Crockpot Cranberry Barbecue Meatballs

These Crockpot Cranberry Barbecue Meatballs are a delicious and easy appetizer idea.

Made with cranberry sauce, orange juice, and honey, these easy to make meatballs have the perfect combination of sweet and tangy flavors .

What are Cranberry Barbecue Meatballs?

Cranberry Barbecue Meatballs are basically meatballs that have been cooked in a sauce that features cranberry sauce and barbecue sauce.

I like that this is basically a 'dump and slow cook' recipe making it beyond easy to make a great appetizer!

Have you tried my recipe for Crockpot Little Smokies Cocktail Sausages?

That recipe for Crockpot Little Smokies Cocktail Sausages is a simple and delicious party appetizer made with just three ingredients in a slow cooker. Both this recipe for cranberry barbecue meatballs and that recipe for sausages are easy appetizer recipes that can be made in a slow cooker.

Make clean-up even easier by using liners in your Crock Pot. You can find a selection of slow cooker liners here.

Why we love slow cooker cranberry barbecue meatballs.

This is really an easy and foolproof recipe idea. All you need to do is place the ingredients into your slow cooker and let the slow cooker do all of the work

Here is what else we like about this recipe.

• Slow cooker meatballs are perfect for sharing at for parties, tailgates, or potluck gatherings.
• Using cranberry sauce makes this recipe a perfect festive choice for the holiday season.
• These meatballs can be served as an appetizer, meal, or used in another recipe such as a sandwich.
• Personalizing this recipe is as easy as adding a bit of hot sauce or some sliced peppers to the slow cooker.
• Slow cooking means that you can make this recipe about anywhere that you can plug in a slow cooker.
• Meatballs are almost always a hit when served to a crowd.

Ingredients needed to make Cranberry Barbecue Meatballs.

• Meatballs. Use already cooked and packaged (frozen) meatballs.
• Chili Sauce. You can use the chili sauce of your choice.
• Barbecue Sauce. The barbecue sauce of your choice.
• Jellied Cranberry Sauce Using canned cranberry sauce makes this recipe even easier to make!
• Orange Juice. Freshly squeezed is preferred but, premade will also work.
• Orange Zest. Complements the cranberry to make this a festive idea.
• Honey. A sweet balance to the orange juice and cranberry.
• Parsley. For garnish.

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Tips for making the best cranberry and barbecue sauce meatballs.

Use frozen already cooked meatballs in this recipe for better results. Because these meatballs are already cooked they will hold together better.

More helpful tips for you.

1. These meatballs can be prepared in advance. Simply prepare them up to a day in advance and refrigerate them.
2. This recipe is not just for beef meatballs. As long as they are pre-cooked, you can use chicken or turkey meatballs. (Note that cooking times can vary with this method.)
3. Adding a cup or two of jam can really add a nice dimension to this recipe. Bacon jam for example, can turn this idea into something spectacular
4. Keep an eye on your meatballs while they slow cook and stir them occasionally. If the sauce seems to get too thick you can can add additional sauce or if it is too thin you can take the cover off the slow cooker for a short time.
5. My meatballs were slow cooked in a large crockpot. Depending on the size of your slow cooker, you may need to cut the ingredient amounts in half, make this in batches, or use an additional slow cooker to make this recipe.
6. You can set your slow cooker on warm when serving these meatballs to keep them warm. I would stir them occasionally.

How to make Crockpot Cranberry Barbecue Meatballs

Prep Time:5 minutes .
Slow Cook Time: 2-3 hours on high or 4-5 hours on low.
Servings: 12 .

1. Combine. Place the ingredients ( meatballs, chili sauce, BBQ sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, and honey) into your slow cooker. Use two large spoons or similar items to toss the ingredients so that they are well incorporated and the meatballs are fully coated.
2. Slow Cook. Cover your slow cooker and cook on low for four to five hours or until the meatballs are heated through.
3. Serve. When your meatballs are done slow cooking you can stir the ingredients and allow them to set until you are ready to serve them.

Expert Tip 👉If your sauce is thin while it is cooking you can try removing the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate. Also, Have plenty of cocktail toothpicks or cocktail forks on hand to make it easy to enjoy these meatballs!

How to store crockpot meatballs.

Once your meatballs have fully cooled, you can store your leftovers in an airtight container (some plastic may not work well with the sauce) or in the covered slow cooker. When properly stored, these meatballs should keep refrigerated for about four days or frozen for up to three months.
If you have frozen your meatballs, it is best to thaw them in your refrigerator overnight before reheating.

You may also be interested in these slow cooker ideas.

• Crockpot Potatoes Au Gratin
• Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs
• Crockpot Chicken and Potato Dinner
• Crockpot Funeral Potatoes Recipe
• Crockpot Coca Cola Meatballs (3 ingredients)
• Crockpot Barbecue Chicken Recipe
• Crockpot Bourbon Chicken (Slow Cooker) Recipe

Print the recipe for Crockpot Cranberry Barbecue Meatballs

Crockpot Cranberry Barbecue Meatballs, a simple appetizer or party recipe made with cranberry sauce and slow cooked to perfection.

Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.