Cranberry meatballs are the perfect appetizer!
Everyone needs a fabulous Cranberry Meatball recipe – and this is it with TONS of rave reviews! These party meatballs are perfect for Christmas Eve, New Years Eve or any Eve! The cranberry meatballs are so easy, tender and seeping with flavor from the crock pot and INCREDIBLE sweet and spicy sauce!
Cranberry meatball recipe video
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Why I love cranberry meatballs
I love meatballs. I would request them as my birthday dinner for every single one of my birthday growing up so I’m thrilled to share this holiday worthy Cranberry Meatball recipe just in time for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Eve because these meatballs are the perfect make ahead appetizer that everyone will be begging you for – just like I used to beg my mom to make her famous meatballs growing up.
Cranberry meatball recipe ingredients
- ground beef: use lean ground beef so the meatballs will be tender but not greasy. I have not tried these Cranberry Meatballs with ground turkey or chicken but I am sure they would be delicious, just a little less juicy. Whenever I substitute turkey for beef, I like to add some beef bouillon, you can also add a splash of oil as well.
- crackers: 22 saltine crackers add a fabulous flavor in place of panko or breadcrumbs. I’m sure Ritz crackers would also work well but I haven’t personally tried them.
- dried minced onion: I love using dried minced onion because they deliver concentrated flavor. You can find dried minced onions with all the other seasonings at your grocery store.
- eggs: 2 eggs will do the trick to bind all the ingredients together.
- milk: any kind of milk will work in this Cranberry Meatball recipe.
- seasonings: ginger, garlic powder, salt and pepper add an oomph of flavor without being overpowering.
Sweet and spicy meatballs sauce
A meatball recipe is only as good as the sauce. And this Cranberry Sauce is crazy delicious. The sweet and spicy Cranberry Sauce is inspired by my blackberry hoisin ginger pork tenderloin sauce.
It’s sweet from the cranberry sauce and brown sugar, tangy from the ketchup, complex from the hoisin, grounded by the soy, and spicy from the Buffalo Hot Wings Sauce. Basically, you’ll want to put it on everything!
Sweet and spicy meatballs sauce ingredients
- whole cranberry sauce: you can use store-bought or homemade cranberry sauce, but go for the whole cranberry sauce vs cranberry jelly as the jelly contains more pectin and is less fluid.
- hoisin sauce: is like an Asian BBQ Sauce and can be found in the Asian section of any grocery store. I use it in tons of my Asian recipes, so I promise it will not go to waste! Please use only Kikkoman or Lee Kum Kee brands hoisin sauce because they taste 1000X better!
- ketchup: your favorite will work great. Don’t substitute with other tomato substitutes because they are not as sweet.
- red wine vinegar: adds a subtle tang.
- soy sauce: use less sodium soy sauce so the sauce isn’t too salty.
- brown sugar: enhances the sweetness.
- seasonings: garlic powder and ground ginger add complex flavor.
How to make Cranberry Jalapeno Meatballs
STEP 1: COMBINE MEATBALL INGREDIENTS
These Cranberry Meatballs mega tender and super easy! I used my mom’s perfect moist meatball recipe that uses crushed saltines instead of breadcrumbs as well as dried minced onion for maximum flavor. Simply add all of the meatball ingredients to a large bowl and mix with your hands until evenly combined.
STEP 2: ROLL MEATBALLS
- Next, roll the meat mixture into balls and place on foil lined baking sheet for easy cleanup.
- I suggest using a cookie scoop to roll your cranberry meatballs so they are a uniform size and cook evenly.
- The size of the meatballs is totally personal preference. The recipe will make approximately 75 meatballs using 1″/1 tablespoon cookie scoop; 35-40 meatballs using 2″/2 tablespoon cookie scoop.
STEP 3: BAKE MEATBALLS
- Bake for 8 minutes, or until lightly browned.
- Baking the meatballs ensures they don’t fall apart in the slow cooker and seals in the juices for more tender meatballs. Baking is also much easier in a mass batch to cook instead of frying (and healthier too!).
STEP 4: Combine Sauce Ingredients
- The Cranberry Meatball Sauce is super easy to make, simply whisk all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl.
- I suggest starting with 1 tablespoon hot wings sauce and then adding more hot sauce to taste at the end of cooking. Of course, if you know you like spicy, then feel free to add the full 2 tablespoons.
STEP 5: Layer sauce with meatballs
- The sweet and spicy sauce gets layered between rows of our lightly browned meatballs in the slow cooker so every meatball can be enveloped by their glory.
