Cranberry Meatballs

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These tart, tangy, savory, and sweet cranberry meatballs are sure to be a hit at your next party! The sauce takes ordinary cranberry sauce and adds some orange plus zesty flavors for a dish that cooks in a slow cooker requiring minimal prep. Slowly cooking the meatballs makes them plenty tender and juicy.

A platter of cranberry meatballs on the table with a bowl of rice and meatballs in the slow cooker.

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When it comes to holiday entertaining I want easy recipes. There's enough going on with shopping, the kid's performances, family visits, and so much more that I want simple dishes.

I love this one because it uses simple ingredients and requires very little active cooking time so I'm free to do other things. Even better, it has all the flavor of a labor-intensive dish -- from a quick saute of onions and garlic to the flavorful addition of chili sauce, and orange zest and juice brings it all together -- yet takes just minutes to prepare.

Serve it up right in the crockpot so they stay warm for the duration of your party or enjoy them served over white rice for a tasty main course.

If you love easy meatball recipes you will definitely want to try this Asian Turkey Meatballs Recipe next! And if the slow cooker is your favorite for easy meals, you're going to love my Slow Cooker Chicken Legs.

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Ingredients
Substitutions
Variations
How to Make Cranberry Meatballs
Storage Tips
Serving Ideas
Expert Tips
Recipe FAQs
More Cranberry Recipes
Cranberry Meatballs

Ingredients

Here's a look at the simple ingredients used to make cranberry glazed meatballs. They require minimal prep to make and are always a crowd-pleaser for parties.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Just a bit to saute the green onions. Feel free to swap it for another vegetable oil.
Green Onions: We will be using both white and green -- the white is cooked into the sauce while the green is used for garnish at the end. It delivers a much milder flavor than regular onion and along with the garlic, it creates a homemade flavor to the sauce for the meatballs.
Fresh or Minced Garlic: Adds more depth of flavor to the sauce. Feel free to add more depending on your preference for garlic flavor. Fresh garlic adds a more robust and aromatic touch to the dish than jarred minced garlic.
Meatballs: Use frozen homestyle meatballs for minimal prep when making cranberry meatballs. You can use any type of meatball you prefer -- either turkey or beef. Turkey cranberry meatballs make a leaner option than beef.
Chili Sauce: With a much more complex flavor than ketchup its spices and flavorings work perfectly with the cranberry sauce.
Cranberry Sauce: You will want to grab the jellied cranberry sauce in a can. It will create the base for the sauce and requires no prep.
Brown Sugar: Adds a bit more sweetness to the sauce. You can also use honey, maple syrup, or even granulated sugar instead. Adjust the quantity to achieve the desired level of sweetness.
Orange: Fresh orange zest and juice add a unique twist to your cranberry meatballs and the flavor tastes amazing with the cranberries!

See the recipe card for the full ingredient list and quantities of each one needed in the recipe.

Substitutions

Homemade Meatballs: Feel free to use homemade or fresh meatballs instead of frozen ones. Use seasoned ground meat to form your own meatballs and cook them in a pan. It's important to fully cook the meatballs before adding the cranberry sauce mixture to the meatballs.
Swap the Chili Sauce: While chili sauce adds a unique flavor, you can experiment with different sauces like barbecue or sweet and sour for a personalized touch. You may need to adjust the sweetness and spiciness to suit your taste.
Fresh Cranberries: Fresh cranberries will work but you may need to adjust the sweetness and consistency of the sauce. Consider adding a sweetener, like sugar, to taste and blend the fresh cranberries for a smoother texture.
Cranberry Jelly: Cranberry jelly can be used as a substitute but it may cook up with a slightly different texture. However, you will still achieve the desired sweet and tangy cranberry flavor in the sauce.

