• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Organized Island
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • 4th of July
  • Subscribe
    • Breakfast & Brunch
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • 4th of July
  • Subscribe
    • Breakfast & Brunch
×

Organized Island » Recipes » Appetizers

Cranberry Sauce Meatballs

Published: Dec 16, 2022 · Modified: May 20, 2023 by Jessica Clark · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

Sharing is caring!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Cranberry Sauce Meatballs

It's the holiday season, and that means one thing: parties and slow cooker cranberry sauce meatballs! So whether you're hosting a small holiday party with family or friends or throwing a larger soiree for all your loved ones, there's always room for festive appetizers.

And what could be more Christmasy than cranberry sauce meatballs? This recipe is easy to follow and yields a delicious batch of tangy meatballs every time.

Slow cooker Slow cooker Cranberry Sauce Meatballs in bowl with slow cooker.

These cranberry sauce meatballs are sure to be the highlight of any party or event. They're easy to prepare, have delicious savory-sweet flavors, and can easily be made ahead of time for last-minute preparations on party day.

With just 15 minutes of prep time and 5 ingredients, you can create this crowd-pleaser in no time at all! Serve it up with your favorite appetizers like spinach artichoke dip, and baked brie.

Keep reading for the recipe and tips on making these little gems the star of your Christmas spread!

Easy Cranberry Sauce Meatballs

Why this recipe is awesome

You will love this recipe for yummy Christmas party meatballs because:

This is a very easy recipe with simple ingredients.

The meatballs are premade, so you can purchase store-bought meatballs to make it easier.

You can customize the recipe by using your favorite store-bought or homemade cranberry sauce.

These meatballs are great for a variety of occasions—from family gatherings to game day tailgates.

They offer a delicious savory-sweet flavor that everyone will love!

Ingredients for cranberry meatballs recipe

  • Premade meatballs - use your favorite brand of pre-cooked meatballs, or you can make your own homemade meatballs ahead of time.
  • Jellied cranberry sauce - a can of cranberry sauce works best, but you can also make your own.
  • Chili sauce - use your favorite brand or make your own. Heinz chili sauce is a great option.
  • Brown sugar - light or dark is fine.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Easy Cranberry Sauce Meatballs ingredients.

How to make crock pot cranberry meatballs

Step 1 - To your crock pot, add frozen meatballs.

Step 2 - Add the brown sugar.

Step 3 - Add the cranberry sauce and hot sauce.

Bake in your slow cooker or crock pot for 3 hours on high or 4-5 hours on low

Stir the meatballs about every 30 minutes until everything has combined together and the meatballs are heated through.

Easy Cranberry Sauce Meatballs with a slow cooker.

Tips for best results

  • Use pre-cooked frozen meatballs to save time and ensure they are cooked through.
  • Add some Sambal Oelek or Thai Sweet Chili Sauce to the mix if you want a spicy sauce.
  • Add some Worcestershire sauce or Dijon mustard for an extra burst of sweet and savory flavor.
  • Add a little water if you find the mixture is too thick.
  • Use low heat for the crockpot setting to keep your meatballs from burning and for the best flavor.
  • To get the most out of your holiday twist, serve with extra cranberry sauce on the side for dipping!
  • Serving suggestions: Cranberry Sauce Meatballs make great appetizers but are also hearty enough to be served as a main course. Serve them with a side of mashed potatoes, a green salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal! The leftovers make great sandwiches the next day too!
  • Be sure to check the internal temperature of your meatballs to make sure they are at least 165 degrees F before serving.
  • I used beef meatballs for this recipe, but you could also use chicken meatballs or turkey meatballs.
  • Leftover cranberry sauce crockpot meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

More easy hot appetizer recipes

  • Sticky Meatballs with sauce in bowl.
    Sticky Meatballs
  • BBQ Sauce and Grape Jelly Meatballs over rRice.
    BBQ Sauce and Grape Jelly Meatballs
  • Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers with chives.
    Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
  • Soy Garlic Chicken Wings

Be sure to try my, BBQ and jelly Meatballs , Sticky Meatballs and grape jelly meatball recipes - they are all delicious! 

