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Easy Sweet & Tangy Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs

Crockpot cranberry meatballs - featured image
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These sweet and tangy cranberry meatballs are made with just a few simple ingredients and a slow cooker. They’re perfect for parties, potlucks, or an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds frozen meatballs (about 32–40 meatballs)
  • 1 can (14 ounces) jellied cranberry sauce
  • 1 bottle (12 ounces) chili sauce
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, packed brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and garlic powder. Whisk until the jellied cranberry sauce is mostly broken up and the mixture is smooth.
  2. Place the frozen meatballs directly into the Crockpot in an even layer.
  3. Pour the whisked sauce evenly over the frozen meatballs. Gently stir to coat the meatballs.
  4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. About halfway through, give them a gentle stir to redistribute the sauce.
  5. Check for doneness: the meatballs are ready when heated through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  6. Taste the sauce and add a pinch of salt and a few cracks of black pepper if needed. Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish, spoon extra sauce over the top, and serve warm with toothpicks.

Notes

For a thicker sauce, leave the lid slightly ajar for the last 30 minutes of cooking. To make ahead, cook the meatballs a day or two in advance and reheat in the Crockpot on LOW for about an hour before serving. For a spicier version, add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1 tablespoon sriracha.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry meatballs, crockpot meatballs, sweet and tangy meatballs, easy appetizer, party meatballs

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/easy-sweet-and-tangy-crockpot-cranberry-meatballs/