↑

The Magical Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Recipes

  • Recipe Box
  • Buy my Digital Cookbook
  • About me
  • Contact Me
  • Free Slow Cooker Newsletter
    • Visit us on Pinterest
    • Visit us on Instagram
    • Visit us on Youtube
    • Visit us on Facebook
    • Visit us on Twitter

The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Appetizers » Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs

Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs

by Sarah Olson on October 2, 2022 | Updated December 19, 2022 4 Comments

347 shares
  • 92
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
long image of cranberry meatballs for pinterest.
Collage of cranberry meatball images with text of what the ingredients are for facebook or pinterest.
collage of cranberry meatballs with text overlay for pinterest.

This dump-and-go slow cooker cranberry meatballs recipe is made of just five ingredients – frozen meatballs, whole cranberry sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, and lemon juice. These flavors infuse in the slow cooker for an appetizer cuisine that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Looking for another meatball-style appetizer for your next game or potluck? Try my Slow Cooker Pizza Meatballs!

cranberry meatballs on a spoon.

Why this cranberry meatballs recipe works

Anytime I can use the crock pot to make something that tastes like it was made from scratch, like these homemade meatballs, it’s a winner in my book. Not to mention, I can make crock pot cranberry meatballs while skipping other ingredients that are typically made from scratch. This is one of those easy recipes you’ll want to add to your recipe book because it’s the perfect, absolutely delicious appetizer!

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for cranberry meatballs on a table.
  • Frozen Meatballs: Store bought frozen meatballs do the trick in this recipe.
  • Whole Cranberry Sauce: We use canned whole cranberry sauce for this recipe, though if you have leftover homemade cranberry sauce, you can use that! You can even use jellied cranberry sauce for a smoother texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Add the sweetness to the cranberry meatballs.
  • Ketchup: Helps create a saucy base classic in many meatball recipes; the vinegar adds a tanginess to the recipe.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds a bit of acid and flavor to the meatballs.

Step-by-Step Directions

2 images about how to make cranberry meatballs in the crockpot.

Step One – Dump all ingredients into the slow cooker, ensuring the meatballs are on the bottom.

Step Two – Give everything a good stir and cook on LOW for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.

cranberry meatballs in a bowl.

Variations

  • Sweet and sour version: Make a sweet and sour version of cranberry meatballs by adding soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic powder, ground ginger, and a spicy sauce like hot sauce. This is another delicious flavor.
  • Meatball type: You can go for an Italian sausage-style meatball or go with ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken meatball.
  • Garnish ideas: Consider topping these cocktail meatballs with chopped green onions, freshly chopped parsley, and/or fresh cranberries.
  • Serving: Serve these cranberry sauce meatballs straight from the crock pot with toothpicks for a quick appetizer or served with cheese, crackers, olives, nuts, etc. You can also add them onto a hoagie-style bun for a meatball sub. You can even serve it over mashed potatoes or steamed white rice.
close up of cranberry meatballs.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use homemade meatballs?

Absolutely! The idea behind frozen meatballs is to make prep time and cook time much shorter and easier. Though, if you have a favorite homemade recipe, you can use that!

How long will the leftovers last?

If stored properly in an airtight container and refrigerator, these meatballs will keep for up to 4 days.

Can I make these on the stove or in the oven?

Sure; however, cooking them in the slow cooker allows you to dump everything and walk away. This also allows easy transport (and clean-up) for game days and potlucks.

Am I able to use Heinz chili sauce?

Yes. You can actually use this in place of the ketchup or add it along with it. Heinz chili sauce is not spicy at all! It’s what is used in grape jelly meatballs.

Why such a long cooking time for precooked frozen meatballs in the slow cooker?

The longer they cook, they start to darken a little from soaking up the sauce and don’t taste so much like store-bought meatballs! The meatballs only get better the longer they cook.

plate of appetizers with cranberry meatballs.

