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Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Recipe! {Just 3 Ingredients}

February 2, 2010 By Heidi 43 Comments

I may get paid for ads or purchases made through links in this post.

This Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Recipe makes a fabulous appetizer for your holiday parties, and a hands-down must-have for Game Day!

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

Looking for an easy Meatball party appetizer?  Or a delicious Cranberry twist on your meatball sandwich?  You’re going to LOVE this easy 3 ingredient Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Recipe!  The tasty glaze is sweet, and tangy, and oh-so-tasty!

Your guests will go crazy for this deliciously easy Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer!  With just 5 minutes of prep, this is one of the EASIEST appetizers you’ll ever make!  Plus, they’re just 3 easy ingredients, and always the STAR of the party!!

Seriously… when you combine cranberry sauce with chili sauce, the flavor of the meatballs goes through the roof!  And when they’re done cooking, you can keep them warm when you serve them straight from your slow cooker with a side of toothpicks.  Easy-peasy!  So what are you waiting for… go grab your Crockpot, some Cranberry Jelly and Chili Sauce!  It’s time to get this party started!

Here’s what you’ll do…

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

Related:

  • 20+ Easy Meatball Recipes

Can I Cook Frozen Meatballs In Slow Cooker?

So are you wondering: Do I thaw meatballs before putting in crockpot?  The answer is NO for this Cranberry Meatballs recipe.

For this recipe, you’ll simply place your frozen meatballs right into the slow cooker.  Then you’ll cover the meatballs with your 2 ingredient sauce.

That’s all you have to do.  These frozen meatballs really are so easy to make!

What To Serve With Cranberry Meatballs?

Most Frugal Girls readers love to serve these meatballs as a party appetizer or for holiday dinners.

Other ways you can serve these meatballs:

  • For Dinner with a side of Loaded Smashed Potatoes.
  • On a Sub Sandwich.
  • At a Holiday Potluck.

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs

Crockpot Meatballs Cranberry Chili Sauce

Crockpot Meatballs Cranberry Sauce

Crockpot Meatballs Cranberry Jelly

What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About This Recipe:

Tiffany writes: “Just do it! Best and easiest recipe ever. These have been my Thanksgiving tradition every year and everyone texts me a week before get togethers requesting them. 5 out of 5 stars!”

Rebecca writes: “This was a very easy recipe and every time I make it the compliments are plentiful!!”

Jennifer writes: “This is a huge hit when I make it! 10/10 recommend”

Tiffany writes: “I make these at least every other week!!!  Everyone who try’s them loves them!!!”

Mary Jo writes: “This is my go-to meatball recipe.  It’s so easy to make and tastes yummy.  I’ve gotten numerous requests for this recipe.”

Amber writes: “I had a mock Thanksgiving dinner one night and made turkey meatballs with this sauce.  I honestly did not expect it to be as tasty as it was!”

Kim writes: “Sweet and tangy!”

Cathy writes: “Meatballs were a hit, perfect balance of sweet & tangy.”

Leslie writes: “This was really good.  Makes a perfect appetizer.”

Mandie writes: “Super easy and delicious! My son loved them.”

Skadia writes: “Made these for a Christmas Party – they were very well received and no left overs!”

Angela writes: “Made these for Christmas Eve!  Everyone loved them and they were SO easy!  Definitely a keeper!”

Jasmine writes: “These were a hit at the office holiday potluck!”

Lisa writes: “I make these for parties.  Easy and well liked.  Use my own meatballs that I bake in the oven, then add to sauce and keep warm.”

Jenna writes: “Love these!!!!! So easy! I made a double batch and they were gone in no time.”

Devon writes: “Super easy to make! Change of pace from the grape jelly ones.”

Melissa writes: “I made these for Thanksgiving and added 1 tbsp Dijon mustard. Delish”

Jessica writes: “My kids love this. We use this recipe to make meatball subs. You can also substitute grape or apple jelly instead of cranberry sauce. All very good!”

