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Home » Slow Cooker + Instant Pot » Cranberry Meatballs

Cranberry Meatballs

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon Jessica Randhawa
December 13, 2021
4.84 from 86 votes


Last Updated December 13, 2021 | 5 Comments

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Cranberry Meatballs are made by slow-cooking frozen meatballs in a sweet and tangy homemade cranberry bbq sauce. So easy to make, these delicious little meatballs are the perfect holiday or party appetizer!

Cooked party meatballs in a large slow cooker covered with cranberry sauce.

I love all kinds of meatballs, but these are some of my favorite. Festive, yet flexible, these tasty little cranberry meatballs are perfect for the holidays, tailgating, or as an easy weeknight dinner. Prepared and cooked entirely in your Crockpot, all you need is 5-minutes to throw it all together. They’re sweet, tangy, a little spicy, and always a crowd favorite!

How to Make Cranberry Meatballs

Combine the cranberry sauce, hoisin sauce, ketchup, red wine vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, hot sauce (optional) minced garlic, ground ginger, and cayenne pepper (optional) in the bowl of a large (6-8 quart) Crock-Pot. Use a rubber spatula to mix until fully combined.

Add the fresh cranberries and frozen meatballs and mix well to coat the meatballs in the cranberry sauce.

Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 3-4 hours, or until the sauce is bubbly and the meatballs are heated through. Set the slow cooker warm until ready to serve.

Recipe tips

  • Look for mini or “party size” meatballs as they are the easiest to eat at parties or gatherings.
  • Omit the hot sauce and cayenne powder if you are sensitive to spicy foods.
Silver bowl filled with party-size cranberry sauce covered meatballs garnished with fresh parsley.

Can I use homemade meatballs?

Yes, absolutely. For best results, bake or pan-fry the meatballs bedore adding them to your slow cooker and covering in sauce. This prevents the meatballs from getting stuck togetherl.

Leftovers

Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place the meatballs on a microwave safe plate or dish and cover with a paper towel. Microwave for 30-second intervals. You can also reheat in the Crockpot. Cook on high for 1 hour or on low for 1-2 hours, or until heated through.

How to Serve Cranberry Meatballs

These delicious little cranberry meatballs can be served in so many ways for football parties, birthday parties, potlucks, New Year’s Eve parties, or for dinner with a side of white rice, mashed potatoes, and roasted veggies like butternut squash or Brussels sprouts.

Overhead image of a shallow bowl filled with cranberry meatballs garnished with chopped parsley.

More Meatball Recipes to Love

  • Easy Meatballs Recipe (and How to Freeze Them!)
  • Hawaiian Meatballs Recipe
  • Buffalo Turkey Meatballs
  • Albondigas Soup Recipe (Mexican Meatball Soup)
  • Easy Meatballs Recipe – How to Make Meatballs

Have you tried making this Cranberry Meatballs Recipe?

Tell me about it in the comments below! I always love to hear your thoughts. And tag me #theforkedspoon on Instagram if you’ve made any of my recipes, I always love to see what you’re cooking in the kitchen.

Sweet and Tangy Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs

Cranberry Meatballs (Crock-Pot)

4.84 from 86 votes
Chef: Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked SpoonJessica Randhawa
Cranberry Meatballs are made by slow-cooking frozen meatballs in a sweet and tangy homemade cranberry bbq sauce. So easy to make, these delicious little meatballs are the perfect holiday or party appetizer!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 2 hrs
Total Time 2 hrs 5 mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 84 mini meatballs (varies)
Calories 50 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups fresh cranberry sauce - homemade or store bought
  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 3½ tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2½ tablespoon hot sauce - I used Frank's RedHot (optional)
  • 5 cloves garlic - minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne - optional
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 40 oz frozen party meatballs
  • Fresh chopped parsley - to garnish
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Instructions
 

  • Make the sauce: In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the cranberry sauce, hoisin sauce, ketchup, red wine vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, hot sauce (optional), minced garlic, ground ginger, and cayenne (if using). Mix until fully combined and add fresh cranberries (you may also mix everything together directly in your slow cooker).
  • Add everything to the slow cooker: Add the frozen meatballs to the bowl of a 6-8 quart slow cooker. Pour in the cranberry sauce and stir well to combine.
  • Cook: Turn on the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 3-4 hours, or until the sauce is bubbly and the meatballs are heated through.
  • Keep warm and serve:. Once fully cooked, place your slow cooker on the warm setting until ready to serve. Serve garnished with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.

Video

Jessica’s Notes

  • If you’re super sensitive to spicy foods, or you’re making these for a big group of people, maybe start with 1 tablespoon of hot sauce, or hold off and add it at the end.
  • Pro tip- make your own cranberry sauce! It’s super easy and tastes like a million bucks.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 56mg | Potassium: 9mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.1mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Cranberry Meatballs, Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs, Slow Cooker Meatballs
Did You Make This Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @theforkedspoon or tag #theforkedspoon and please leave your star rating in the comment section below.

About Jessica

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

5.4K shares
Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

About Jessica Randhawa

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

Comments

  1. Sue says

    December 16, 2021 at 4:02 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks looking good for Christmas wow 🤩

    Reply
  2. Esther says

    January 25, 2020 at 11:50 am

    Can I use sicilian style meatballs, they already come spice.

    Reply
    • Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked SpoonJessica Randhawa says

      January 25, 2020 at 7:25 pm

      Hi Ester,

      I don’t see why not – they sound yummy 🙂

      Reply
  3. Christina says

    December 27, 2018 at 6:12 pm

    5 stars
    I served these at our Christmas brunch. They were delicious, but too spicy for most of our clan. I wish I’d seen the note at the bottom of the post sooner, but it’s my own fault for not tasting as I went. Thanks, Jessica!

    Reply
  4. Bryan says

    November 28, 2018 at 3:19 pm

    5 stars
    These look good enough to eat them by themselves! I have to try this really soon ,thank you!

    Reply

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Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

I’m Jessica! Aka mom, wife, chef, and travel-obsessed photographer. Welcome to The Forked Spoon. Here you can browse hundreds of incredible family-friendly recipes covering dozens of diets, courses, and cuisines. Learn more about me.

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