Variations

Cooking for a Crowd: Scale up the recipe by doubling or tripling the ingredients to accommodate a larger gathering. Ensure you have a slow cooker large enough to hold the increased quantity and avoid overfilling to ensure proper cooking.
Add Vegetables: Bell peppers, onions, or even pineapple chunks work great for added flavor and texture. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure the vegetables are cooked to your liking.
Spicy: If you enjoy a bit of heat add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture. Adjust the spice level to suit your taste.

How to Make Cranberry Meatballs

Here's a quick glance at making this slow cooker party meatballs recipe along with step-by-step photos. Be sure to check the recipe card for all the details.

Cook the white parts of the green onions and your minced garlic in olive oil for a few minutes or until it's fragrant and tender.
Add the chili sauce, cranberry sauce, brown sugar, orange zest, and orange juice to the pot. Whisk everything together until the sauce is heated through and smooth.

Cooking the garlic and white part of the green onion in a saucepan.

Ingredients added to the pot to make the cranberry sauce for the meatballs.

Place the frozen meatballs in a small 2-quart crock pot.
Pour the prepared cranberry sauce over the top of the meatballs.

Sauce added on top of the meatballs in the crockpot.

Cover and cook the meatballs on low for 4-6 hours. When done, top with the green parts of the green onions and serve.

Cranberry meatballs in the slow cooker topped with green onions.

Storage Tips

Leftovers: Store any leftover cranberry meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be reheated and enjoyed within 3-4 days when properly stored.
Freezer: If you have a large batch left you can also freeze them for up to three months. Thaw them out in the fridge overnight and then reheat.
Reheat: Return leftovers to a pot and heat over medium heat until heated through. If the sauce seems too thick you can add some liquid to thin it out.

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time and reheat them for a party?

Yes, absolutely! Prepare the meatballs and sauce ahead of time. Store them separately and refrigerate until you're ready to heat them in your slow cooker. This makes it a convenient and stress-free party dish.

Another option is to prepare just the sauce in advance and refrigerate it until you're ready to serve it. All you need to do is heat the sauce on the stovetop or in the microwave until it's warm and pour it over the frozen meatballs in the slow cooker.

Serving Ideas

These meatballs make a versatile dish. They work great as an appetizer, main course, or as a festive addition to a holiday buffet. The choice is yours!

Appetizer: Serve them up with other festive favorites such as Cold Crab Dip and Jalapeno Popper Dip.
Main Course: They go great over fluffy white rice or brown rice and a simple vegetable such as Oven Roasted Green Beans or Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots.
Holiday Buffet: Enjoy it with other tasty favorites such as Tortellini Pasta Salad or Lemon Orzo Salad as well as Smoked Chicken Legs and Grilled Chicken Wings.

Meatballs in cranberry sauce in a bowl with some on a plate on a skewer and a bowl of rice in the background.

Expert Tips

Adjusting the Sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little water or chicken broth to achieve the desired consistency. On the other hand, if it's too thin, simmer it uncovered for a bit to allow it to thicken.
Serve the Meatballs Warm. Serve the meatballs in the crockpot for parties so they can stay warm throughout your party. You may need to occasionally add a bit of liquid and stir them around as they sit.
Watch the Cooking Time. Not all slow cookers will cook the same so you may need to make adjustments based on your specific slow cooker model.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use thawed meatballs instead of frozen ones?

I highly recommend using frozen meatballs directly from the freezer. Thawing them beforehand may alter the cooking time and result in a different texture.

Can I cook these meatballs in the oven instead of a slow cooker?

Yes, you can! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), place the meatballs in a baking dish, and pour the heated sauce over them. Wrap the dish with foil and bake for approximately 30-40 minutes or until the meatballs are heated through.

Can I cook these meatballs on high heat for a shorter time?

I recommend cooking them on low heat for 4-6 hours for optimal tenderness. However, if you need to save some time, cook them on high for a shorter duration, but keep a close eye to prevent overcooking.

A wooden spoon with three meatballs held up over the crockpot full of meatballs.

More Cranberry Recipes

Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!