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Recipe
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Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

This Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Recipe makes a fabulous appetizer for your holiday parties, and a hands-down must-have for Game Day!
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time2 hrs
Total Time2 hrs 5 mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Author: The Frugal Girls

Ingredients

  • 26 ounces Fully-Cooked Frozen Meatballs {try this Easy Meatball Recipe} or use a bag of store-bought meatballs {approx. 26 oz.}
  • 14 ounces Jellied Cranberry Sauce {1 can}
  • 12 ounces Heinz Chili Sauce

Instructions

  • Combine Cranberry Jelly and Chili Sauce in a bowl, and stir until well combined.
  • Based upon your preferences, you can alter the proportions of cranberry jelly {sweet} and chili sauce {tangy}.
  • Add frozen meatballs to Crockpot and cover with sauce mixture.
  • Heat on HIGH for 2 hours or LOW for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Once they’re nice and hot, let simmer on LOW or WARM setting, and serve straight from your slow cooker. ENJOY!

What You’ll Need for This Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Recipe:

5 – 6 quart Crock Pot

These get gobbled up so quickly at my house! They’re sweet… and tangy… and super-easy to make!

So are you craving even more Easy Meatball Recipes and more of the easiest Easy Appetizer Recipes ever?  I’ve got some ideas I know you’re really gonna love.

Have fun exploring these yummy recipe ideas below…

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This easy recipe is the perfect party appetizer!  Delicious and just 3 ingredients!

Crock Pot BBQ Meatball Recipe

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These meatballs are the perfect combination of sweet and savory!  Always the hit of the party!

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Tantalize and tempt everyone when you make this irresistible BBQ Coke Instant Pot Meatballs Appetizer!

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So, are you looking for another delicious appetizer??  Check out this Crockpot Barbecue Root Beer Meatballs recipe!

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Get dinner done in a jiffy with this easy Pressure Cooker Italian Meatballs Recipe!

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Whether you need an appetizer or an entree, these easy Crock Pot Italian Meatballs deliver loads of flavor!

Crockpot Italian Meatball Recipe from TheFrugalGirls.com

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This sweet and sticky barbecue Orange Glazed Meatballs Recipe creates a slow cooked masterpiece that is absolutely divine!

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Make these meatballs as an appetizer, or serve as a main course with rice for dinner.  Have a little party no matter the day!

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Every tasty bite of this Crockpot BBQ Coca-Cola Kielbasa Recipe will send you on a flavor adventure!

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Crock Pot Kielbasa BBQ Ranch

The combination of ranch and barbecue make it pretty much irresistible!  Grab the toothpicks, and let your guests go to town!

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This Crockpot Bacon Wrapped Smokies Recipe is an absolutely delicious and mouth-watering appetizer!

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So have you tried this perfect for kickoff Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Recipe yet?

Leave a comment & share!

Crockpot Meatballs Easy Chili Sauce Cranberry Meatball Recipe

Cranberry Meatballs in the Crockpot Recipe at TheFrugalGirls.com

Cranberry Meatballs Recipe at TheFrugalGirls.com
Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Recipe from TheFrugalGirls.com

Filed Under: Appetizers, Crockpot Recipe, Recipes Tagged With: Beef, Cranberry, Game Day, Meatballs

Comments

  1. Kathryn says

    December 14, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    Do you thaw the meatballs before putting them in the crockpot?

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      December 14, 2021 at 9:37 pm

      Hi Kathryn ~ there is no need to thaw the meatballs… you’ll put them in the crockpot frozen. Enjoy! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Brooke frisk says

    October 14, 2017 at 10:14 am

    Can I use raw meatballs? I could cook them on high for 4 to 6hrs??

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      October 16, 2017 at 7:01 pm

      Hi Brooke ~ I’ve found that this particular recipe works better using cooked meatballs. If making homemade meatballs, I’d suggest just cooking them prior to using them in this recipe. Here’s a link to one of my favorite Easy Meatball Recipes…

      https://thefrugalgirls.com/2009/10/easy-meatball-recipe.html

      Hope that helps!

