If you’re craving a crowd-pleaser that’s both sweet and tangy, you’re going to want to stick around for this one. I’m so excited to share my Cranberry BBQ Meatballs Recipe that’s become a staple anytime I’m hosting or just want a delicious, effortless snack. Imagine tender meatballs swimming in a luscious sauce that blends chili sauce, cranberry, and barbecue flavors—all slow-cooked to perfection. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll see why it’s a total game-changer!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy and Effortless: Toss everything in the slow cooker and forget about it for hours—perfect for busy days or parties.
Sweet & Tangy Flavor Combo: The mix of cranberry, chili sauce, and barbecue sauce creates a flavor that keeps people coming back for more.

Feeds a Crowd: Makes about 20 servings, so it’s a fantastic option for gatherings or potlucks.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Easy to prep in advance and reheat without losing taste or texture.

This image shows many small, round meatballs covered in a thick reddish-brown sauce. The meatballs have a slightly shiny and moist texture, with some small bits of seasoning visible on their surface. They sit closely together in a pot with sauce splattered along the inside edges. A silver spoon lifts two meatballs above the others, and the sauce clings to both the meatballs and the spoon. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cranberry BBQ Meatballs, easy meatball appetizer, slow cooker meatball recipe, sweet and tangy meatballs, holiday party snacks

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work beautifully together to create a saucy, flavorful coating for the meatballs. I always recommend going for frozen meatballs you really like—trust me, it makes a world of difference in texture and taste!

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of bright red chili sauce, a small white ceramic bowl of glossy whole berry cranberry sauce with visible cranberries, a small white ceramic bowl of dark reddish-brown barbecue sauce, a few sprigs of fresh mustard seeds on stalks, and two whole brown eggs with clean shells placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Cranberry BBQ Meatballs, easy meatball appetizer, slow cooker meatball recipe, sweet and tangy meatballs, holiday party snacks

Frozen meatballs: Grab good quality ones, either beef or a mix; they hold up well in slow cooking.
Chili sauce: Look carefully for chili sauce, not cocktail sauce—those two can be easily confused at the store, and it changes the whole flavor.
Whole berry cranberry sauce: Adds that lovely, slightly tart sweetness that balances the savoriness.

Whole grain mustard: A little tang and texture boost that livens up the sauce.
Barbecue sauce: Gives the recipe that classic smoky BBQ background flavor I absolutely love.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this recipe my own depending on what I have in the pantry or who’s coming over. Feel free to tweak and swap ingredients to suit your taste—you really can’t go wrong here!

Use turkey or chicken meatballs: For a lighter twist, these still soak up the sauce beautifully and keep things juicy.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for an extra kick—my family goes crazy for it!
Make it gluten-free: Just double-check your meatballs and sauces for gluten-free labels, and you’re all set.

Add fresh herbs: A sprinkle of chopped parsley or green onions right before serving brightens the whole dish.

How to Make Cranberry BBQ Meatballs Recipe

Step 1: Combine the magic ingredients

Start by opening your bags of frozen meatballs—no thawing needed, which saves you time! Into your slow cooker goes the meatballs, chili sauce, whole berry cranberry sauce, whole grain mustard, and barbecue sauce. I like to give everything a good stir at this stage so the sauces begin to blend evenly around the meatballs.

Step 2: Slow cook to flavor perfection

Set your slow cooker to high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours, depending on how much time you have. A little trick I learned? Stir the meatballs gently once or twice during cooking. This keeps them well coated and prevents any sticking to the bottom. You’ll start to smell that beautiful sweet and smoky aroma filling your kitchen—that’s when you know it’s almost ready!

Step 3: Serve and savor

Once cooked, give the meatballs one last stir to make sure every bite is packed with that fantastic cranberry BBQ sauce. From here, it’s all about your favorite way to serve and enjoy—more on that next!

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Pro Tips for Making Cranberry BBQ Meatballs Recipe

Choose Quality Meatballs: I used to grab the cheapest frozen balls, but upgrading to better quality changed the texture and flavor completely.
Avoid Mixing Up Sauces: Double-check the chili sauce label—I learned the hard way that cocktail sauce makes it too tangy and salty.

Keep the Sauce Balanced: Adjust the amount of mustard depending on how tangy you like your sauce—it really wakes up the flavors.
Don’t Skip the Stirring: Stirring during cooking keeps meatballs evenly sauced and prevents scorching on the bottom.

