This Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs recipe defines dump-and-go cooking! Add your ingredients to the slow cooker, then set it and forget it until they’re done!
Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs
Our crock pot Cranberry Meatball recipe could be the easiest way to cook a classic holiday appetizer or side, not only because it’s made with the set-it-and-forget-it method but also because the ingredients are already prepared!
Store-bought meatballs are smothered in a combination of cranberry sauce, chili sauce, and BBQ sauce and sweetened with orange juice and honey; it’s this sauce that makes the meatballs taste tangy, full of flavor, and bold with a bit of spice.
Crock pot cranberry meatball recipes make cooking so easy and straightforward – dump, stir, and walk away while the appliance does all the work!
Why We Love Crockpot Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
- Quick and easy to prepare in 5 minutes.
- Uses a handful of simple ingredients.
- Simmering low and slow gives the sauce ample time to meld with the meatballs.
- Great for game day gatherings, potlucks, and taking to tailgates.
- Perfect appetizer or side to serve for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s celebrations, holiday parties, and family get togethers.
Cranberry Meatballs Ingredients
- Meatballs: You can use store-bought frozen meatballs or make your own homemade meatballs.
- Chili sauce
- BBQ sauce
- Jellied cranberry sauce
- Orange juice
- Orange zest
- Honey
- Chopped parsley
Substitutions and Additions
- Swap The Cranberry Sauce: The cranberry sauce adds a unique and tangy flavor to this dish, but you can experiment with other fruit preserves or sauces for a different flavor. My grape jelly meatballs are just as delicious!
- Add Some Spice: Add a touch of heat to the sauce by incorporating sriracha or red pepper flakes.
- Use Other Herbs: Aside from parsley, sprinkle other fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil over the meatballs before serving.
- Substitute The BBQ Sauce: You can substitute the BBQ sauce with a dark and smoky sauce, such as hickory or mesquite flavor.
- Vary The Meatball Variety: This recipe uses your favorite variety of frozen pre-cooked meatballs. Turkey meatballs and chicken meatballs tend to be a bit lighter than their beef and pork counterparts, but they will all work well. Feel free to use frozen Italian meatballs too.
How to Make Cranberry Meatballs
- Combine In The Crockpot: Stir together the meatballs, chili sauce, BBQ sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, and honey.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours.
- Serve: Sprinkle with parsley, serve, and enjoy!
Other ways to cook this Cranberry Meatball Recipe
Don’t have a crockpot? No worries! You can also make this recipe on the stovetop or in the oven!
Stove Top cranberry meatballs: Combine the ingredients in a large saucepan or skillet, bring them to a simmer, add the meatballs, and cook until heated.
Oven Baked cranberry meatballs: Combine all the ingredients in an oven-safe dish and cover with tin foil. Bake at 325°F for 20-25 minutes or until the meatballs have cooked through.
Tips For Making The Best Cranberry Meatballs
- Feel free to add a tablespoon of grated fresh ginger to the sauce. The ginger’s spiciness will complement the sweetness of the cranberries.
- Make sure not to overcook your meatballs! If you cook them for too long, they will burn and the sauce will harden up and stick to the sides of your slow cooker.
- Consider using a slow cooker liner when making these for super easy cleanup!
What To Serve With Cranberry Meatballs
You can arrange the meatballs on a platter as an appetizer and insert toothpicks for easy serving. You can also serve them in a big bowl or keep them simple and straight from the slow cooker!
Slow cooker cranberry meatballs make a great main dish when accompanied by simple sides. They pair well with rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or even buttered noodles. Consider adding a vegetable medley or a crisp salad.
For a finger food idea, you can tuck the slow cooker cranberry meatballs into sandwiches, subs, or garlic bread bombs. Place a few meatballs on a crusty roll or slider bun, and top them with a drizzle of the sauce and some shredded cheese. Toast the sandwich in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese.
How to Store Cranberry Meatballs
- To Store: Completely cool your leftover meatballs before transferring them to an airtight container or airtight sealable bag. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- To Freeze: Place the cooled meatballs in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating to helps retain their flavors and textures.
- To Reheat: Reheat the meatballs in the slow cooker or on the stovetop until warmed through.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
Other Easy Appetizers
- Texas Trash Dip
- Sloppy Joe Dip
- Taco Bites
- Asian Meatballs
- Soft Pretzel Bites
- Chili’s Copycat Awesome Blossom
If you tried this Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!
Cranberry Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (1 package) frozen pre-cooked meatballs
- ½ cup chili sauce
- ½ cup BBQ Sauce
- 14 ounces jellied cranberry sauce
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- In the slow cooker, combine the meatballs, chili sauce, BBQ sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, and honey. Stir everything together.2 pounds (1 package) frozen pre-cooked meatballs, ½ cup chili sauce, ½ cup BBQ Sauce, 14 ounces jellied cranberry sauce, ¼ cup orange juice, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 2 teaspoons honey
- Place the lid on your slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours.
- Once the cooking time is up. Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the top.2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- Serve these slow cooker cranberry meatballs as an appetizer or as a main dish with a side of rice or mashed potatoes.
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: Completely cool your leftover meatballs before transferring them to an airtight container or airtight sealable bag. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- To Freeze: Place the cooled meatballs in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating to helps retain their flavors and textures.
- To Reheat: Reheat the meatballs in the slow cooker or on the stovetop until warmed through.
- Feel free to add a tablespoon of grated fresh ginger to the sauce. The ginger’s spiciness will complement the sweetness of the cranberries.
- Make sure not to overcook your meatballs! If you cook them for too long, they will burn and the sauce will harden up and stick to the sides of your slow cooker.
- Consider using a slow cooker liner when making these for super easy cleanup!
would this work with precooked meatballs? I’m specifically thinking of the chicken meatballs from Trader Joe’s? Thanks
Yes, this will work with precooked meatballs. Just add them to the sauce and simmer until they’re heated through and coated in the sauce.
I made this recipe as an appetizer, but used Hillshire Farm Lit’l Smokies Smoked Sausage instead of meatballs (could use any brand of cocktail weiners). It turned out great, will probably be appetizer I bring to events
This crockpot cranberry meatballs are the greatest. So easy to prepare and it disappears quick!! Everyone just loved them. You really need to try this recipe, can’t go wrong. Yum