Description
These Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs are the perfect sweet and tangy appetizer for any gathering. Made with tender frozen meatballs simmered in a luscious glaze of jellied cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and orange juice, they offer a mouthwatering combination of flavors that’s easy to prepare and sure to please a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Glaze Ingredients
- 1 (14-oz) can jellied cranberry sauce
- 1 (16-18-oz) bottle BBQ sauce (Use your family’s favorite brand)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
Meatballs
- 1 (2-lb) bag frozen appetizer size meatballs
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Get ready: Grab a 4-quart slow cooker—avoid using a larger 7-quart one as the sauce will spread too thin and risk burning. Prepare all your ingredients to make the process smooth and efficient.
- Mix the glaze: In the slow cooker, combine the jellied cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and orange juice. Whisk these ingredients together until the mixture is fairly smooth; a few lumps of cranberry are fine since they’ll melt during cooking.
- Add the meat and slow cook: Gently stir in the thawed frozen meatballs to ensure each one is coated with the glaze. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours until the meatballs are heated through and flavors meld.
- The secret finish: For serving as appetizers on toothpicks, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking and switch the slow cooker to HIGH. This releases steam and thickens the sauce into a sticky glaze that clings beautifully to the meatballs. Watch carefully to prevent scorching. If serving over mashed potatoes, keep the lid on to retain more sauce for a gravy-like consistency.
- Serve: Give the meatballs one last gentle stir to ensure they are shiny and fully coated with the glaze. Serve directly from the slow cooker and garnish with chopped parsley if desired for a festive touch.
Notes
- Using a 4-quart slow cooker is important to prevent the sauce from spreading too thin and burning.
- Thaw frozen meatballs before adding to the slow cooker for even cooking and proper glazing.
- The last 30-minute glaze step is optional but enhances the texture and appearance when serving as appetizers.
- Chopped parsley adds a fresh pop of color but is completely optional.
- For a different flavor profile, try swapping orange juice with pineapple juice for a tropical twist.
