Cultured Guru Logo
Cultured Guru Logo
  • Start Here
  • RecipesWe love to create delicious recipes with gut health in mind. By using our recipes, you can easily create any dish knowing that it’s good for gut health! Our recipe blog also includes Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Gluten Free Recipes, and Paleo Recipes.
  • About
  • Learn
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Start Here
  • RecipesWe love to create delicious recipes with gut health in mind. By using our recipes, you can easily create any dish knowing that it’s good for gut health! Our recipe blog also includes Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Gluten Free Recipes, and Paleo Recipes.
  • About
  • Learn
  • Shop
  • Contact
Wild Game

Venison Cranberry Sauerkraut Meatballs with Apple Sage Orzo

Cranberry sauerkraut meatballs are a delicious and unique twist on classic venison meatballs. These succulent venison meatballs baked in the oven are perfectly tender and flavorful. The deep flavors of the venison sauerkraut and cranberry meatballs pair perfectly with creamy apple sage orzo for a mouthwatering meal.

Prep: 45 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe
Recipe Index | Cook | Wild Game

Venison Cranberry Sauerkraut Meatballs with Apple Sage Orzo

Cranberry sauerkraut meatballs are a delicious and unique twist on classic venison meatballs. These succulent venison meatballs baked in the oven are perfectly tender and flavorful. The deep flavors of the venison sauerkraut and cranberry meatballs pair perfectly with creamy apple sage orzo for a mouthwatering meal.

Cranberry Sauerkraut Meatballs

I know, cranberry sauerkraut meatballs sounds like an interesting combination, but I swear it’s the best flavor combo in meatballs. The sweetness and tart flavors of the cranberry pair with the umami, briney flavors of the kraut for a mouthwatering main dish.

You will use one of three types of sweet cranberries in this recipe depending on what you have. I used my honey fermented cranberries from our Jalapeno Hot Honey Fermented Cranberry recipe. The two other options include cranberry sauce or cranberry jam (preserves).

Venison meatballs baked until golden brown on top of cheesy apple sage orzo pasta. Plated in a white shallow bowl and topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Do not use fresh cranberries in this recipe, it won’t be the same. Fresh cranberries are too tart, and you need to use sweet cranberries.

A clear glass jar of honey fermented cranberries, a main ingredient in Sauerkraut and Cranberry Meatballs.
Raw ground venison in a bowl with cranberries and other chopped ingredients to make venison cranberry sauerkraut meatballs.
Raw sauerkraut and cranberry meatballs rolled into balls on a parchment paper lined baking pan.

Cranberry Sauerkraut Venison Meatballs

The other main ingredient that you use to flavor these meatballs is sauerkraut! I used some turmeric sauerkraut that I had a gallon of in my fridge,

I highly recommend using caraway sauerkraut or garlic sauerkraut in the recipe if you can. Mostly any sauerkraut will work great in this recipe though.

Venison cranberry sauerkraut meatballs cooked until golden brown on top of cheesy apple sage orzo pasta. Plated in a white shallow bowl.

Cranberry Sauerkraut Meatballs with Apple Sage Orzo Pasta

The most perfect pairing for cranberry sauerkraut venison meatballs is apple sage orzo pasta. The buttery, sagey, cheesy, apple-y flavors are absolutely divine combined with the blend of flavors in the venison meatballs.

Normally I cook orzo with white wine, but I wanted to try infusing apple flavor into the pasta. So, I used some dry hard apple cider in this recipe.

I used Italian bronze cut wheat orzo pasta for this recipe. If you want to try it with a gluten free version of orzo, you may have to adjust the cooking methods and times a bit. I’m not sure if it will work with GF pasta.

Ingredients for Sauerkraut and Cranberry Meatballs

  • fresh French or Italian bread, diced into tiny pieces (I used poboy bread)
  • warm water
  • butter
  • shallots
  • garlic cloves
  • cayenne pepper
  • ground venison (hunted or regenerative)
  • Parmesan cheese
  • fresh sage
  • fresh parsley
  • cranberry sauce or jam/preserves or honey fermented cranberries
  • sauerkraut, drained and finely chopped
  • kosher salt
  • orzo
  • dry hard apple cider
  • Rosemary
  • chicken stock
  • heavy cream
  • fresh kale chopped
  • freshly cracked black pepper

Venison Meatballs Baked in the Oven

My favorite way to cook meatballs is in the oven. It’s easy and fast, only taking about 30 minutes. With a recipe like this one, the meatballs do not dry out.

