Flavor-Packed Cranberry Meatballs Recipe Everyone Will Love

Savor the perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors with these irresistible easy cranberry meatballs that promise to delight your taste buds.

Tender, juicy meatballs coated in a luscious cranberry sauce bring a burst of festive charm to any dinner table.

The combination of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and aromatic spices creates a mouthwatering base for the vibrant cranberry glaze.

Each bite delivers a harmonious balance of savory and fruity notes that will have everyone asking for seconds.

These meatballs are surprisingly simple to whip up, making them an ideal option for busy weeknights or spontaneous gatherings.

Packed with flavor and ready in less than an hour, this dish transforms an ordinary meal into a memorable culinary experience that everyone will love.

What You Need for Easy Cranberry Meatballs

• Frozen Meatballs: Pre-cooked convenience that saves time and ensures consistent texture, choose high-quality brand with minimal additives for best flavor.

• Cranberry Sauce: Adds sweet-tart base that creates complex flavor profile, select whole berry version for more robust texture.
• Chili Sauce: Introduces gentle heat and depth, pick balanced commercial brand that isn't overwhelmingly spicy.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers umami and rich undertone, opt for traditional aged version for deeper flavor complexity.
• Brown Sugar: Provides caramelized sweetness and helps thicken sauce, select dark variety for more intense molasses notes.

• Green Onions: Offers fresh brightness and visual appeal, choose crisp green tops with firm white bottoms for maximum flavor and presentation.

Kitchen Tools for Easy Cranberry Meatballs

• Slow Cooker: Essential for effortlessly cooking and keeping meatballs warm.
• Medium Bowl: Perfect for mixing the delicious sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending cranberry sauce and other liquids into a silky sauce.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for occasional stirring during the slow cooking process.
• Cutting Board and Knife: Helpful for chopping green onions as a fresh garnish.

How to Make Easy Cranberry Meatballs

• Slow Cooker Setup

Place frozen meatballs gently into the slow cooker, creating a single layer that allows even heating and sauce absorption.

• Sauce Fusion

Blend cranberry sauce with zesty chili sauce, adding a splash of Worcestershire and sweet brown sugar to create a mouthwatering glaze that will transform ordinary meatballs into a crowd-pleasing delicacy.

• Culinary Magic

Pour the vibrant sauce over the meatballs, ensuring each morsel gets completely coated. Cover and let the slow cooker work its magic for four hours on low heat, occasionally giving a gentle stir to distribute flavors evenly.

• Festive Presentation

Once cooking is complete, switch the slow cooker to warm mode. Sprinkle finely chopped green onions on top for a fresh, bright garnish that adds a delightful visual and flavor contrast. Serve immediately while the meatballs are steaming hot and glistening with sauce.

Ideas for Easy Cranberry Meatballs Twists

• Adjust the brown sugar level to match your taste preference, adding more for a sweeter profile or reducing for a tangier flavor.
• Experiment with different meatball types like turkey, chicken, or plant-based options to suit dietary needs and create unique flavor combinations.
• Add a splash of orange juice or a pinch of ground cloves to the sauce for a deeper, more sophisticated taste that complements the cranberry base.
• Prepare the meatballs and sauce a day in advance, allowing flavors to meld together and intensify overnight in the refrigerator before slow cooking.

Presenting Easy Cranberry Meatballs Beautifully

• Holiday Party Platter: Arrange these tangy cranberry meatballs on a festive wooden board surrounded by toothpicks, perfect for easy holiday gatherings where guests can grab and enjoy without utensils.
• Appetizer Accompaniment: Pair the meatballs with creamy dips like ranch or garlic aioli to complement the sweet and spicy sauce, creating a delightful flavor contrast that enhances the overall taste experience.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Serve these meatballs in a large ceramic bowl during sports events or movie nights, keeping them warm in the slow cooker so friends can snack throughout the game with minimal effort.
• Side Dish Versatility: Combine the meatballs with fluffy white rice or buttered egg noodles to transform this appetizer into a hearty main course that satisfies hungry family members with minimal additional preparation.

Keep Easy Cranberry Meatballs for Later

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare double the recipe and freeze extra meatballs in sauce-filled containers for quick future meals during busy weeks.
• Refrigerator Rescue: Store leftover meatballs in airtight containers for up to 4 days, keeping them moist and delicious for quick lunch or dinner options.
• Party Prep Strategy: Make meatballs a day ahead and reheat gently in slow cooker, allowing flavors to intensify and simplifying event day cooking.
• Portion Control Magic: Separate meatballs into individual serving sizes before refrigerating, making grab-and-go meals effortless for work lunches or quick family dinners.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Calories: 182 kcal

Servings: 13

Tangy Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Family gatherings welcome this easy cranberry meatballs recipe with delightful tangy-sweet flavor. Guests will savor tender meat complemented by zesty cranberry sauce, creating an irresistible holiday appetizer perfect for sharing.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 26 oz (737 g) frozen bite-sized meatballs
• 14 oz (397 g) whole cranberry sauce
• 12 oz (340 g) Heinz chili sauce
• 1.5 tbsps (22.5 mL) Worcestershire sauce
• 1.5 tbsps dark brown sugar
• 14 oz (397 g) grape jelly (as substitute for cranberry sauce)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Evenly distribute frozen meatballs across the base of the slow cooker, creating a uniform layer for consistent cooking.
2. Sauce Creation: Whisk cranberry sauce, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar in a bowl until the mixture transforms into a glossy, well-integrated blend that promises rich, complex flavors.
3. Coating and Infusion: Pour the vibrant sauce over the meatballs, meticulously ensuring each morsel is thoroughly enrobed, allowing the tangy-sweet essence to permeate the protein during the slow-cooking process.
4. Slow Cooking Technique: Secure the slow cooker lid and set to low temperature, permitting the meatballs to gently simmer and absorb the sauce’s nuanced flavors for approximately four hours, transforming them into a tender, succulent delicacy.
5. Monitoring and Final Touches: Occasionally stir the meatballs to promote even sauce distribution and prevent adherence to the cooking surface. Once cooking concludes, transition the slow cooker to warm setting, then garnish with finely chopped green onions for a burst of fresh, aromatic complexity.
6. Serving: Artfully transfer the glazed meatballs to a serving platter, presenting a dish that promises a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and savory notes.

Notes

• Optimize Sauce Consistency: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, glossy sauce that clings perfectly to meatballs.
• Prevent Burning: Stir occasionally during slow cooking to distribute sauce evenly and avoid scorching or uneven heating.
• Sauce Flexibility: Can substitute homemade or store-bought cranberry sauce based on availability and personal preference.
• Serving Tip: Keep meatballs on warm setting after cooking to maintain temperature and sauce’s glossy texture for party or gathering appetizers.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 182
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 560 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg