This Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Recipe makes a fabulous appetizer for your holiday parties, and a hands-down must-have for Game Day!
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!
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!”
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:
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.
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
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!
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So have you tried this perfect for kickoff Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Recipe yet?
Leave a comment & share!
Kathryn says
Do you thaw the meatballs before putting them in the crockpot?
Heidi says
Hi Kathryn ~ there is no need to thaw the meatballs… you’ll put them in the crockpot frozen. Enjoy! 🙂
Brooke frisk says
Can I use raw meatballs? I could cook them on high for 4 to 6hrs??
Heidi says
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!
Mandy says
Love this!!!!
Wyhette says
Can I heat on stove top?
kayla says
I am going to try these tonight for my sons and serve them over bow tie pasta. should be yummy. 🙂
Debby says
Can you slow cook on low 8 hours instead of
High for 3?
Babs says
how much heinz chili sauce and cranberry cans for 3lb of meatballs in crockpot?
Cookie Gonzalez says
I have always made these meatballs with Bar-B-Que sauce,
but your recipe sounds really good, and different.
Will try them very soon!
Angie says
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
Sara says
An old friend always uses grape jelly and salsa (whichever heat level you like). THEY ARE AMAZING!! Give it a try.
Sarah Cowan says
How many meatballs should I use? I purchased frozen ones.
Heidi says
Hi Sarah ~ I’d let them defrost a bit first, then add enough to cover the bottom of your crockpot. Hope that helps! 😉
sharon says
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.
Jen says
My mother made this for decades and now I make it. Just had some a few weeks ago. Mmmmmmm
Mary says
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.
Serra Brindley says
I have been using this reicpe for YEARS. Everyone always raves about them and can never believe the two indredients!
jennifer jones says
We make these every Christmas eve, gone within an hour! Love them!
Renee says
Can You buy meatballs already frozen at the store due to time? Really Appreciate your site.:) Thank You!
Heidi says
Hi Renee ~ absolutely… you can definitely substitute frozen meatballs from the store. 😉 Enjoy!!
~ Heidi
Patty Kay says
I have used chili sauce with apple jelly when
I catered……a real hit!!!!!!
Jan j says
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)
CincyGirl69 says
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.
Jeanne says
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!
Heidi says
Hi Jeanne ~ yes… you’ll want to cook them in the oven prior to adding them to the crockpot.
~ Heidi
Jeanne says
Thanks for responding so quick! I can’t wait to try them.
CincyGirl69 says
Jeanne, these are also really good to make ahead and put on sub rolls! Meatball sub without pizza sauce!
Yvonne says
I’m making this tonight! Can’t wait!
Sara says
I have an extra can of Cranberry sauce from last year’s Thanksgiving that I need to use up, this would be perfect, thanks!
Deb says
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.
CincyGirl69 says
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.
Laura says
I made these for a recent family gathering. They were a HUGE hit and gone in minutes!! Thank you for this yummy recipe!
Heidi says
You’re very welcome, Laura! I’m so glad you liked them! 😉
~ Heidi
Olivia says
Looks yummy! We’re looking forward to game day around here too!
Sherry says
Sounds delish!!
Melissa says
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!
angie says
I know these go fast I am going to try your recipe as I normally use grape jelly and barbq sauce
Diana Rose says
I make mine like Cindy, but I want to try your way or even mixing the grape jelly with the cranberry sauce.
Cindy F. says
We make a very similar recipe, but we use grape jelly instead of cranberry sauce. Thanks for sharing!
CincyGirl69 says
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!
Heidi from RI says
Me too!!
Stephanie Kirk says
Hummm….sounds so good! Cook for my party please!