chopped (or substitute ground flaxseed)
• ▢ 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
• ▢ 2 teaspoons liquid smoke natural hickory flavor
• ▢ 2 medium fresh sage leaves

For the sauce-

• ▢ ⅔ cup whole berry cranberry sauce no gelatin!
• ▢ ¾ cup BBQ sauce
• ▢ Extra fresh sage for garnish.

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375º F (190 Cº). Add all bean ball ingredients to a food processor (I use an 11-cup, but this recipe fills only half), and PULSE until mixed, but NOT paste- you want half of it to be chunky.
• Using a mini ice cream scoop (or your hands, but that can get messy), transfer bean ball mixture one scoop at a time to a baking sheet covered in parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce by heating the cranberry and BBQ on medium heat in a large skillet. Once it starts bubbling, turn the heat down to low and stir occasionally.
• Once bean balls are finished, transfer to skillet and toss gently in sauce, making sure to fully cover each one evenly with sauce. Sprinkle with fresh sage, if desired.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

BBQ Cranberry Black Bean Meatballs

Amount Per Serving

Calories 96 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Sodium 111mg5%

Potassium 159mg5%

Carbohydrates 19g6%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 30IU1%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 15mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword black bean meatballs, black bean vegan meatballs, vegan appetizers, vegan bean meatballs, vegan black bean meatballs, vegan party food

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