Slow cooker CCrockpot cranberry Sauce Meatballs

Cranberry Sauce Meatballs

Raquel Pineira
These cranberry sauce meatballs are the best Christmas appetizer. This slow cooker recipe is easy to follow and is absolutely delicious!
5 from 31 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 hours hrs
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 39 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 slow cooker
  • 1 wooden spoon or serving spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 1 32 oz. bag premade frozen meatballs
  • 1 14 oz. can jellied cranberry sauce
  • 1 12 oz. jar chili sauce
  • ¾ cup brown sugar

Instructions
 

  • To your crockpot, add frozen meatballs.
  • Add brown sugar, cranberry sauce, and chili sauce.
  • Stir the best you can to combine.
  • Stir the meatballs about every 30 minutes, until everything has combined together and meatballs are heated through.

Notes

Be sue to continue to stir the meatballs about every 30 minutes while meatballs are in the slow cooker. 
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 39kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 0.01gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 14mgFiber: 0.001gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 0.4IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

If you are not yet subscribing to my CELEBRATE THE SEASON newsletter, you can subscribe here. I share easy recipes for the season and a few things that I don't share here. I email you only once a week as I know how valuable your time is and respect that tremendously!

Easy-simple-recipe-ideas
« Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies
Vodka Cranberry Cocktail »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tamara

    December 27, 2022 at 2:40 pm

    This is one of our favorite recipes - we usually use Trader Joe's frozen meatballs. YUM.

    Reply
  2. Just Me

    December 31, 2022 at 11:02 pm

    5 stars
    I made these meatballs as one of my appetizers for New Year's Eve celebration. I have to say, this was the best appetizer of the night. The freshness the cranberry sauce offers is the star of the dish. I did make my own meatballs as I'm not fond of pre-made, frozen meatballs. I'm sure this added to the positive outcome and my 5 star rating.

    Reply
    • Raquel

      January 02, 2023 at 8:07 pm

      Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed them!

      Reply
  3. Julie Briones

    January 02, 2023 at 5:46 pm

    Looking forward to trying this recipe, Raquel! Love cranberry sauce AND meatballs! Thanks for sharing at Tuesday Turn About. I'll be featuring your post at tomorrow's party! Pinned!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Raquel! I am a self-proclaimed foodie and have enjoyed cooking and baking since I was little. I loved baking cookies with my mother and grandma as a child, and later making dinners for my parents to foster my passion while in high school. I also had a passion for organizing and keeping things tidy.

More about me →

Budget Meals

  • Pesto Meatballs with pasta.
    Pesto Meatballs and Spaghetti
  • Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
    Creamy Chicken Pot Pie
  • Slice Hawaiian rolls on plate with soda next to it.
    Hamburger Sliders Recipe
  • Slow Cooker Irish Beef stew recipe
    Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew
  • Chicken Egg Noodle Casserole
    Chicken Egg Noodle Casserole
  • Easy Fried chicken tenders
    Chicken Tenders Fried

Popular Recipes

  • Frozen Yogurt Cups with beries.
    Frozen Yogurt Cups
  • Pink Lemonade in glass.
    Homemade Pink Lemonade
  • How to make Chipotle Mayo Step 1
    Chipotle Mayo Recipe
  • Caramel Milkshake with whipped cream and caramel in glass.
    Caramel Milkshake
  • 4th of July cookie Cake with frosting.
    4th of July Cookie Cake
  • Lemon Jello Cake on plate.
    Lemon Jello Cake

Brunch Recipes

  • Red White and Blue Drink in glass.
    Red White and Blue Drink
  • 4th of July Poke Cake with slice.
    4th of July Poke Cake
  • 4th of July Strawberries on tray.
    4th of July Strawberries
  • Strawberry Blueberry Shortcakes.
    Strawberry Blueberry Shortcake
  • strawberry and blueberry parfaits
    Yogurt Parfait Recipe
  • Red White and Blue Oreos
    Red White and Blue Oreos
  • 4th of July Trifle
    Red White and Blue Trifle
  • Patriotic dessert cupcake
    Fourth of July Cupcakes

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy

Accessibility Statement

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 · Organized Island · Privacy Policy