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cranberry bbq meatballs on white serving platter with light gray checked dishtowel in background.
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Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Meatballs

Saucy, sweet and a little tangy, these cranberry BBQ meatballs will be the star appetizer at your next party or event!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours

Equipment

  • 1 Crockpot
  • Measuring Cups & Spoons
  • 1 Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Spoon or Spatula
  • Toothpicks for Serving
  • Serving Platter (Optional) If you really really want to do more dishes...

Ingredients

  • 1 Package Frozen Appetizer-Size Meatballs (About 45 Meatballs)
  • 1 Cup Favorite BBQ Sauce
  • 3/4 Cups Jellied Cranberry Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 Tsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • Fresh Parsley, Minced (Optional for Garnish)

Instructions

  • Add the meatballs to the crockpot. You don’t even need to thaw them. Just open the bag and pour them right in.
  • Mix the sauce. In a small bowl (or directly in the crockpot) stir together the BBQ sauce, cranberry sauce, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce until everything is well combined.
  • Pour the sauce over the meatballs. Use a spatula or spoon to gently stir and coat the meatballs with that delicious cranberry BBQ mixture.
  • Cover and cook on high for 3 hours. You’ll know they’re ready when the sauce is bubbly and the meatballs are hot all the way through.
  • Stir once more before serving. If you want to make it look fancy, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley over the top for color.

Notes

  • If you're prepping ahead for a party or dinner, you can mix the sauce ingredients in a jar or airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • You can also assemble everything in the Crockpot insert and keep it in the fridge (covered) overnight, just pop it into the base in the morning and let it cook.
  • The “keep warm” setting is your best friend here. Once cooked, these meatballs will stay warm and ready to serve for hours, just give them a little stir now and then so the sauce stays evenly distributed.
 
A few variations...
  • Spicy twist: Add a few dashes of hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a bit of heat.
  • Homemade meatballs: You can use homemade meatballs if you’ve got some on hand, just make sure they’re fully cooked before adding to the Crockpot.
  • No cranberry? If you’re out of jellied cranberry sauce, you can sub in a cranberry jelly or even whole cranberry sauce. It’ll change the texture a little, but still taste great.
  • Add some tang: A spoonful of Dijon mustard adds another layer of flavor if you want to experiment.