The holidays are all about bringing people together with delicious food, and if you’re looking for an easy and festive appetizer that will impress your guests, look no further than these slow cooker cranberry meatballs. This simple yet flavorful recipe is a twist on the classic grape jelly meatballs but uses cranberry sauce for a tangy, seasonal flavor that’s perfect for your holiday gatherings. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dish ready to serve.
Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
If you’ve ever made the traditional grape jelly meatballs, you know how easy it is to throw everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work. But sometimes, it’s nice to switch things up and bring something a little different to the table. That’s where these cranberry meatballs come in! Here’s why they’re a perfect choice for your next holiday gathering:
- Easy to Make: The slow cooker does all the work for you. Just mix everything together and set it to cook.
- Festive and Flavorful: Cranberry sauce adds a festive pop of color and tang, making this dish perfect for Christmas or any holiday.
- Budget-Friendly: Cranberry sauce is often on sale around the holidays, making this dish both affordable and delicious.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether served on tiny forks or straight from the crockpot, these meatballs are sure to be a hit at your next family meal or holiday party.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
To make these slow cooker cranberry meatballs, you’ll need just a few ingredients that are easy to find and super affordable. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 bag frozen meatballs (about 28 oz)
- 1 can (14 oz) whole cranberry sauce (or you can use fresh cranberry sauce if you have leftovers from Thanksgiving)
- 1 jar (12 oz) chili sauce or cocktail sauce
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions:
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Start by placing your frozen meatballs into the slow cooker.
- Add the Sauces: Add the cranberry sauce (you can use whole or jellied cranberry sauce) and the chili sauce. Mix everything together well to ensure the meatballs are coated.
- Sweeten It Up: Stir in the brown sugar. The sugar helps balance the tangy flavor of the cranberry sauce and creates a perfect sweet and savory sauce.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours. Give it a stir halfway through to make sure everything is well combined.
- Serve: Once they’re done, you can serve your slow cooker cranberry meatballs on a festive red plate with tiny forks (I found mine at the Dollar Tree for a fun, gourmet touch!). Alternatively, you can serve them straight from the crockpot for a more casual family-style meal.
Tips for Serving Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
- Presentation: If you want to make your cranberry meatballs look extra festive, serve them on a red plate with small cocktail forks. These little details will make your dish look gourmet, even though it’s incredibly simple to make.
- Serve in the Crockpot: If you prefer a more casual approach, you can keep the meatballs in the crockpot for guests to serve themselves. This also keeps them warm throughout the event.
- Add Extra Flavor: If you love a little extra kick, you can add a splash of hot sauce or a pinch of chili flakes to the chili sauce for some heat.
Why Use Cranberry Sauce Instead of Grape Jelly?
Many slow cooker meatball recipes call for grape jelly as the base of the sauce (like this one!) . While grape jelly works well, it’s a bit sweet and can overpower the other flavors. Cranberry sauce, on the other hand, has a natural tartness that adds a refreshing twist. Plus, cranberry sauce is readily available during the holiday season and often goes on sale, making it a great budget-friendly option.
Using cranberry sauce not only makes these meatballs more seasonal, but it also gives them a beautiful pop of color, making them perfect for Christmas or Thanksgiving. If you have leftover cranberry sauce from your holiday meals, this is a great way to repurpose it into a new dish.
Budget-Friendly and Simple
One of the best things about these slow cooker cranberry meatballs is that they’re incredibly budget-friendly. Cranberry sauce can often be found for under $2 during the holiday season, which is actually cheaper than grape jelly. Combine that with frozen meatballs and a few pantry staples, and you’ve got an appetizer that tastes amazing without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
These slow cooker cranberry meatballs are an easy, festive, and budget-friendly dish that will be the star of your holiday table. With a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a mouthwatering appetizer that your family and guests will love. Whether you’re serving them for a casual family dinner or a holiday party, they’re sure to be a hit!
So, this holiday season, try this simple twist on a classic recipe and enjoy the perfect balance of sweetness, tang, and flavor. Slow cooker cranberry meatballs are just what you need to bring a little extra holiday cheer to your meal!
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slow cooker cranberry meatballs
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Yield: 8–10 1x
Description
This festive slow cooker cranberry meatball recipe is the perfect twist on the traditional grape jelly meatballs, with a tangy cranberry kick that will impress your guests. It’s so easy to make with just four ingredients, and the result is a flavorful and colorful appetizer or party dish. You can use fresh cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving or the canned version. The addition of chili sauce and brown sugar adds just the right balance of sweetness and tang. Serve them with tiny forks on a red plate for a gourmet touch that feels extra special!
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen meatballs (about 28 oz)
- 1 can (14 oz) whole cranberry sauce (or fresh cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving)
- 1 jar (12 oz) chili sauce or cocktail sauce
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Place the frozen meatballs in the crockpot.
- Add the cranberry sauce (whole or jellied) and chili sauce. Mix well.
- Stir in the brown sugar to balance the tanginess of the cranberry sauce.
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Once cooked, serve on a festive red plate with small forks (found at the Dollar Tree) for a gourmet touch. Alternatively, serve straight from the crockpot for an easy family meal.
- Cook Time: 4 hours
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