Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Meatballs are coated in a sweet, tart, and flavorful sauce for the perfect balance of sweet and savory. These meatballs make the perfect holiday party appetizer or tasty for an easy weeknight meal!

Sweet and Tart Meatballs
I love it when an easy appetizer can also be a hearty main dish! These Cranberry BBQ Meatballs are the best blend of sweet and tart flavors. The meatballs are juicy and flavorful, coated in barbecue sauce, and covered with tart cranberries. So simple to make with just 3 easy ingredients. Perfect for the holidays, game day parties, or a weeknight dinner, these meatballs are sure to be a hit with everyone.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
A nice balance of sweet and tart flavors.
Only 3 simple ingredients are needed.
Serve as an appetizer or main dish.
Ingredients
- Meatballs– Frozen meatballs make this dish so easy. Choose any meat you prefer like beef, turkey, or chicken. No need to thaw them out either. Just throw them in the slow cooker.
- Barbeque Sauce– You can use any brand of BBQ sauce you prefer. I tend to use a sweeter BBQ sauce to help balance out the tartness from the cranberries.
- Cranberry Sauce– My homemade cranberry sauce or canned cranberry sauce will both taste delicious in this recipe. If using canned, I like the “whole berry” to have a little extra burst of tart berries in each bite.
*See the recipe card at the bottom of the page for detailed instructions and a list of ingredients.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Whisk: Add the cranberry sauce and BBQ sauce to a medium bowl and whisk together.
- Dump: Add all the meatballs to the bottom of a slow cooker. Then cover with the BBQ/cranberry sauce and stir it all together.
- Cook: Turn on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
- Serve: Enjoy!
What To Serve With Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
The best part about these meatballs is that they can be enjoyed in a variety of different ways! They taste great by themselves with just a toothpick as a tasty appetizer. Or they can be a main meal and served over rice or vegetables.
Storage Options
To store: Store cooled meatballs in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To freeze: Place them in an air-tight container to freeze for up to 2 months.
To reheat: Thaw meatballs in the refrigerator overnight. Then microwave or place in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until cooked through.
Helpful Tips
* No need to thaw the meatballs. They’ll warm up in the Crock Pot quickly.
* The thickness of the sauce will depend on the type of cranberry sauce and BBQ sauce.
* Add a little extra brown sugar if the cranberry sauce is a little too tart.
More Appetizer Recipes
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Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen meatballs
- 18-20 ounces barbeque sauce
- 2 cups homemade cranberry sauce (or 15 ounces canned)
Instructions
- Add frozen meatballs to the bottom of a slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, whisk BBQ sauce and cranberry sauce together and pour over meatballs.
- Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours. Enjoy!