How long do cranberry meatballs cook?
Cook Cranberry Meatballs on LOW for 2-4 hours. gently stirring one hour into cooking. The meatballs will cook and seep in the zesty, sweet, tangy, savory, spicy sauce.
You can keep the crock pot on the WARM setting until you’re ready to serve.
Cooking sweet and spicy meatballs
Making cranberry meatball recipe in the oven
I would still brown the meatballs in the oven first so they don’t fall apart when cooked. Add sauce and browned/baked meatballs to a large pot and gently simmer over medium low heat for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through, stirring occasionally.
Can I make Cranberry Meatballs in the Oven?
Yes! Increase the baking time to 15-20 minutes for small meatballs and 20-25 minutes for larger meatballs or until the meatballs are cooked through. Either add the cooked meatballs to the cranberry sauce in the crockpot and keep on the warm setting or add them to a large pot over low heat.
How long do cranberry jalapeño meatballs cook?
The meatballs should first be seared in the oven, then placed on a baking rack placed on top of a baking sheet. Transfer the meatballs to the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 2-4 hours depending on size of meatballs of the meatballs.
Variations for spicy meatball recipe
Part of the deliciousness of this Cranberry Meatball Recipe are the homemade meatballs, but you are welcome to use your favorite store-bought meatballs as well.
To make Cranberry Meatballs with store-bought meatballs, you will need one 32 oz. frozen fully cooked home style meatballs.
- SLOW COOKER: Add sauce and meatballs to a 6-qt. slow cooker and cook on low 2-3 hours for THAWED meatballs and 6-8 hours for FROZEN meatballs.
- STOVE TOP: Add sauce and meatballs to a large pot and gently simmer over medium low heat for 15-20 minutes for THAWED meatballs and 30-35 minutes for FROZEN meatballs, stirring occasionally.
Prepping cranberry meatballs in advance
- Assemble and bake the meatballs for 8 minutes.
- Let meatballs cool completely.
- Gently layer meatballs in slow cooker in between layer of sauce per recipe directions.
- Remove crockpot ceramic insert with meatballs/sauce and refrigerate, covered.
- Add an additional 30 minutes to cooking time when ready to make OR cook until meatballs are completely cooked through and sauce is hot.
- Alternatively, you can bake the meatballs for approximately 20 minutes or until cooked through, then just reheat in the sauce.
Freezing & defrosting this cranberry meatball recipe
You can either freeze your Cranberry Meatballs after baking but before cooking in the slow cooker or once fully cooked in the sauce.
Freezing sweet and spicy meatballs after they are cooked
- Let Cranberry Meatballs and Sauce cool completely in the refrigerator before freezing.
- Transfer to an airtight, freezer safe container.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- When ready to use, let meatballs thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Transfer to a large pot and gently simmer until heated through.
Freezing spicy meatball recipe before they have been cooked
- Bake Cranberry Meatballs according to directions.
- Let meatballs cool to room temperature.
- Place entire baking tray with the meatballs in the freezer. You will want to make sure the meatballs are not touching so they don’t freezer together. If your freezer can’t accommodate your baking tray then use a small tray and freeze in batches. Freeze for 1-2 hours.
- When your meatballs are frozen enough that they won’t stick together, then transfer meatballs to freezer safe bags or containers.
- Label meatballs and store meatballs in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- You can also make the sauce, store in an airtight container and freeze separately from the meatballs.
Defrosting cranberry meatballs
When ready to make, cook Cranberry Meatballs either on the stove, crockpot or oven/crockpot:
- STOVE: Add frozen meatballs and sauce to a large pot and simmer for 30 minutes or until cooked through, taking care not to stir the first 10 minutes so you don’t break the meatballs.
- CROCKPOT: Add frozen meatballs and sauce to crockpot and cook on low 6-8 hours or until cooked through and hot.
- OVEN/CROCKPOT: Defrost meatballs in the oven by baking at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes. Meanwhile, defrost sauce in the microwave or stove, stirring often. Transfer meatballs and sauce to crockpot and cook on LOW for 2-4 hours or until completely cooked through.
Cranberry meatball recipe FAQs
The secret to tender meatballs threefold. First, don’t overmix the meatball ingredients or the meat will become tough. Second, use milk and panko breadcrumbs; the breadcrumbs soak up and retain the moisture when baked because panko keeps its structure, unlike traditional breadcrumbs. Lastly, don’t overbake or the meatballs will be dry and tough.