How to Serve Cranberry BBQ Meatballs Recipe

A close-up image shows a woman's hand with purple polished nails holding a small brown meatball on a toothpick above many other similar meatballs covered in a shiny dark reddish-brown sauce, all placed on a white marbled surface. The meatballs have a textured, slightly rough surface and appear moist from the sauce. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cranberry BBQ Meatballs, easy meatball appetizer, slow cooker meatball recipe, sweet and tangy meatballs, holiday party snacks

Garnishes

Whenever I serve these meatballs, I sprinkle a few green onions or fresh parsley on top—not just for color, but that fresh flavor punch that cuts through the rich sauce perfectly. You can also add a little cracked black pepper or a dash of smoked paprika for a smoky depth.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides are classic buttery mashed potatoes or creamy polenta, which soak up every bit of that delicious sauce. A crisp green salad or roasted veggies lighten the plate and add freshness—plus, they’re easy to prep alongside the meatballs during cooking time.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to arrange the cranberry BBQ meatballs in a festive slow cooker on the buffet table, surrounded by mini bowls of toothpicks and dips like ranch or extra barbecue sauce. It’s always a hit! You can also serve them skewered on cocktail picks layered with fresh herbs or pineapple chunks for a tropical twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually let the meatballs cool down before transferring them to an airtight container. Stored in the fridge, they last up to 4 days and somehow taste even better the next day as the flavors meld. It’s perfect for quick snacks or lunches.

Freezing

This recipe freezes wonderfully! I portion out the meatballs with sauce into freezer-safe containers or bags. When I’m ready to enjoy them again, I thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently. It’s a lifesaver for busy weeks or last-minute guests.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the meatballs in a saucepan on low heat, stirring occasionally, so the sauce doesn’t stick or burn. You can also microwave them covered for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Either way, they come out juicy and just as tasty.

FAQs

Can I use homemade meatballs for the Cranberry BBQ Meatballs Recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade meatballs work beautifully in this recipe. Just make sure they’re cooked through or partially cooked before adding them to the slow cooker to ensure even cooking with the sauce.
Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?

While the original uses meatballs, you can substitute with plant-based meatballs or even roasted cauliflower bites for a vegetarian twist that still holds the flavor well.

What’s the best way to thicken the sauce if it seems too runny?

If the sauce looks thin after slow cooking, stir in a little cornstarch mixed with cold water and cook on high for another 15-20 minutes until it thickens to your liking.
Can I make this recipe on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?

You sure can! Simmer everything in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about 25-30 minutes until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce thickens.
How do I avoid meatballs sticking to the slow cooker?

Stir the meatballs gently a couple of times during cooking and make sure there’s enough sauce covering the bottom of the slow cooker to prevent sticking. Using a slow cooker liner can also help with cleanup.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry BBQ Meatballs Recipe has become my secret weapon whenever I want to impress without the stress. I love that it uses simple ingredients, requires minimal hands-on time, and yet delivers unforgettable taste every single time. If you’re looking for something that brings people together with flavors they can’t stop talking about, you have to try this. Trust me, it’ll quickly become one of your go-to recipes too!

Cranberry BBQ Meatballs Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 528 reviews

Author: Hannah
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 20 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

These Cranberry BBQ Crockpot Meatballs are a flavorful and easy-to-make appetizer or party snack, combining the tangy sweetness of cranberry and chili sauces with savory meatballs. Perfect for gatherings, this slow-cooked dish infuses the meatballs with a zesty, rich glaze that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

2 (20 oz) bags frozen meatballs

Sauce

1 (12 oz) bottle chili sauce
1 (14 oz) can whole berry cranberry sauce
1–2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
¼ cup barbecue sauce

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Instructions

Combine Ingredients: Place the frozen meatballs, chili sauce, whole berry cranberry sauce, whole grain mustard, and barbecue sauce into the slow cooker. Ensure all components are mixed together thoroughly to create an even sauce base.

Cook: Set the slow cooker on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours. This allows the meatballs to heat through and absorb the flavors of the sauce, resulting in tender, juicy meatballs glazed with a tangy, sweet sauce.
Stir Occasionally: During the cooking process, stir the mixture a couple of times to make sure all the meatballs are well coated with the sauce for consistent flavor in every bite.
Serve: Once cooked thoroughly and sauce has thickened slightly, serve the meatballs warm as an appetizer or main dish accompaniment. Enjoy!

Notes

When shopping, be sure to choose chili sauce rather than cocktail sauce as their bottles may look very similar, which can cause confusion.
The calorie count provided is based on a serving size of 2 meatballs.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 meatballs
Calories: 180
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 35mg