• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Retro Recipe Box

  • Home
  • About
    • Disclosures / Disclaimers
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beef Recipes
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Casseroles
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Cookies
    • Dessert
    • Dinner
    • Fish & Seafood
    • Holidays
    • Instant Pot
    • Pork Recipes
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Soup
    • Vegetarian
  • Privacy Policy
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
Home » Appetizers » Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer

Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer

Nov 7, 2021 · 1 Comment

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer is a classic slow cooker meatball party food. There are many different versions, and this version of the yummy crockpot cranberry meatballs is a super popular Holiday appetizer.

Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer on a plate on wood surface

Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer

This meatballs recipe is one of the most popular Holiday appetizers out there. Not only does it taste good, but it is very easy to make.

Serve these as party appetizers, or as a meal with a side of rice or a salad.

What Do These Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs Taste Like?

The Meatballs have a tangy-sweet flavor that has just a little hint of spice. They are mild enough for the kids, and taste special enough to serve at your party.

a meatball on a toothpick
Your guests can use a toothpick to take a meatball from the slow cooker. Toothpicks make great little handles.

Just set a cup of toothpicks next to the slow cooker so your guests have easy access to them (also a cup for the used ones).

It's So Easy To Make These Meatballs

mixing the sauce, pouring sauce over meatballs
Mix together the sauce in a bowl. Then pour over the meatballs in the slow cooker (Here I'm using turkey meatballs). Then just cook them.

One great thing about this sauce is that you can taste it before adding it to the slow cooker. This helps you get the seasoning just right.

Recipe Variations

• Use any kind of meatball that you like (small size).
• Use grape jelly in place of the cranberry sauce.
• Try full BBQ sauce in place of the chili sauce.
• Make it spicy by adding some Sriracha.

You Might Also Like

Easy Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
Cranberry Brie Bites Appetizer
Maple Candied Sweet Potatoes
Nutty Bacon Cheese Ball

cranberry meatballs in black crock

If you make these yummy cranberry crockpot meatballs recipe, please let me know. Just leave a comment below with a star rating.

I'd like to know how you and your guests liked them!

red rectangle saying follow me on pinterest

Cranberry Meatballs Appetizers on a plate

Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer

Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer is a classic slow cooker meatball party food. A yummy party appetizer.
5 from 1 vote
Print Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: holiday appetizer, meatballs, slow cooker recipes
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours hours
Total Time: 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 15
Calories: 260kcal
Author: Sandy

Equipment

  • 4-quart or 6-quart Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Meatballs cocktail size (pre-made frozen or cooked homemade)
  • 1 14-ounce can Jellied Cranberry Sauce
  • 1 12-ounce jar Chili Sauce
  • ¼ cup Barbecue Sauce (smoky flavor is good)
  • ¼ cup Brown Sugar

Instructions

  • If your meatballs are frozen, let them thaw out first. If you add them frozen, just know that there will be some extra water in the sauce, so it won't be as thick. Also you will need to cook a little longer.
  • Add the meatballs to the crock pot.
  • In a bowl, add the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, barbecue sauce, and brown sugar. Mix well.
  • Pour the sauce over te meatballs, then stir them to coat all of the meatballs.
  • Cook on Low for 4 hours or High for 2 hours, or until the meatballs are heated through.
  • Serve straight from the slow cooker (with the cooker on the Warm setting) with toothpicks available for the guests to use, or spoon the meatballs and sauce over rice.

Notes

Calorie count is based on a typical 2-pound bag of frozen beef meatballs. The calories will vary based on size of meatballs and ingredients in them.

Nutrition

Calories: 260kcal

More Appetizers

  • Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs closeup with spoon
    Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs
  • Ham, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Slider on a spatula.
    Easy Ham, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders Recipe
  • Fresh Mango Salsa in white bowl.
    Fresh Mango Salsa
  • chicken enchilada sliders on a tray
    Chicken Enchilada Sliders

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Chris says

    November 08, 2021 at 12:18 am

    5 stars
    Everyone loved these meatballs. This will be a regular at our parties.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Easy to make delicious recipes. From easy dinner recipes, Instant Pot recipes, casseroles, slow cooker recipes, desserts, bread recipes, and entrées, I'm posting delicious recipes for you to try!

Search This Website

Popular Recipes

Texas Hominy Casserole
2 pieces of Fried Chicken on a plate.
Summer Melon Salad
Texas Roadhouse Rolls in a basket

Copyright © 2025 Retro Recipe Box on the Seasoned Pro Theme

Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer on black plate
Cranberry Meatballs Appetizer in a crockpot