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Tik Tok, and YouTube.

close up of cranberry meatballs.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs

5 from 5 votes
A unique recipe for meatballs! Cranberry meatballs are great for any fall or winter holiday.
Print Pin Rate Share by Text
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 342kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker – 5 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 32 oz frozen meatballs (these are fully cooked, but frozen)
  • 28 oz. whole cranberry sauce (two 14-oz. cans)
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Pour the meatballs into the crockpot.
  • Add the cranberry sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and lemon juice – stir to combine.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Enjoy!
Prevent your screen from going dark

Recipe Notes:

  • We serve this as an appetizer with an assortment of cheeses (like brie, cheddar, etc), walnuts, pecans, olives, etc.
  • If stored properly in an airtight container and refrigerator, these meatballs will keep for up to 4 days.
  • You can use Heinz chili sauce in place of of the ketchup, in fact they have similar flavors and Heinz chili sauce is not spicy.
  • The long cooking time ensure the sauce soaks into the meatballs and they will have much more flavor than just cooking them until done.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 342kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 228mg | Potassium: 299mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 136IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

More Slow Cooker Meatball Recipes:

  • Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs
  • Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Meatballs
  • Slow Cooker Beer Meatballs
  • Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs

FREE EMAIL SERIESSLOW COOKER SECRETS

Get Sarah's tricks to delicious and hands-free cooking!
    347 shares
    • 92

    Filed Under: Appetizers

    Comments

    1. Traci says

      December 15, 2022 at 7:53 am

      If I’m making homemade meatballs, should I pre-cook the meatballs first?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 15, 2022 at 8:24 am

        I would at least brown them first, then let the slow cooker finish cooking them.

        Reply
    2. Mark D says

      October 3, 2022 at 9:56 pm

      For the sweet and sour version, how much of each additional ingredient should be added?

      Soy Sauce
      Hoisin Sauce
      Garlic Powder
      Ground Ginger
      Hot Sauce

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        October 4, 2022 at 9:26 pm

        Hard to say without testing it, I apologize!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Photo of Sarah Olson holding a slow cooker

    Hello! I'm Sarah

    Welcome to The Magical Slow Cooker. Let me help you find recipes for your slow cooker that you'll enjoy!
    • Visit us on Pinterest
    • Visit us on Instagram
    • Visit us on Youtube
    • Visit us on Facebook
    • Visit us on Twitter

    Slow Cooker St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

    done cooking rueben dip with crackers on the side.

    Slow Cooker Reuben Dip

    close up of guinness beef stew in slow cooker

    Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew

    tray of corned beef and cabbage in front of slow cooker

    Slow Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage

    Colcannon potatoes with green onions on top. With wooden spoon in them.

    Slow Cooker Colcannon Potatoes

    creamy corned beef and cabbage soup in slow cooker

    Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup

    cabbage and bacon in slow cooker with a wooden spoon

    Slow Cooker Cabbage

    Magical Cooker logo

    FREE EMAIL SERIESSLOW COOKER SECRETS

    Get Sarah's tricks to delicious and hands-free cooking!

      Most Popular Recipes

      peanut butter cake with spoon in it.

      Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cake {Crockpot}

      Close up of cajun chicken fettuccine in slow cooker.

      Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

      close up of baked spaghetti in slow cooker

      Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti {Million Dollar Spaghetti}

      close up of enchilada casserole

      Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole

      close up photo of chicken, potatoes and green beans in slow cooker

      Seasoned Chicken, Potatoes and Green beans

      cooked bang bang chicken in slow cooker

      Slow Cooker Bang Bang Chicken

      Featured on:

      Featured in BuzzFeed, The Kitchen, Popsugar, 12 Tomatoes, yummly, Today, and Country Living
      smaller magical slow cooker logo

      FREE EMAIL SERIESSLOW COOKER SECRETS

        Privacy Policy  Nutritional Disclosure

        The Magical Slow Cooker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
        Copyright ©2023, The Magical Slow Cooker. All Rights Reserved.
        Design by Pixel Me Designs