Swedish meatballs are a type of meatball. Swedish meatballs are smaller, typically made from a mixture of ground beef and pork, and are traditionally seasoned with spices like allspice and nutmeg. They are served with a creamy gravy and lingonberry sauce. In contrast, meatballs are more generic and can vary widely in size and ingredients. Italian meatballs, for example, often feature a combination of beef and pork with garlic, herbs, and are frequently served with tomato sauce and pasta. The main difference is in the seasoning, size, and the specific cultural influences that define the flavors and accompaniments of each type of meatball.
To make frozen meatballs taste more like homemade, you can enhance their flavor and texture with a few simple steps:
Sear or Bake: Instead of microwaving, sear the meatballs in a hot skillet with a bit of oil or bake them in the oven before cooking in the slow cooker to create a crispy exterior and a more flavorful crust.
Sauce: Simmer the meatballs in a dynamite sauce like the one in this recipe. As the meatballs thaw/cook, they will soak up the flavor and moisture.
Fresh Herbs: Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley for a burst of freshness and an extra layer of flavor.
These meatballs can be served as an appetizer or part of a delicious and satisfying meal. Here are some ideas for side dishes:
Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic and hearty side to complement the robust meatballs.
Roasted Vegetables: Serve roasted vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or butternut squash for a healthy and colorful addition.
Rice: White or brown rice can be a simple and neutral base to soak up the flavorful cranberry sauce or try this flavorful Cranberry Rice recipe.
Quinoa: Quinoa is a protein-rich alternative to rice and pairs well with cranberry meatballs.
Green Salad: A fresh green salad with a vinaigrette dressing can provide a refreshing contrast to the meatballs. For the holidays, try apple salad, fall salad or pear salad.
Bread or Rolls: Serve dinner rolls or a loaf of crusty bread to soak up the cranberry sauce.
Looking for more Meatball Recipes?
- Honey Buffalo Meatballs
- Cheesy Italian Meatball Sliders
- Italian Meatballs
- Korean Meatballs
- Parmesan Meatballs
- Swedish Meatballs
Want to try this sweet & spicy meatballs recipe?
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Cranberry Meatball Recipe
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Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 22 saltine crackers, crushed
- 1/3 cup dry minced onion
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Sauce
- 1 14 oz. can whole cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup quality hoisin sauce (like Kikkoman or Lee Kum Kee)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Franks Buffalo Hot WINGS Sauce, or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F degrees. Place a baking rack on top of a baking sheet. Set aside. If you don't have a baking rack, line baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine all of the meatball ingredients, mix until well combined. Roll meat mixture into desired meatball size**. Place meatballs onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes, or until lightly browned.
- Meanwhile, whisk all of the Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Sauce ingredients together in a bowl starting with just 1 tablespoon hot wings sauce if you're not sure how spicy you want them. You can add more hot sauce to taste at the end of cooking.
- Line the bottom of your slow cooker with meatballs, then a layer of Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Sauce, then the remaining meatballs followed by the remaining. Sauce. Gently stir meatballs an hour after cooking.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 2-4 hours (depending on size of meatballs) or until cooked through. Taste and stir in additional hot wings sauce (I use a total of 2 tablespoons which is moderately spicy). Keep warm until serving.
Video
Notes
STOVE TOP Cranberry Meatballs
- Brown the meatballs in the oven first per recipe instructions so they don’t fall apart when cooked.
- Add sauce and browned/baked meatballs to a large pot and gently simmer over medium low heat for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through, stirring occasionally.
BAKED Cranberry Meatballs
Yes! Increase the baking time to 15-20 minutes for small meatballs and 20-25 minutes for larger meatballs or until the meatballs are cooked through. Either add the cooked meatballs to the cranberry sauce in the crockpot and keep on the warm setting or add them to a large pot over low heat.Cranberry Meatballs with store bought frozen meatballs
Part of the deliciousness of this Cranberry Meatball Recipe are the homemade meatballs, but you are welcome to use your favorite store-bought meatballs as well. To make Cranberry Meatballs with store-bought meatballs, you will need one 32 oz. frozen fully cooked home style meatballs.- SLOW COOKER: Add sauce and meatballs to a 6-qt. slow cooker and cook on low 2-3 hours for THAWED meatballs and 6-8 hours for FROZEN meatballs.