      Reply
  3. Mandy says

    February 5, 2017 at 11:23 am

    Love this!!!!

    Reply
    • Wyhette says

      December 30, 2021 at 12:56 pm

      Can I heat on stove top?

      Reply
  4. kayla says

    November 15, 2014 at 10:45 am

    I am going to try these tonight for my sons and serve them over bow tie pasta. should be yummy. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Debby says

    May 19, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    Can you slow cook on low 8 hours instead of
    High for 3?

    Reply
    • Babs says

      December 11, 2022 at 8:21 am

      how much heinz chili sauce and cranberry cans for 3lb of meatballs in crockpot?

      Reply
  6. Cookie Gonzalez says

    February 7, 2014 at 4:29 am

    I have always made these meatballs with Bar-B-Que sauce,
    but your recipe sounds really good, and different.
    Will try them very soon!

    Reply
  7. Angie says

    February 1, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    I like mine this way…yummy!
    meatballs(3 lbs), 8 oz tomato sauce, 1 can saurkraut, 1 jar chili sauce, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 can cranberries. I usually add 2 cans tomato sauce

    Reply
  8. Sara says

    December 24, 2013 at 3:13 am

    An old friend always uses grape jelly and salsa (whichever heat level you like). THEY ARE AMAZING!! Give it a try.

    Reply
  9. Sarah Cowan says

    December 18, 2013 at 6:53 am

    How many meatballs should I use? I purchased frozen ones.

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      December 18, 2013 at 10:19 am

      Hi Sarah ~ I’d let them defrost a bit first, then add enough to cover the bottom of your crockpot. Hope that helps! 😉

      Reply
  10. sharon says

    November 20, 2013 at 6:45 pm

    Use deer meat ground up make meat balls with onion and some seasons of choice bake on a cookie sheet and then add to crockpot.

    Reply
  11. Jen says

    November 6, 2013 at 10:53 am

    My mother made this for decades and now I make it. Just had some a few weeks ago. Mmmmmmm

    Reply
  12. Mary says

    September 20, 2013 at 7:06 pm

    Hi everyone! I like to share this one with you, grape jelly and cocktail sauce.. Eat them by themselves or serve with rice. Sound weird, but I like mine with corn.

    Reply
  13. Serra Brindley says

    April 11, 2013 at 7:41 pm

    I have been using this reicpe for YEARS. Everyone always raves about them and can never believe the two indredients!

    Reply
  14. jennifer jones says

    January 2, 2013 at 8:12 pm

    We make these every Christmas eve, gone within an hour! Love them!

    Reply
  15. Renee says

    December 31, 2012 at 1:23 am

    Can You buy meatballs already frozen at the store due to time? Really Appreciate your site.:) Thank You!

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      December 31, 2012 at 10:42 am

      Hi Renee ~ absolutely… you can definitely substitute frozen meatballs from the store. 😉 Enjoy!!

      ~ Heidi

      Reply
  16. Patty Kay says

    December 30, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    I have used chili sauce with apple jelly when
    I catered……a real hit!!!!!!

    Reply
  17. Jan j says

    December 30, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    My family taught me to use chili sauce; it is a little more expensive, but it is much better than BBQ sauce, at least for me, beacuse I usually use the cheap bottles of Kraft, which is mostly just corn syrup ( high fructose)

    Reply
    • CincyGirl69 says

      December 30, 2012 at 3:12 pm

      Agreed, chili sauce is better than bbq sauce…but last year, I got paid to take bbq sauce using coupons, so to me, it was certainly worth the trade-off! I’ve also used my rendition of Chinese ketchup on these…a mixture of ketchup, oyster sauce (or Hoisin), soy sauce and sriracha sauce for heat…it’s tangy, sweet, hot and just plain addictive. Equal amounts of ketchup and oyster (or Hoisin if you prefer it but oyster sauce is better), a splash of soy sauce and you use as much hot sriracha sauce as you’d like. That’s it. Mix and keep in fridge.

