Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Meatballs are the ultimate party appetizer for the holidays. These delicious slow cooker meatballs are covered in a sweet spicy Cranberry BBQ sauce that’ll make you swoon!
If you love easy crockpot meatball recipes, you should also try my Asian Crockpot Meatballs and this recipe for The Ultimate Easy Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Meatballs.
Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
A couple of weeks ago my mom threw a baby shower for me. It was perfect. Small. Quaint. Not over the top. Amazingly tasty food that I got to enjoy with the friends and family I loved.
It was a great time celebrating the gift God has given us with this new baby girl. While I was there, I was distracted by the chit chatting and opening presents… Cason came and helped me open everything which I know he loved.
PS it was the cutest thing EVER because he would open something and immediately go “awww… mommy look. It’s so cute.” I was dying the entire time. He’s gonna be a great big brother!
When we got home I was in full on nest mode. I wanted to unpack everything, rip the tags off, start washing clothes and organizing. To answer your question, yes I am a Type A.
Mike was downstairs with Cason playing games and I was upstairs in Madison’s room. In my element. Although, about 20 minutes through my unpacking I stopped and looked at the mess of pink, purple, mint, floral and bows I had on the floor and it hit me. I just started crying. And literally could not stop for about an hour. Each present I unpacked made me cry more.
We are having a baby girl. We are no longer going to be a family of three. We’ll be a family of four and God has given us the girl He has given us dreams and visions about. I was absolutely blown away. I think the realness of seeing all the clothes on the floor just hit me, this is really happening.
This time last year we were going to the hospital to get an egg transfer done, which was the last stage of our IVF process. Fully thinking that that was the plan God had for us. But the test results didn’t come out the way we thought and none of the eggs survived for us to freeze for later. Still I felt like God was saying… “Krista, I know the plans I have for you. I know your heart and your desires.” Every time I think about it, even as I write this I start to cry because of God’s goodness and faithfulness to us even in the midst of such heartache. And now a year later, I’m unpacking baby girl clothes and getting the nursery ready!
These Slow Cooker Meatballs Are Perfect For An Easy Party Appetizer
Whew…
Ok. Whipping the tears away and going to try to move on to today’s recipe –> these Crock Pot Cranberry BBQ Meatballs.
Party meatballs are a staple around the holidays. At least they were in our house growing up. They usually have minimal ingredients and the fact that you can just throw everything into a crock pot and press start makes this recipe a definite winner. Last year I posted a recipe for Crock Pot Asian Meatballs that are made with a hoisin sauce… um.. incredible! This year I’m kinda in a cranberry mood… or at least you’ll see that “mood” in the coming weeks with all the cranberry recipes.
They give a nice tartness to any dish and add a gorgeous pop of color!
How Do You Make Cranberry BBQ Meatballs In The Crock Pot?
This recipe is made with 8 ingredients and all you do is put it in the crock pot, wait for your house to smell like meatball heaven and voila you’re finished! The sauce has a base of BBQ sauce (I choose to use Stubb’s BBQ sauce, it’s my favorite and has the least amount of sugar than any other sauce I’ve found) and cranberry jelly with the whole cranberries. I added a few spices to really emphasize the flavor and some fresh orange juice for good measure.
Even Kids Love This Easy Meatball Recipe
The sauce is incredible! As I was photographing this recipe, Cason was sneaking over to steal meatballs. He kept telling me, “Mommy we need to make these again. These are really good meatballs mommy. You should try them.” So it passed the 5 year old test, which is saying a lot!
I guarantee your guests will love the twist you put on these meatballs, plus they are gorgeous to look at! I hope they grace your table this holiday season! Bon Appetit friends!
Crock Pot Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 mins
- Yield: 25-30 meatballs 1x
- Category: Crock Pot
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crock Pot Cranberry BBQ Meatballs – the ultimate appetizer for the holidays. These party meatballs are covered in a sweet spicy Cranberry BBQ sauce that’ll make you swoon!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. frozen homestyle meatballs
- 18 oz. bottle Stubbs original BBQ sauce
- 14 oz. can whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground clove
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- garnish: fresh parsley and orange zest (optional)
Instructions
- Add frozen meatballs to the crockpot.
- In a small bowl, add BBQ sauce, cranberry sauce, maple syrup, cinnamon, clove, allspice and orange juice. Using a whisk, stir everything together.
- Pour sauce over the meatballs. Using a wooden spoon, gently toss the meatballs to cover them in the sauce.
- Cook on LOW for 2 hours.
- {optional} Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and orange zest.
- Serve!
Filed Under:
IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, BE SURE TO SNAP A PIC AND HASHTAG IT #JOYFULHEALTHYEATS. I LOVE SEEING WHAT YOU MAKE!
Need More Holiday Appetizer Recipe Inspiration?
Smoked Gouda Apple Crostini with Honey Drizzle
How to Make the Ultimate Cheese Board
Herb Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites
Assorted Holiday Goat Cheese Balls
18 comments on “Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Meatballs”
Very good and easy! I generally don’t care for processed meatballs but in this sauce they were good.
Yeah I’m so glad. Usually I try to make them from scratch but this recipe is straight for the easy of things around the holidays. 🙂
Two hours on low was not long enough. They really needed about 3 hours. I have a fairly new crockpot so maybe my low is too low. I used the higher of the two lower settings but they still just weren’t done enough.
I am glad they turned out great with a little extra time. Yes, all appliances cook a little differently.
Hi Krista, I have been following you for years and I have to tell you that All of your recipes work, are easy to follow and are just about perfect. I want to thank you for all of the hard work you do to put out the greatest recipe Blog right up there with the best
Susie!! Just wow! Thank you so much! I am beyond grateful for you, and thank you for continuing to come back and try new recipes! Being able to have this blog that resonates with others is a dream come true!
Are you sure you cook it for 2 hours on LOW? My very hungry family came home to still cold meatballs, had to move to pot on stove to get it hot. Once, hot it was good, though. Next time I would do 2 hours on HIGH.
Yup, 2 hours on low. On high I find it breaks down the meatballs and they fall apart. Maybe you’re meatballs were larger than mine, not sure.
These look completely party ready!!
wow…!this look awesome and sooo yummy, i love cranberry and your meataballs looks sooo delicious. i will trying to making this recipe. thanks for sharing….!
woohoo.. you’ll love it. let me know what you think!
Love this idea! Saving this!
I love all things cranberry! This looks delicious!
These look incredible, and I love the flavors!
This is such perfect party food!
These are such a great appetizer! I love the cranberry twist of flavor, especially during the holidays!
I am loving these flavors! I have got to try these out!
LOVE this idea!! The cranberries and orange sound perfect with meatballs!