Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs

Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 4

Total Time: 4 5

Servings:

Calories: 310kcal

Author: Nikole Berg

This sweet and tangy cranberry meatball recipe is a great appetizer that uses up leftover or canned cranberry sauce. This easy recipe is made in the crockpot or slow cooker with frozen meatballs, bbq and chili sauce. Ready in about 3 hours.

Print Recipe Add to Collection

Equipment

Crockpot/Slow Cooker

Ingredients

32 oz pkg pre-cooked frozen cocktail meatballs, or homemade about 60 meatballs that are .5 oz each
1 to 2 cups leftover cranberry sauce or 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
12 oz jar chili sauce
1 cup bbq sauce
8 oz can crushed pineapple undrained or 1 cup fresh, chopped

Instructions

Spray the slow cooker insert with cooking spray. Toss frozen meatballs in.
Combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, bbq sauce, and pineapple together. Pour over meatballs.
Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
Garnish with sliced green onions or chopped parsley. Serve with toothpicks as an appetizer or over rice or pasta as a main dish.

Notes

This cranberry meatball recipe is versatile. No cranberry sauce? No problem. A small jar (12-20 ounces) of grape, strawberry, or (seedless) raspberry jam, will make a great substitute.
A spicy BBQ sauce will give this dish the most tang. However, you can use your favorite even if it’s more on the sweet side.
Crushed pineapple is optional, but I like the added sweetness it gives the dish. You can use ¼ cup brown sugar instead.
Add some water to the crockpot if the sauce is getting too thick. Start with about ⅛ of a cup and add more as necessary.

Nutrition