      Reply
  18. Jeanne says

    October 2, 2012 at 10:29 am

    If I made the meatballs from scratch do I need to freeze them add them into the crock pot after I’ve already cooked them in the oven? Or do I put them in the crock pot uncooked??
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      October 2, 2012 at 10:31 am

      Hi Jeanne ~ yes… you’ll want to cook them in the oven prior to adding them to the crockpot.

      ~ Heidi

      Reply
      • Jeanne says

        October 2, 2012 at 10:37 am

        Thanks for responding so quick! I can’t wait to try them.

        Reply
        • CincyGirl69 says

          December 30, 2012 at 3:07 pm

          Jeanne, these are also really good to make ahead and put on sub rolls! Meatball sub without pizza sauce!

          Reply
  19. Yvonne says

    January 16, 2012 at 9:23 am

    I’m making this tonight! Can’t wait!

    Reply
  20. Sara says

    September 15, 2011 at 10:30 am

    I have an extra can of Cranberry sauce from last year’s Thanksgiving that I need to use up, this would be perfect, thanks!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      December 29, 2011 at 2:34 pm

      I just made these for Christmas! Everyone was anxiously awaiting my arrival! I have made them both ways (jelly or cranberry sauce). Cranberry sauce is usually cheaper, so that’s what I’ve been doing lately.

      Reply
      • CincyGirl69 says

        December 30, 2012 at 3:06 pm

        I go to Aldi, and the grape jelly is actually cheaper than cranberry jelly unless you stock up on the cranberry sauce/jelly around the holidays for a buck a can. I’ve also used red raspberry jam in this recipe with chicken/turkey meatballs, for ppl who can’t eat red meat. It’s good, either way. I prefer the beef.

        Reply
  21. Laura says

    May 23, 2011 at 10:09 pm

    I made these for a recent family gathering. They were a HUGE hit and gone in minutes!! Thank you for this yummy recipe!

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      May 24, 2011 at 5:34 am

      You’re very welcome, Laura! I’m so glad you liked them! 😉

      ~ Heidi

      Reply
  22. Olivia says

    February 5, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    Looks yummy! We’re looking forward to game day around here too!

    Reply
  23. Sherry says

    February 5, 2010 at 11:28 am

    Sounds delish!!

    Reply
  24. Melissa says

    February 4, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    I haven’t tried this combo. I usually do just the chili sauce or I do the cranberry sauce with sauerkraut. Thanks for the new idea!

    Reply
  25. angie says

    February 4, 2010 at 10:41 am

    I know these go fast I am going to try your recipe as I normally use grape jelly and barbq sauce

    Reply
  26. Diana Rose says

    February 3, 2010 at 1:25 pm

    I make mine like Cindy, but I want to try your way or even mixing the grape jelly with the cranberry sauce.

    Reply
  27. Cindy F. says

    February 3, 2010 at 6:52 am

    We make a very similar recipe, but we use grape jelly instead of cranberry sauce. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • CincyGirl69 says

      December 30, 2012 at 3:03 pm

      I make mine with bbq sauce and grape jelly, same proportions. If I’m making it for a dinner party, I add sriracha hot sauce (Thai hot sauce, the kind with the green lid and rooster on front.) They are amazingly good and you can buy bbq sauce in the summer for next to nothing, so these are super-cheap to make!

      Reply
    • Heidi from RI says

      June 19, 2014 at 4:57 pm

      Me too!!

      Reply
  28. Stephanie Kirk says

    February 2, 2010 at 6:01 pm

    Hummm….sounds so good! Cook for my party please!

    Reply

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Hey there... it's so nice to meet you! I'm Heidi: a Frugal Girl living in sunny Arizona! I love sharing Easy Recipes, DIY Decor, Style & Beauty Hacks, Gardening Tips, Travel Hacks, and Creative Ways to Live the Sweet Life on a Budget. I'm so glad you're here!
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