These super easy, tasty Cranberry Meatballs require just six ingredients and less than five minutes of prep time. They are the perfect party appetizer for your holiday events and entertaining.
They are always a crowd favorite, and I love to serve them with bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers, mini cheese balls, and hot spinach dip.
The weather is changing, and the holidays are quickly approaching. This is the time of year to catch up with friends and entertain. However, it can also be a very hectic time of the year, so having several quick, easy, and delicious appetizer recipes are a must.
These cranberry meatballs are pretty much a dump-and-go recipe. The crockpot takes care of the rest. The recipe is short on ingredients and prep time yet full of fabulous flavor. This is one of my go-to recipes during the hectic hustle and bustle of the season.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Jellied cranberry sauce: Usually starts appearing in grocery stores in early October and is available through the holidays. You can purchase it year-round on Amazon.
- Chili sauce: like Heinz or Bennetts chili sauce
- Sambal oelek: Sambal oelek is in the Asian food section of your local grocery store and adds a bit of kick to this recipe. It is a light kick, but if you have a sensitive palate, you can substitute it with a little bit of barbecue sauce or even orange juice.
- Precooked meatballs: I use frozen turkey/pork meatballs for this recipe, but any combination of beef, turkey, or pork will work fine. If time permits homemade meatballs are delicious as well. Make the meatball portion of the recipe and skip the gravy.
How To Make Cranberry Meatballs
Like I said, this is pretty much a dump-and-go recipe. At our house, we call this easy peezy! Add the canned jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, sambal oelek (ground fresh chili paste), and brown sugar to a crockpot. Cook on high for about an hour, letting the cranberry sauce melt and blend in with the other ingredients.
Now stir the sauce and add your frozen meatballs. Continue cooking on high for 2 1/2 hours or low for 4 hours. If desired garnish with thin slices of green onions for just a little pop of color.
Preparation Tips
- If you do not have a slow cooker, you can do this on the stovetop over very low heat, stirring often so nothing burns to the bottom of the pan. You could also do it on the stove in a baking dish or Dutch Oven.
- Once the meatballs have heated through and the sauce has cooked down slightly, turn your crock to warm to keep the sauce from getting too thick.
- For ease in entertaining serve straight from the crock with little cocktail plates and fancy toothpicks.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 14 ounce can jellied cranberry sauce
- 1 12 ounce jar chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons sambal oelek
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 lbs frozen precooked meatballs any combination of beef, turkey or pork
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
Instructions
- Add jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, sambal oelek and brown sugar to crockpot. Cook on high for 1 hour letting the cranberry sauce melt.
- Stir the sauce. Add frozen meatballs. Continue cooking on high for 2 1/2 hours or low for 4 hours. Garnish with thin slices of green onions.
Notes
- If you do not have a slow cooker, you can do this on the stovetop over very low heat, stirring often so nothing burns to the bottom of the pan. You could also do it on the stove in a baking dish or Dutch Oven.
- Once the meatballs are done, turn your crock to warm to keep the sauce from getting too thick.
- For ease in entertaining serve straight from the crock with little cocktail plates and fancy toothpicks.
Nutrition
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Fransico
These meatballs are the best. A family tradition for a couple of years now. They are a must try for all cranberry lovers and meatball lovers.
Sonia S
These super easy, tasty meatballs are absolutely delicious! I love that they require just six ingredients and less than five minutes of prep time. They are the perfect party appetizer for holiday events and entertaining.
Carol
That’s so easy and yum! But where do I get the sambal oelek?
Beth Pierce
From the Asian food section of the grocery store.
Barbie R.
These cranberry meatballs are perfect for the holiday season! I love the balance of sweet and savory flavors, and the slow cooker makes it so convenient.
Lisa
These meatballs are so good! We make these every year for a Thanksgiving and New Years Eve appetizer.
Stephanie
What a clever combination – cranberries and meatballs! These will be perfect appetizers for our upcoming holiday parties. Nice to have something so delicious to serve yet so simple to make.
Beth Pierce
I agree 100% Thanks, Stephanie! Enjoy!
Ben
These are crazy good. I love the sweet and tangy flavors with the meatballs. Yum!
Stacie Ki
I’m making this for sure. Looks so healthy and appetizing.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stacie! Enjoy!
Allison C
This looks like a cinch to put together for a crowd! I will keep it on hand. I’m curious how the taste of cranberries will go with meatballs, but I guess the sambal oelek & other ingredients will make it sweet & sour!?
Emily
These meatballs are so yummy! I never thought of adding in cranberries, but it’s a great idea and taste – especially for Thanksgiving for Christmas.
Denise
What could you use if you can’t find sambal leok
Beth Pierce
2-3 teaspoons of sriracha (to taste) or a little bit of crush red pepper (go slowly to taste)
Micki
Oh yum! I love that these are so easy to make! They’re perfect for when we have family over for the holidays!
Jenn
I love that it’s an easy dump-and-go ordeal – so perfect for this hectic holiday season! Thanks for the recipe!
Renee Goerger
I’ve never used sambal oelek before and don’t recall ever seeing it in the store. Now I’m excited to look for it and use it in these meatballs. They look incredible and they’ll be perfect to serve all through the holidays.
Sandi
These made the best appetizer for our party last weekend. Super yummy!