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Cranberry BBQ Meatballs Recipe

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4 from 15 reviews

These Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are a festive and addictive holiday appetizer featuring tender meatballs smothered in a sweet and tangy cranberry BBQ glaze. Cooked slowly in a crockpot, they offer a perfect balance of savory and fruity flavors that make them disappear quickly at any holiday gathering.

  • Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 meatballs

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 2 lbs frozen meatballs (store-bought works great)

Sauce

  • 1 can whole cranberry sauce
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (any brand you love)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and blended. Add garlic powder and red pepper flakes if using, for extra depth and heat. This creates the sweet-tangy glaze that defines the dish.
  2. Arrange meatballs in crockpot: Place the frozen meatballs in a single layer in the crockpot if possible. Pour the cranberry BBQ sauce mixture over the meatballs, then gently stir to coat every meatball evenly with the sauce. There is no need to thaw the meatballs beforehand; they will cook thoroughly from frozen.
  3. Cook low and slow: Set the slow cooker to LOW and cook the meatballs for 3 to 4 hours. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and to keep the meatballs coated. The meatballs will become heated through, and the sauce will thicken into a glossy glaze. If pressed for time, cook on HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours instead.
  4. Keep warm and serve: After cooking, switch the slow cooker to the WARM setting to keep the meatballs at a perfect serving temperature for 2 to 3 hours. Stir occasionally to maintain sauce coverage. Serve the meatballs on a festive dish with toothpicks for easy party presentation, and garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.

Notes

  • No need to thaw frozen meatballs before cooking in the crockpot.
  • Garlic powder and red pepper flakes are optional but add extra flavor and a gentle heat.
  • Use your favorite BBQ sauce to customize the taste.
  • Best served warm and fresh but can be kept on warm setting for a few hours during parties.
  • These meatballs can be doubled easily for larger gatherings.
  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://avascooking.com/cranberry-bbq-meatballs-recipe/