Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs

Hey y’all, and happy holidays, my friends! If you need something that disappears the second you set it on the table, these cranberry meatballs are sweet, tangy, and a little sassy from the chili sauce.

They’re the perfect appetizer for all your holiday get-togethers and parties, and they’re so simple and easy to make.

So grab your crockpot, your meatballs, and your cranberry sauce, because we’re about to make some Cranberry Meatball.

How to make Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 4 hours (Low)
• Yields: 10-12 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 bag (32 oz / 2 lbs) frozen cooked meatballs (Original, Italian, or Turkey)
• 1 can (14 oz) jellied cranberry sauce
• 1 bottle (12 oz) chili sauce (like Heinz)
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest (zest of 1 small orange)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Making the sauce

The first thing we’re going to do is make that amazing sauce. In a bowl, take one 14-ounce can of jellied cranberry sauce. Here’s a little trick: pop it in the microwave for about 45 seconds until it’s melted. This makes it so much easier to mix!

Once the cranberry sauce is melted, it’s time to bring everything together. Add to the bowl a 12-ounce bottle of chili sauce, a bit of light brown sugar, some freshly squeezed orange juice, and the zest of a small orange.

Give everything a quick stir until it’s well incorporated. Just like that, our sauce is ready!

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Putting It All Together

In the crockpot, we have a 2-pound bag of frozen meatballs. We’re using the original beef style, but you can use turkey if you prefer. We also lined the pot with a slow-cooker liner for easy cleanup. All we do is pour that amazing sauce over the meatballs, just like so, and give it a quick stir to coat everything. Now all that’s left is to cover the crockpot and turn it to Low. These meatballs will cook low and slow for 4 hours

Instructions:

1. Melt the Cranberry: Place the jellied cranberry sauce in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for about 45 seconds to melt it down so it whisks easily.
2. Mix the Sauce: To the melted cranberry sauce, add the bottle of chili sauce, brown sugar, orange juice, and orange zest. Whisk until smooth and well incorporated.
3. Load the Crockpot: Place your slow cooker liner inside your 6-quart crockpot (for easy cleanup!). Dump in the frozen meatballs.
4. Combine: Pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs. Stir gently to ensure every meatball is coated in that flavor.
5. Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 4 hours.
6. Serve: Stir once more before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve hot right out of the pot!

When the meatballs are ready, garnish them with some fresh parsley on top to make them look festive.

If you like this recipe Explore more recipes.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs with Orange Zest

Recipe by Sana ReiCourse: AppetizersCuisine: SouthernDifficulty: Easy

Servings

12

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

4

hours 

~Calories

245

kcal

Total time

4

hours 

10

minutes

Ingredients

• 32 oz frozen cooked meatballs (approx. 2 lbs)

• 14 oz can jellied cranberry sauce

• 12 oz bottle chili sauce (e.g., Heinz)

• 2 tbsp light brown sugar, packed

• 2 tbsp fresh orange juice

• 1 tsp fresh orange zest (approx. 1 small orange)

• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Directions

• Line a 6-quart slow cooker with a liner for easy cleanup (optional) and place the frozen meatballs inside.
• In a microwave-safe medium bowl, place the jellied cranberry sauce. Microwave for 45 seconds or until melted and soft.
• Add the chili sauce, brown sugar, fresh orange juice, and orange zest to the bowl. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and combined.
• Pour the sauce over the meatballs in the slow cooker. Stir gently to coat the meatballs evenly.
• Cover and cook on Low for 4 hours. (Alternatively, cook on High for 2 hours if you are short on time).
• Stir the meatballs well before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley. Keep the slow cooker on the "Warm" setting for parties.

Notes

• Pro Tip: Melting the jellied cranberry sauce in the microwave first is the secret to a smooth sauce without lumps!
• Meatball Choice: You can use beef, pork, or turkey meatballs. Just make sure they are fully cooked frozen meatballs, not raw.
• Storage: These keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove.
• Party Mode: These will stay delicious on the "Warm" setting of your crockpot for up to 3 hours during your party.
  

Read also:

• Classic Holiday Baking: Gingerbread Cookies Recipe.