Great oven baked meatballs start with good meat and flavorful ingredients that keep the meat juicy. You’ll notice in the recipe that we do not use bread crumbs, instead using crust bread soaked in a small bit of water. This helps to bind the meatballs and keep them moist throughout the baking.

Venison cranberry sauerkraut meatballs cooked until golden brown on top of cheesy apple sage orzo pasta. Plated in a white shallow bowl.
Print
Wild Game

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 3 reviews

Venison Cranberry Sauerkraut Meatballs with Apple Sage Orzo

Cranberry sauerkraut meatballs are a delicious and unique twist on classic venison meatballs. These succulent venison meatballs baked in the oven are perfectly tender and flavorful. The deep flavors of the venison sauerkraut and cranberry meatballs pair perfectly with creamy apple sage orzo for a mouthwatering meal.

  • Prep: 45 minutes
  • Cook: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

Venison meatballs

  • 2 oz fresh crusty french or Italian bread, diced into tiny pieces
  • ½ cup warm water
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 28 ounces ground venison
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • ½ cup honey-fermented cranberries or cranberry sauce or jam
  • ½ cup sauerkraut, drained and finely chopped
  • ½ tsp kosher salt

Apple Sage Orzo

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 8 sage leaves
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 1 cup orzo
  • 1 cup dry hard apple cider
  • 1 rosemary sprig
  • 1 ½ cups chicken stock
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup fresh kale chopped
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

  1. For the meatballs, preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a large baking pan with a piece of parchment paper.
  2. Place the diced bread in a large mixing bowl and pour the warm water over top. Let soak for about 10 minutes.
  3. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the butter. Once melted, add the minced shallot and garlic. Cook for a minute or so until softened. Stir in the cayenne. Turn off the heat.
  4. Add the ground venison, sage, parsley, salt, cranberry, sauerkraut and butter-shallot mixture to the bowl of bread. Mix until incorporated.
  5. Using your hands, shape the meat mix into approximately 18 (2 oz) meatballs.
  6. Place them onto the parchment paper lined pan. Drizzle with a little olive oil and bake on the top rack of the oven for 25-30 minutes, until lightly browned and cooked through.
  7. For the orzo, place a medium shallow pot over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt and start to simmer.
  8. Add the sage leaves. Let them crisp as the butter begins to brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sage to a paper towel lined plate.
  9. Add the shallots to the butter and season with a pinch of salt. Cook for about 2 minutes
  10. Stir in the dry orzo pasta, coating it in the shallot butter.
  11. Pour in the hard apple cider and add the sprig of rosemary.
  12. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  13. Stir in the chicken stock. Bring to a simmer again, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for about 6-8 more minutes, stirring often.
  14. Add in the heavy cream, kale, and parmesan. Let the cream simmer while the kale wilts and parmesan melts, stirring continuously. Season with salt to taste. Remove the rosemary sprig.
  15. Serve the venison meatballs over the orzo. Garnish with the butter fried sage, freshly cracked black pepper, and more parmesan.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a 5-star review below if you loved it! Tag @cultured.guru on Instagram

 

Nutrition information is auto-calculated and estimated as close as possible. We are not responsible for any errors. We have tested the recipe for accuracy, but your results may vary.

author avatar
Kaitlynn Fenley Author, Educator, Food Microbiologist
Kaitlynn is a food microbiologist and fermentation expert teaching people how to ferment foods and drinks at home.
See Full Bio
fermentation food microbiology sourdough sauerkraut fermenting at home fermented foods fermented drinks
social network icon social network icon social network icon social network icon

welcome!

hey i’m kaitlynn, i’m a microbiologist and together with my husband jon we are cultured guru.

more about us

let’s connect!

newest recipe

Sourdough Pineapple Muffins with Active Starter or Discard
Sourdough Discard Muffins

Sourdough Pineapple Muffins with Active Starter or Discard

never miss a thing

learn more about microbes from a microbiologist
Loading

on pinterest

Instant Pot Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup
Sourdough Smores Cookies
High Protein Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
Sourdough & Miso Chicolate Chip Cookies
Sourdough Dinner Rolls
Homemade Cottage Cheese

top rated recipes

How to Make Moroccan Preserved Lemons with Sea Salt
Fruits & Roots

How to Make Moroccan Preserved Lemons with Sea Salt

Slow Cooked Pork Roast with Sauerkraut Potatoes and Carrots
Protein

Slow Cooked Pork Roast with Sauerkraut Potatoes and Carrots

Sparkling Golden Beet Kvass Made the Traditional Way
Beverage Fermentation

Sparkling Golden Beet Kvass Made the Traditional Way

learn more

Understand microbes and master fermentation with our online courses!

learn

rate and review
We would love to hear what you think!
Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

  1. Millie
    01|10|2023

    SO delicious.

