Made with just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time, these Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs are a must for holiday parties and game days. They’re tangy, a little spicy, and absolutely delicious – everyone loves them!
These are perfect served as an appetizer for a crowd or enjoy them over mashed potatoes with a simple side salad for a complete meal.
Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs
We took our ever-popular Grape Jelly Meatballs recipe and gave it a fall twist with cranberry sauce. These slow cooker meatballs are a tried and true recipe loved by everyone, perfect for family gatherings, holiday celebrations, get-togethers with friends, and game day. They are one crockpot party food that always disappears fast.
The flavor combination is just the best – a little sweet and savory, with a slight kick from chili sauce. Makes your taste buds sing. In addition to the great taste, they are crazy easy to prepare – a true dump and go slow cooker recipe. And clean up is a breeze.
Cranberry Meatballs Recipe
You only need 5 simple ingredients to make this cranberry meatball recipe:
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Ketchup: If you can, purchase a brand without any high fructose corn syrup.
- Brown sugar: For sweetness and a subtle molasses flavor.
- Cranberry sauce: Use our homemade cranberry sauce recipe or canned (either jellied or whole cranberry.)
- Chili sauce: This adds some heat and balances out the sweetness of the other ingredients. It doesn’t make the meatballs spicy.
- Italian Meatballs: You can keep it simple by buying a package of frozen meatballs at the store or make our homemade Italian meatballs for extra flavor.
How to Make Cranberry Meatballs
It could not be easier to make these crockpot meatballs! You simply place frozen meatballs into a greased crockpot, combine all the sauce ingredients, pour them over the meatballs, toss to coat, and then cook on low for a few hours. (See the full recipe and details in the printable recipe card below.)
FAQs
- Can I make these without a crockpot? Yes, you can easily make these meatballs on the stovetop if you don’t have a crockpot. Just put them in a pot over medium/medium-low heat and cook until the meatballs are warmed. Be sure to stir frequently so the sauce doesn’t burn.
- Are these meatballs sweet or spicy? These slow cooker meatballs are the perfect blend of sweet with a little kick. The sweet brown sugar with tangy ketchup and spicy chili sauce really give the overall dish a great, well-balanced flavor.
- What are the best meatballs to use? Using frozen meatballs (no need to thaw first), whether homemade or a package purchased at the store, makes this recipe super easy. You can use all beef meatballs, pork meatballs, turkey meatballs or any combination.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers:
- How to store leftovers. Leftover cranberry meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- How to reheat. The easiest way to reheat the meatballs is in the microwave, but if you’re reheating a large amount, you can also use the crockpot or stovetop.
These meatballs are great enjoyed as an appetizer, but I often serve them over cooked rice or mashed potatoes as a weeknight meal. My family loves them!
More Meatball Recipes:
- Swedish Meatballs
- Italian Meatballs
- Beef Kofta Meatballs
- Sweet Hot and Sour Cocktail Meatballs
- Skillet Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 16 ounce can jellied cranberry sauce , loosened (or homemade cranberry sauce)
- 3 tablespoons chili sauce
- 32 ounces frozen Italian meatballs (homemade or store bought)
Instructions
- Coat a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- In the slow cooker, combine ketchup, brown sugar, cranberry sauce, and chili sauce; whisk until smooth and combined.
- Add in the meatballs and toss until coated.
- Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for 3-4 hours (or high for 2 hours), stirring once or twice toward the end to prevent any burning.
- Turn the slow cooker to warm and enjoy as an appetizer (or serve over mashed potatoes or rice for a complete meal.)
Nutrition
Other Notes
These were awesome!
I used Heinz chili sauce. Loved them. Thanks!
My husband is diabetic, so I was checking the Carbs and Sugar, this recipe looks like a winner, good job..
I need a white board to remind me of the stuff I’m supposed to try from your blog. I love the grape jelly/ chili sauce meatballs. These sound divine.
The grape jelly version is a staple in our family. Couldn’t wait to try these and loved them just as much.
Love these little meatballs. May have to add them to my super bowl spread.
This is THE BEST meatball appetizer. We always make them with grape jelly, but I think I like this version even better!
Now that is TOTALLY the kind of thing my dad would send me also. We actually send perverse jokes to each other all day long. It’s a good thing he works for an Italian bank and they’re super lax about internet security…otherwise he’d be in BIG trouble.
In the last few months I’ve become OBSESSED with my crockpot. Even made some meatballs kinda like this. BUT, I confess, I bought the actual meatball. I hang my head in shame. Ok, not really, BUT, you’ve inspired me to remake it, and make the meatballs, MYSELF!
I think one of the girls I work with made similar meatballs at our holiday party and they were really really good! I will have to save this recipe.
Hahaha! Yes. Capitalization is indeed important. I’ll have to remember that great example from your Dad. =) And those meatballs look like exactly the thing I want to encounter at every single party I ever go to.
I was just surfing the net, looking for some ideas on foods to bring to a Super Bowl party (even if my beloved Steelers aren’t playing) Guess what I’m going to make!!! Thank you, Amy!!!
I’ve got more stuff coming for Superbowl, so you’ll have options! But these…these were YUM-O. Definitely include them.
Sounds heavenly will try these
I love the look of those meatballs. Meatballs in the slow cooker are one of those yummy treats that I always look forward to at party time!
O.M.G. Cranberry meatballs AND Mongolian crockpot! I am going nuts. Too, too yummy and EASY. Thank you from the 3 pounds I’m going to gain and not even care!