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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Preparation: Evenly distribute frozen meatballs across the base of the slow cooker, creating a uniform layer for consistent cooking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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