These slow cooker cranberry meatballs are one of those ridiculously easy appetizers that look right at home on a holiday table. Juicy meatballs are coated in a sticky cranberry glaze made with cranberry sauce, chili sauce and brown sugar, then left to slowly heat until the sauce is bubbling and every meatball is covered in that sweet and tangy goodness.
If you’re searching for dump and go crockpot cranberry meatball recipes for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Eve, this is a great one to keep handy. They’re easy enough for a casual family gathering but festive enough to fit right in with your favorite party food ideas and appetizers. Keep them warm in the slow cooker and guests can help themselves throughout the party without you constantly running back to the kitchen.
These cranberry glazed meatballs also work well beyond the holidays. Make them for game day, potlucks, family parties or any time you need easy meatball appetizers for a party. And if you’d rather turn them into dinner, spoon the meatballs and plenty of that cranberry sauce over rice or creamy mashed potatoes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super easy prep. You’re basically adding everything to the slow cooker, giving it a good stir and letting the Crockpot do the rest.
- Only four main ingredients. Frozen meatballs, cranberry sauce, chili sauce and brown sugar are all you need.
- Perfect for holiday entertaining. The cranberry glaze instantly gives simple cocktail meatballs a festive twist.
- Easy to keep warm. Once they’re ready, switch the slow cooker to warm and serve them straight from the pot.
- Great for parties or dinner. Serve them with toothpicks as an appetizer or spoon them over rice or mashed potatoes for an easy meal.
- Easy to customize. Make them sweeter, spicier or smokier with just a couple of simple swaps.
Slow cooker cranberry meatballs are popular party food for exactly these reasons, and the same appetizer-to-dinner versatility is highlighted by several of the currently ranking recipes.
Ingredients
- 32 oz frozen meatballs – use fully cooked meatballs for this recipe. Beef meatballs are an easy choice, but turkey meatballs work especially well with cranberry flavors and can give these holiday meatballs a slightly lighter feel. Homemade meatballs work too. Cook them completely first and then add them to the cranberry sauce so they hold their shape instead of sticking together or breaking apart in the slow cooker.
- 14 oz can jellied cranberry sauce – melts into a smooth, glossy glaze, which is why it’s particularly good here. If you prefer pieces of cranberry in the sauce, whole berry cranberry sauce is an easy substitute. Homemade cranberry sauce can work too, although the final sweetness and thickness will depend on your recipe. Jellied versus whole berry cranberry sauce is also one of the common substitutions covered by the ranking recipes.
- 12 oz bottle Heinz chili sauce – don’t let the word “chili” fool you. This isn’t the same thing as a bottle of hot sauce. Heinz chili sauce is a tomato-based condiment that brings sweetness, acidity and seasoning to the glaze rather than a serious hit of heat. If you can’t find it use your favorite barbecue sauce instead.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar – sweetens the cranberry glaze and helps balance the tart cranberry and tomato flavors.
- Fresh parsley, optional easy finishing touch, especially for Christmas.
- Fresh cranberries, optional around the finished meatballs add color and make them look extra festive. I’d use them mainly as garnish rather than expecting guests to eat them raw, since fresh cranberries are very tart.
How to Make Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs
1. Get the slow cooker ready
Place your slow cooker on a stable, heat-safe surface and plug it in. You don’t need to grease the Crockpot before adding the ingredients because there is plenty of sauce in this recipe.
2. Add the meatballs
Pour the meatballs into the slow cooker and spread them out into a fairly even layer.
If you’re using homemade meatballs, cook them first and allow them to firm up before transferring them to the slow cooker. This helps stop softer homemade meatballs from falling apart when you stir them later.
3. Add the cranberry sauce
Open the can of jellied cranberry sauce and spoon it over the meatballs. Don’t worry if it comes out of the can as one solid piece. It will soften and melt as the slow cooker heats up. You can break the cranberry sauce into several smaller pieces with your spoon to help it melt a little faster.
4. Add the chili sauce
Pour the entire 12 oz bottle of Heinz chili sauce over the meatballs and cranberry sauce. Try to distribute it around the slow cooker rather than pouring it all into one spot.
