Description
Cranberry meatballs deliver a perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors that dance across your palate. Holiday gatherings come alive with this simple, crowd-pleasing dish that connects comfort and zest in one delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 26 ounces (737 grams) frozen bite-sized meatballs
Sauces and Sweeteners:
- 14 ounces (397 grams) whole cranberry sauce
- 12 ounces (340 grams) Heinz chili sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons (22.5 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons dark brown sugar
Alternatives:
- 14 ounces (397 grams) grape jelly (as substitute for cranberry sauce)
Instructions
- Nestle frozen meatballs into the slow cooker, positioning them evenly across the base of the cooking vessel.
- Create a vibrant sauce by thoroughly blending cranberry sauce, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl until the ingredients form a smooth, glossy mixture.
- Cascade the prepared sauce over the meatballs, ensuring each piece receives a generous coating, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low temperature, allowing the meatballs to simmer and absorb the tangy, sweet sauce for approximately four hours.
- Periodically stir the meatballs during cooking to guarantee uniform sauce distribution and prevent any potential sticking or uneven heating.
- After cooking time concludes, transition the slow cooker to warm setting to maintain optimal serving temperature.
- Enhance the visual appeal and add a fresh flavor dimension by sprinkling finely chopped green onions across the top of the meatballs.
- Transfer the glazed meatballs to a serving dish, ensuring each guest receives a generous portion of the succulent, sauce-coated protein.
Notes
- Versatile party appetizer that impresses guests with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
- Slow cooker method ensures tender, juicy meatballs completely saturated in sweet-tangy sauce.
- Perfect make-ahead dish that can be prepared hours before serving, ideal for holiday gatherings or game day events.
- Freezer-friendly frozen meatballs dramatically reduce prep time without compromising taste quality.
- Sauce combination creates a balanced blend of sweet cranberry, spicy chili, and rich Worcestershire flavors.
- Keeps warm beautifully in slow cooker, making it convenient for buffet-style entertaining.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 40mg