These slow cooker cranberry meatballs are a go-to for an easy appetizer or simple dinner. With just three main ingredients, this dish comes together quickly in your slow cooker.
Jump to:
- Why will you love <strong>Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs</strong>?
- <strong>Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs Ingredients</strong>
- How to Make Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
- Step 1: Make the Sauce
- Step 2: Add the Meatballs
- Step 3: Slow Cook to Finish
- What to Serve with Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
- Helpful Tricks for Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
- How to Store and Freeze Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs Recipe FAQs
- Can I make this with homemade meatballs?
- My sauce seems thin. How can I thicken it?
- Can I use whole berry cranberry sauce?
The sauce is a simple mix of jellied cranberry and sweet chili sauce, creating a wonderful sweet and tangy flavor. It takes just minutes to prepare, then the slow cooker does all the work.
Why will you love Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs?
Minimal Prep: You only need to open a few cans and bags. The slow cooker handles the rest.
Three Main Ingredients: The recipe relies on simple, easy-to-find pantry and freezer staples.
Versatile Dish: Serve them on toothpicks as a party appetizer or make it a meal with rice or noodles.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs Ingredients
• Frozen Meatballs: Use any type of fully cooked frozen meatball you like, such as beef, pork, chicken, or turkey.
• Jellied Cranberry Sauce: Whole berry cranberry sauce can be used, but it will result in a chunkier sauce with whole cranberries.
• Sweet Chili Sauce: This is a thick, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce often found in the international aisle. Do not substitute with chili sauce like Heinz.
• Variations: For a little extra flavor, you can add a tablespoon of soy sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.
How to Make Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
Step 1: Make the Sauce
Pour the jellied cranberry sauce and sweet chili sauce directly into your slow cooker. Use a whisk to break up the cranberry sauce and combine the two until they form a mostly smooth sauce.
Step 2: Add the Meatballs
Add the entire bag of frozen meatballs to the sauce. Stir everything together gently, making sure each meatball is coated in the sauce mixture.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Finish
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook. You can cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours. The meatballs are ready when they are hot all the way through.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
These meatballs are delicious served over a bed of fluffy white rice or with creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the extra sauce.
Helpful Tricks for Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
Food Safety: Because the meatballs are made from ground meat, ensure they reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) before serving.
Sauce Texture: The sauce will have some texture from the jellied cranberry sauce. For a smoother sauce, you can warm and whisk the sauces in a saucepan on the stove before adding them to the slow cooker.
Serving: These meatballs work well as an appetizer on toothpicks or as a main course over rice or mashed potatoes.
How to Store and Freeze Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended as the sauce texture may change upon thawing.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs Recipe FAQs
Can I make this with homemade meatballs?
Yes, you can use homemade meatballs. Brown them first and drain any excess fat before adding them to the slow cooker with the sauce. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly since they are not frozen.
My sauce seems thin. How can I thicken it?
The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Can I use whole berry cranberry sauce?
You can, but the final sauce will be much lumpier and have whole cranberries in it. If you prefer a smoother sauce, stick with the jellied variety.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 can jellied cranberry sauce (400 g) 14-ounce
- 1 bottle sweet chili sauce (340 g) 12-ounce
- 1 bag frozen fully cooked meatballs (680 g), 24-ounce
- Optional for garnish: sliced green onions or toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Pour the sweet chili sauce and jellied cranberry sauce into the basin of a 4-quart or larger slow cooker.
- Whisk the sauces together until the jellied cranberry sauce is mostly broken down and combined.
- Add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker.
- Stir gently to coat all the meatballs evenly with the sauce.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or on low for 4 to 5 hours.
- Stir the meatballs once halfway through the cooking time if you can. The dish is ready when the meatballs are heated through.
- Check that the internal temperature of the meatballs has reached 160°F (71°C) with a food thermometer.
- Serve warm. Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
