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4 Comments

Best Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Sep 24, 2023

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Sweet & savory with a little chili and jalapeno kick, these Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs are the perfect holiday party appetizer! Full of rich and tangy flavor, they take just minutes to prep and are guaranteed to disappear just as quickly!

easy holiday appetizer, crock pot cranberry meatballs is ideal for Christmas parties


I love a good cocktail meatball and no proper southern party or get together is quite complete without them! There are quite a few variations to make and serve that will make your party just right. But during the holidays, it’s these Cranberry Meatballs, simmered in a sauce made with whole berry cranberry sauce that steal the show!

RELATED RECIPE: Whiskey Peach BBQ Meatballs

You’re going to love how easy it is to make these tender, tasty party meatballs. They are so simple either in the crock pot or on the stove top (I’ve got instructions for both methods in the post below).

And do you know what else? They also make a really great meal with mashed potatoes or macaroni & cheese! I’m not kidding. I’ve got some awesome meal ideas below too, so make sure not to miss that!

This easy slow cooker recipe uses frozen meatballs, whole cranberry sauce, sweet chili sauce, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg to create a special holiday party finger food.

I’ll walk through an overview of ingredients & steps in this section along with helpful tips!

Look for specifics at the end of the post in the recipe card.

Ingredients Needed

  • bite-sized homestyle frozen meatballs
  • whole berry cranberry sauce
  • chili sauce
  • sweet Thai style chili sauce
  • brown sugar
  • fresh jalapeno
  • ground cinnamon & nutmeg
this easy recipe can be made in one step in the crock pot or on the stove top for easy holiday prep

How to Make Cranberry Meatballs (Crock Pot)

In the crock pot, whisk together all ingredients except meatballs to make sauce. Add the meatballs. Toss to cover with the sauce. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 3-4 hours.

How to Make Cranberry Meatballs (Stove Top)

In a large sauce pan over medium heat, whisk together all ingredients except meatballs to make sauce. Add the meatballs. Toss to cover with the sauce. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes.

These cocktail meatballs are most often served as a popular party appetizer, but they can also make a great meal atop mashed potatoes or next to macaroni and cheese.

What to Serve with Cranberry Meatballs

These cocktail meatballs are most often served as a popular party appetizer, but they can also make a great meal.

Party Suggestions

  • Ultimate Creamy Chicken Dip
  • Southern Cheese Straws
  • Bacon Parmesan Asparagus Twists
  • Favorite Southern Pimento Cheese Ball
  • Whipped Feta with Honey Dip

Meal Ideas

  • Horserasdish Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese
  • Ultimate Pepper Jack Mac & Cheese
  • Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole (no canned soup)
  • Baked Gouda Cheese Grits
  • Southern Cornbread Pudding
If You Love Good Party Food & Have Made This Recipe, Give It All The Stars & Leave A Fun Comment! Or Tag Me @SouthernDiscourse On Social Media To Be Featured. I Love Hearing From You!
This easy slow cooker recipe uses frozen meatballs, whole cranberry sauce, sweet chili sauce, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg to create a special holiday party finger food.

Best Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs

Sweet & savory with a little chili and jalapeno kick, these Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs are the perfect holiday party appetizer!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Christmas, Game Day, holiday, New Year’s Eve, party, tailgate, thanksgiving
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours hours
Servings: 56 meatballs
Author: Stacey | SouthernDiscourse.com

Equipment

  • 6 quart crock pot

Ingredients

  • 28 ounce bite-sized homestyle frozen meatballs (about 56-64 meatballs)
  • 1 ½ cans whole cranberry sauce (14 ounce cans)
  • 12 ounce jar chili sauce
  • 1 cup sweet Thai-style chili sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (packed) brown sugar
  • ½ large jalapeno, deseeded & deveined (diced)
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • pinch nutmeg
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Instructions

  • In the crock pot, whisk together all ingredients except meatballs to make sauce. Add the meatballs. Toss to cover with the sauce. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 3-4 hours.
This easy slow cooker recipe uses frozen meatballs, whole cranberry sauce, sweet chili sauce, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg to create a special holiday party finger food.
Did you make my Best Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs?Show me how it went! Share on Instagram, tag @southerndiscourse, and use the hashtag #SouthernDiscourse!
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Sweet & savory with a little chili and jalapeno kick, these Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs are the perfect holiday party appetizer!  Full of rich and tangy flavor, they take just minutes to prep and are guaranteed to disappear just as quickly!

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Filed Under: Appetizers, Holidays, Recipes Tagged With: Christmas, New Year's, party, Thanksgiving

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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    5 from 2 votes

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  1. Avatar photoAnny Rozelle

    February 12, 2023 at 4:33 pm

    5 stars
    These were amazing! My mom used to make them with cranberry, chili sauce, brown sugar and a red current jam. I loved the jalapeño with it and I added a half a cup of pineapple and some red pepper flakes (I didn’t have any sweet Thai sauce). Thank you! 😊😋

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      February 17, 2023 at 2:47 pm

      Hi, Anny! Thank you so much! I am so tickled that you loved these meatball recipe. I especially love that it reminds you of your mom’s recipe. That’s what’s it’s all about for me. You made my day! Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Avatar photoJeanie

    May 31, 2024 at 5:01 am

    5 stars
    Delicious! Will definitely make again and again!

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      June 2, 2024 at 8:26 am

      Hi, Jeanie! Thanks so much! I am so glad you loved this recipe!

      Reply

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Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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