Description
Sweet, tangy, and a little smoky, these easy slow cooker cranberry meatballs are the ultimate hands-off holiday appetizer. With just 15 minutes of prep, the slow cooker does all the work, delivering perfectly glazed meatballs that disappear fast at any party.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds frozen beef or homestyle meatballs
- 1 can (14 ounces) jellied cranberry sauce
- 1 bottle (12 ounces) chili sauce
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Toothpicks or small skewers (for serving)
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Whisk until the cranberry sauce is mostly broken up and the mixture is smooth.
- Place the frozen meatballs directly into the slow cooker insert in an even layer.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the meatballs and gently stir to coat each one.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce has thickened into a glossy glaze.
- Stir gently halfway through the cooking time.
- Just before serving, switch the slow cooker to WARM. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
- Serve directly from the slow cooker or transfer to a serving platter with toothpicks.
Notes
For best texture, use frozen meatballs straight from the bag. Avoid thawing. If sauce is too thin at the end, remove lid and cook on HIGH for an additional 20-30 minutes. For a spicier version, add 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 2 tablespoons sriracha. For a bourbon twist, replace apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons bourbon.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 to 5 meatballs wit
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 720
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 18
Keywords: cranberry meatballs, slow cooker meatballs, holiday appetizer, party meatballs, easy appetizer