Cranberry BBQ Crockpot Meatballs Recipe
These Cranberry BBQ Crockpot Meatballs combine sweet, tangy cranberry sauce with smoky barbecue and mild chili sauce to create a flavorful, easy-to-make appetizer or meal. Perfect for parties or a simple weeknight dinner, this slow cooker recipe requires minimal prep and delivers tender, saucy meatballs infused with a delicious blend of flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (high) or 6 hours (low)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (high) or 6 hours 10 minutes (low)
- Yield: Approximately 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 2 (20 oz) bags frozen meatballs
Sauce
- 1 (12 oz) bottle chili sauce
- 1 (14 oz) can whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1–2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients, including the frozen meatballs, chili sauce, cranberry sauce, whole grain mustard, and barbecue sauce to ensure you have everything ready to combine.
- Combine in Slow Cooker: Place the frozen meatballs into the slow cooker. Pour the chili sauce, whole berry cranberry sauce, whole grain mustard, and barbecue sauce over the meatballs evenly.
- Cook the Meatballs: Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours. The slow cooking process will heat the frozen meatballs through while allowing them to absorb the rich, tangy sauces.
- Stir Occasionally: During cooking, stir the meatballs a couple of times to ensure they are all well coated with the sauce evenly, enhancing flavor distribution.
- Serve Warm: Once cooked, serve the cranberry BBQ meatballs warm as an appetizer, party snack, or main dish paired with your favorite sides.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of whole grain mustard or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- These meatballs can be kept warm in the slow cooker on the low setting for up to 2 hours before serving.
- If you prefer, homemade meatballs can be used instead of frozen meatballs, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- This recipe works well for parties and gatherings due to the ease of slow cooker preparation.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Keywords: cranberry BBQ meatballs, crockpot meatballs, slow cooker appetizers, easy party recipes, holiday meatballs
