Cranberry Meatballs Recipe – only 3 ingredients!!! Can be made in the slow cooker or on the stovetop– great for holiday parties, game day, and family gatherings! These things FLY off the plate. SO good! Can also serve as a main dish over rice or noodles. I always have the ingredients on hand for a quick appetizer or dinner.

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Crockpot Meatballs Recipe

Do you need a super easy appetizer for your upcoming holiday and game day parties? Well, look no further! These Cranberry Meatballs are ridiculously easy to make and ridiculously delicious! The best part is that there are only three ingredients! Woohoo!

These meatballs are great as an appetizer, but you could also serve them as a main dish over some rice or noodles. We ate these for tailgating and had the leftovers for lunch the next day. They were delicious both times!!

How to Make Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs

These meatballs are SUPER easy to make with only three simple ingredients. Place frozen meatballs in a 6-qt slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk together thai chili dipping sauce and cranberry sauce. Pour sauce over the meatballs and stir. Season with salt and black pepper, if desired. Cook on LOW heat until the meatballs are heated through. Garnish with green onions.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

I use frozen 1/2-ounce meatballs. There is no need to thaw the meatballs before cooking. I actually like the flavor of Walmart’s Great Value frozen meatballs.
- Can substitute turkey meatballs or chicken meatballs for lower calories.
- Feel free to use your favorite homemade meatball recipe.
  - Here is our recipe for Homemade Meatballs made with ground beef, oatmeal, milk, onion, and Montreal steak seasoning: https://www.plainchicken.com/pioneer-womans-bbq-meatballs/
I used Thai Kitchen Red Chili Dipping Sauce in this recipe.
For the cranberry sauce, I used a can of Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce. The same stuff you buy at Thanksgiving.
- Can use regular cranberry sauce or whole cranberry sauce.
Variations/Additions:
- ginger
- garlic powder
- soy sauce
- orange juice
- brown sugar
Can I make meatballs on the stovetop? Yes. Combine chili sauce and cranberry sauce in a Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat until smooth. Add meatballs and stir. Continue cooking until the meatballs are warmed through, 20 to 30 minutes.
Can I bake Cranberry Meatballs? Yes. Place meatballs in a baking dish and pour the sauce over everything. Cover with foil and bake at 350ºF for 1-1.5 hours
Storage tips: store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave.

What to Serve with Cranberry Meatballs

Let’s chat about the perfect pairings to create a memorable meal. First off, consider serving them up as an irresistible appetizer with toothpicks at your holiday gathering – they’ll be the star of the show! Add some baked brie and a savory cheese ball to complete the party spread.

For a heartier meal, these meatballs would be fabulous served over a bed of fluffy white rice or creamy mashed potatoes, allowing you to savor every drop of that scrumptious cranberry sauce. If you’re looking to add a pop of color, you can’t go wrong with our favorite Honey Garlic Green Beans or Teriyaki Broccoli. And don’t forget about a signature festive drink like our Jolly Juice to enhance the holiday spirit. With these fantastic dishes, you’ll create a well-rounded and delightful dining experience that’ll have everyone raving about these meatballs.

Here are a few of our favorite party recipes from the blog that go great with these easy meatballs:

Appetizer