    Reply
  2. Bree
    02|02|2023

    These meatballs were out of this world good. but I think my favorite part was the orzo with the apple cider.

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      02|02|2023

      The orzo is totally my favorite part too 🙂

      Reply
  3. Patsi
    02|15|2023

    Another absolutely amazing recipe from Kaitlynn! I made this (with minor adjustments due to local availability of ingredients) to impress the girl I’m dating and after the first bite she said “This is the best thing I have ever eaten”. First I thought she just wanted to be nice, but when I took my first bite – holy moly! Such a perfectly balanced composition of flavors coming together in a creamy, warm and comforting meal.

    Absolutely beautiful and will be made many more times, thanks for developing and providing these recipes, Kaitlynn!

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      02|20|2023

      I love hearing this! This is one of my all-time favorite recipes, and I’m glad both of you enjoyed it just as much as we do.

      Reply

you may also like

High Protein
Wild Game View Recipe

Venison Osso Buco with Miso Braised Leeks and Mushrooms

High Protein
Protein View Recipe

Chicken Zucchini Meatballs with Fermented Zucchini and Feta

Thanksgiving
Sweets & Snacks View Recipe

Cranberry Yogurt Parfaits Made With Leftover Cranberry Sauce

join us on insta

@cultured.guru

🫐Google “blueberry sauerkraut”🫐 you’ll 🫐Google “blueberry sauerkraut”🫐 you’ll find this recipe, I’m Cultured Guru, and my recipe is either the first or second one (usually first 😘)!

#blueberry #sauerkraut
overripe, yellow or slicing cucumbers? You can sti overripe, yellow or slicing cucumbers? You can still ferment them! 🥒 Just make relish instead of pickles. 

Get my kimchi relish recipe from the recipe index on my website. 

#pickles #onion #kimchi
Seriously, it’s the first one. Google “ferment Seriously, it’s the first one. Google “fermented peppers” to get my recipe 🌶️✨

And yes, you can turn these into hot sauce after they’re fermented.

I make hot sauce a few different ways, but here’s the easiest:

Just strain the brine into a separate jar/bowl, throw the fermented peppers in a blender. Blend on high and add a bit of the strained brine into the blender little by little until it’s the consistency you want. Maybe add a splash of ACV to balance out the flavor. Store sauce in an airtight container and keep refrigerated.

#fermented #peppers #hotsauce #fermentation
✨google✨ “pineapple vinegar” & my recipe i ✨google✨ “pineapple vinegar” & my recipe is the first one!🍍

My pineapple kombucha recipe is brand-new, and that one is on our website homepage! 

I didn’t know you could juice pineapple skins, but turns out that’s where most of the bromelain is at. 

It also turns out that the skins are so tough they blast out of the centrifugal juicer lol. Pineapple may have splattered all over me and on the walls, but it was worth it because the kombucha was amazing. 🍍

#kombucha #pineapple #vinegar
Fermented potatoes 🫶 fried in duck fat 🍟

✨Google✨ “fermented lemon pepper fries” and you’ll see my recipe first! 

You can also get the recipe from my index, linked in my bio! 

#fries #fermentation #sourdough #sourdoughstarter
✨Google✨ “jalapeño sauerkraut” and you’ ✨Google✨ “jalapeño sauerkraut” and you’ll see my recipe, it’s the first one. 

#jalapeño #sauerkraut #fermentation
Flower Icon
LEARN ABOUT MICROBES FROM A MICROBIOLoGIST
Loading

recipes

  • Sourdough
  • Sauerkraut
  • Yogurt & Kefir
  • Pickles
  • Sweets & Snacks

more

  • Start Here
  • About
  • Learn
  • Shop
  • Contact

social

  • TikTokVisit Cultured Guru TikTok Account
  • InstagramCultured Guru Instagram Account
  • PinterestVisit Cultured Guru’s Pinterest Account
  • FacebookVisit Cultured Guru’s Facebook page
  • Privacy & Terms
Footer Logo
Footer tagline
copyright

©2025

Cultured Guru

.

website by saevil row + MTT. all rights reserved.