Print

Cozy Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs: Easy Holiday Appetizer

crockpot cranberry meatballs - featured image
Print Recipe

These sweet-tangy Crockpot cranberry meatballs are the ultimate easy holiday appetizer. Made with frozen meatballs and a simple cranberry-chili sauce, they’re perfect for parties and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (about 900g) frozen fully cooked meatballs (homestyle or Italian-style)
  • 1 can (14 ounces or 397g) jellied cranberry sauce
  • 1 can (14 ounces or 397g) whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 bottle (12 ounces or 340g) chili sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2g) garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon (0.5g) red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Pinch of salt and black pepper
  • Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish, optional)
  • Toasted sesame seeds or chopped pecans (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the jellied cranberry sauce and whole berry cranberry sauce. Use a whisk to break up the jellied sauce into smaller pieces. Add the chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar (if using), garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well combined.
  2. Place the frozen meatballs directly into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Spread them out in an even layer.
  3. Pour the cranberry mixture evenly over the meatballs. Gently stir to coat all the meatballs.
  4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours (or on high for 2 to 3 hours).
  5. About 2 hours in (or 1 hour if cooking on high), give the meatballs a gentle stir.
  6. After cooking, check that the meatballs are heated through and tender. If the sauce seems too thin, uncover and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes.
  7. Switch the slow cooker to the ‘warm’ setting for serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives and toasted sesame seeds or chopped pecans if desired. Serve directly from the slow cooker with toothpicks or small forks.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free meatballs and check that your chili sauce and Worcestershire are certified gluten-free. For a lower-sugar option, use no-sugar-added cranberry sauce and skip the brown sugar. These meatballs taste even better the next day—make them ahead and reheat on low for 1-2 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry meatballs, crockpot meatballs, holiday appetizer, easy appetizer, slow cooker meatballs

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/cozy-crockpot-cranberry-meatballs-easy-holiday-appetizer/