5. Add the brown sugar
Sprinkle 1/4 cup of brown sugar evenly over everything. If you prefer appetizers that are less sweet, you can reduce the amount slightly and adjust the sweetness later.
6. Gently mix everything together
Using a large spoon or silicone spatula, gently fold the meatballs and sauces together. At this stage the cranberry sauce will still be thick and lumpy, so don’t worry about getting a perfectly smooth sauce. As it heats, it will melt and combine with the chili sauce and brown sugar.
Try not to stir too aggressively, especially if you’re using softer homemade meatballs.
7. Cover and slow cook
Put the lid on the slow cooker.
Cook on: Low for 3 to 4 hours or High for 2 to 3 hours
The meatballs should be piping hot throughout and the cranberry sauce should be hot and bubbling when they’re ready.
8. Stir during cooking
After approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours, carefully remove the lid and gently stir the meatballs. By now the cranberry sauce should have softened considerably. Stir everything together until the meatballs are evenly coated in the glossy sauce. Replace the lid promptly so you don’t lose too much heat.
9. Check the sauce
Toward the end of cooking, give everything another gentle stir. This is also the perfect time to taste the sauce and adjust it. Want it sweeter? Add a little brown sugar or honey.
10. Garnish and serve
Once everything is hot and the sauce is bubbling, your cranberry meatballs are ready. Sprinkle with chopped parsley just before serving. For an extra festive look, add a few fresh cranberries around the serving dish.
For meatball appetizers for a party, leave the meatballs in the slow cooker on warm and set cocktail picks or toothpicks beside it. Guests can simply take a meatball whenever they want one.
If you’re putting together a larger spread of Christmas party food ideas and appetizers, cranberry meatballs work particularly well alongside cheese boards, baked brie, dips, stuffed mushrooms, sliders and other bite-size savory appetizers.
Want dinner instead? Your original recipe suggests serving them over rice or mashed potatoes, and both are great because they soak up the cranberry glaze. Add steamed green beans, broccoli or roasted vegetables for a simple dinner.
How to Store Cranberry Meatballs
Allow leftover meatballs to cool before transferring them with the sauce to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator and use them within 3 to 4 days.
FAQs
Can you freeze cranberry meatballs?
Yes. Cool the cooked meatballs and sauce completely, transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Freezing cooked cranberry meatballs is also a make-ahead option too.
What kind of meatballs are best for cranberry meatballs?
Plain or homestyle beef meatballs are probably the easiest choice because they don’t compete too much with the cranberry sauce.
Turkey meatballs are excellent for Thanksgiving and Christmas because turkey pairs naturally with cranberry.
I’d avoid strongly Italian-seasoned meatballs if possible, since heavy oregano or Parmesan flavors can compete with the sweet cranberry glaze.
Can I use whole berry cranberry sauce instead of jellied?
Yes, jellied cranberry sauce creates the smoothest glaze, while whole berry sauce leaves small pieces of cranberry throughout the sauce. Both styles are commonly used in slow cooker cranberry meatball recipes.
Can I make slow cooker cranberry meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, and that’s one reason they’re such useful holiday meatballs for the Crockpot.
You can prepare the sauce ahead and refrigerate it, or cook the entire recipe and refrigerate the finished meatballs. Reheat them thoroughly before serving. If you’re entertaining, another easy option is to have all your ingredients measured and ready, then start the slow cooker a few hours before guests arrive.
How many people does this recipe serve?
Your original recipe lists 8 to 10 servings. For a party where you’re serving several appetizers, the meatballs will usually stretch further because guests are eating smaller portions. If they’re being served as a main meal over rice or mashed potatoes, expect fewer servings.
What goes well with cranberry meatballs?
For an appetizer spread, pair them with cheese and crackers, baked brie, vegetables and dip, stuffed mushrooms, sliders or a charcuterie board. For dinner, serve them over rice or mashed potatoes with steamed or roasted vegetables on the side.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
These easy slow cooker cranberry meatballs are coated in a sweet, tangy cranberry glaze and take just minutes to prep. Perfect for holiday parties, Christmas appetizers, potlucks or game day, they’re an easy crowd-pleaser you can keep warm right in the Crockpot.