Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.

While the meatballs are baking, prepare the cranberry sauce by combining fresh cranberries, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a saucepan.

Simmer the sauce on medium heat until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, about 10-15 minutes.

Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the oven and let them cool briefly.

Toss the baked meatballs in the cranberry sauce until well coated.

Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.