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    Home ≫ Appetizers

    Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs

    Updated January 7, 2022. Originally Posted November 21, 2020 By Nikole This post may contain Amazon affiliate links.

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    A bowl of cranberry meatballs.
    cranberry meatballs
    Cranberry Sauce meatballs.
    A bowl of cranberry meatballs.
    cranberry meatballs

    This sweet and tangy cranberry meatball recipe is a great party appetizer that uses up leftover or canned cranberry sauce. This easy recipe is made in the crockpot or slow cooker with frozen meatballs, bbq and chili sauce. Ready in about 3 hours. 

    A bowl of cranberry meatballs.

    A simple appetizer you can make in the crockpot!

    Why you'll love this recipe

    It's so easy! You know that easy recipes are the jam around here! And this one couldn't be easier. Just dump the ingredients into the crockpot, set and forget it!

    It's made with seasonal ingredients. You'll love this yummy way to use up that leftover Thanksgiving cranberry sauce. I use this Fresh Cranberry Sauce recipe. Or, if you're into the canned variety, just buy and extra and use that!

    Great for parties or anytime you need to feed a crowd. This cranberry meatball recipe is great for feeding family and friends during the holidays. It's also a nice take along for pot lucks and buffets.

    Ingredients

    Frozen meatballs, bbq sauce, chili sauce, cranberry sauce, crushed pineapple.

    Put leftover cranberry sauce to good use!

    How do I make crockpot cranberry meatballs

    Spray the slow cooker insert with cooking spray. Toss frozen meatballs in. 

    Combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, bbq sauce, and pineapple together. 

    The frozen meatballs in the crockpot. The sauce next to the crockpot.

    Pour the sauce over the meatballs. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. 

    The sauce poured over the frozen meatballs.

    Garnish with sliced green onions or chopped parsley. Serve with toothpicks as an appetizer or over rice or pasta as a main dish.

    Recipe notes and tips

    I used frozen meatballs that came in a 32 ounce bag. There were about 60 meatballs total that were about half an ounce each. Feel free to use homemade. Be sure meatballs are pre-cooked.

    This cranberry meatball recipe is versatile. No cranberry sauce? No problem. A small jar (12-20 ounces) of grape, strawberry, or (seedless) raspberry jam, will make a great substitute.

    A spicy BBQ sauce will give this dish the most tang. However, you can use your favorite even if it's more on the sweet side. Ketchup will also work!

    Crushed pineapple is optional, but I like the added sweetness it gives the dish. You can use ¼ cup brown sugar instead.

    Add some water to the crockpot if the sauce is getting too thick. Start with about ⅛ of a cup and add more as necessary. Stir to combine.

    A bowl of cranberry meatballs topped with sliced green onions.

    An easy appetizer that feeds a crowd.

    More crockpot/slow cooker recipes to try

    Crockpot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Meat Sauce

    Crockpot Loaded Mashed Potatoes

    Thank you for reading this recipe! If you make it, I’d love for you to give it a ★ rating  below. This lets me know what you like and want to see more of.

    And since you made it this far, let’s connect on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! I appreciate your support.

    A bowl of cranberry meatballs.

    Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs

    Recipe by Nikole Berg
    This sweet and tangy cranberry meatball recipe is a great appetizer that uses up leftover or canned cranberry sauce. This easy recipe is made in the crockpot or slow cooker with frozen meatballs, bbq and chili sauce. Ready in about 3 hours.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 4 hrs
    Total Time 4 hrs 5 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 310 kcal

    Equipment

    Crockpot/Slow Cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 32 oz pkg pre-cooked frozen cocktail meatballs, or homemade about 60 meatballs that are .5 oz each
    • 1 to 2 cups leftover cranberry sauce or 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
    • 12 oz jar chili sauce
    • 1 cup bbq sauce
    • 8 oz can crushed pineapple undrained or 1 cup fresh, chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Spray the slow cooker insert with cooking spray. Toss frozen meatballs in.
    • Combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, bbq sauce, and pineapple together. Pour over meatballs.
    • Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
    • Garnish with sliced green onions or chopped parsley. Serve with toothpicks as an appetizer or over rice or pasta as a main dish.

    Notes

    • This cranberry meatball recipe is versatile. No cranberry sauce? No problem. A small jar (12-20 ounces) of grape, strawberry, or (seedless) raspberry jam, will make a great substitute.
    • A spicy BBQ sauce will give this dish the most tang. However, you can use your favorite even if it’s more on the sweet side.
    • Crushed pineapple is optional, but I like the added sweetness it gives the dish. You can use ¼ cup brown sugar instead.
    • Add some water to the crockpot if the sauce is getting too thick. Start with about ⅛ of a cup and add more as necessary.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 5meatballsCalories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 14gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 679mgPotassium: 347mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 170IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword appetizers, cocktail meatballs, party food
    Tried this recipe?Click here to leave a helpful tip!

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    About Nikole

    Nikole is the creator and photographer behind The Travel Palate, a food and travel blog featuring quick and flavorful recipes and getaway guides. Nikole hopes to inspire your inner foodie whether you're in the kitchen or traveling on your next adventure.

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    Welcome, I'm Nikole! I'm the blogger, photographer, and recipe developer dedicated to bringing you recipes that are simple to make, affordable and taste incredible.

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