- STOVE TOP: Add sauce and meatballs to a large pot and gently simmer over medium low heat for 15-20 minutes for THAWED meatballs and 30-35 minutes for FROZEN meatballs, stirring occasionally.
Prep Ahead Cranberry Meatballs
- Assemble and bake the meatballs for 5 minutes.
- Let meatballs cool completely.
- Gently layer meatballs in slow cooker in between layer of sauce per recipe directions.
- Remove crockpot ceramic insert with meatballs/sauce and refrigerate, covered.
- Add an additional 30 minutes to cooking time when ready to make OR cook until meatballs are completely cooked through and sauce is hot.
- Alternatively, you can bake the meatballs for approximately 20 minutes or until cooked through, then just reheat in the sauce.
Can I freeze Cranberry Meatballs?
You can either freeze your Cranberry Meatballs after baking but before cooking in the slow cooker or once fully cooked in the sauce.TO FREEZE CRANBERRY MEATBALLS AFTER COOKING:
- Let Cranberry Meatballs and Sauce cool completely in the refrigerator before freezing.
- Transfer to an airtight, freezer safe container.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- When ready to use, let meatballs thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Transfer to a large pot and gently simmer until heated through.
TO FREEZE CRANBERRY MEATBALLS BEFORE COOKING:
- Bake Cranberry Meatballs according to directions.
- Let meatballs cool to room temperature.
- Place entire baking tray with the meatballs in the freezer. You will want to make sure the meatballs are not touching so they don’t freezer together. If your freezer can’t accommodate your baking tray then use a small tray and freeze in batches. Freeze for 1-2 hours.
- When your meatballs are frozen enough that they won’t stick together, then transfer meatballs to freezer safe bags or containers.
- Label meatballs and store meatballs in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- You can also make the sauce, store in an airtight container and freeze separately from the meatballs.
How to Defrost Frozen Cranberry Meatballs
When ready to make, cook Cranberry Meatballs either on the stove, crockpot or oven/crockpot:- STOVE: Add frozen meatballs and sauce to a large pot and simmer for 30 minutes or until cooked through, taking care not to stir the first 10 minutes so you don’t break the meatballs.
- CROCKPOT: Add frozen meatballs and sauce to crockpot and cook on low 6-8 hours or until cooked through and hot.
- OVEN/CROCKPOT: Defrost meatballs in the oven by baking at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes. Meanwhile, defrost sauce in the microwave or stove, stirring often. Transfer meatballs and sauce to crockpot and cook on LOW for 2-4 hours or until completely cooked through.
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Sweet and spicy meatball comments and reviews
I just made these for a holiday party this weekend. Wanted to leave feedback…because they were a HUGE HIT! – Niki
I have made this recipe so many times for my family and it is a huge hit in our house. It is one of my favorite recipes for the slow cooker. The sauce is amazing!!… – Julia
Thank you for this INSANELY delicious recipe! I made these meatballs for New Years and they were gone so fast! – Audrey
My mother made these for my 10 y/o son tonight (but w ground chicken) & he loved them so much, he ate about 15 of them (!!!) then got up, hugged her & said thanks for dinner Nani & asked me to make them for him lol… -Audra
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
This is a FANTASTIC twist on the traditional cocktail meatball!
Sandra Shaffer says
That cranberry sauce on the meatballs looks delicious! Great appetizer. Actually, I could eat this as a main dish!
sarah says
I love that you did a homemade meatball. These look out of this world good!
Marion@Life Tastes Good says
I absolutely am on a meatball kick right now, and I love cranberry anything, so these are really making my mouth water!
Rachael says
They certainly look delicious. I can see why you would request them for birthdays!
Shanna C says
I’m looking forward to trying these! i L.O.V.E. meatballs! 🙂
Jen says
I think you will love these Shanna! I am excited for you to try them!
Maura says
Hi — I am a little late to this party, but I can’t wait to try these this Christmas! I am wondering if the meatballs can be prepared and/or cooked in advance (Steps 1 / 2), then tossed into the freezer. Then continuing the recipe on the day of….
Thanks!
Jen says
Hi Maura! You can definitely cook the meatballs in advance, I do this all the time and then put them in the fridge. I have never frozen them, but I am sure they would freeze just fine. Enjoy!
Alexis says
These look crazy good! I still have cranberry sauce so now I really want to make these. They remind me of sweet and sour meatballs that my mom used to make 🙂
Jen says
Thank you Alexis! These are perfect for leftover cranberry sauce so I hope you get to make them soon! Enjoy!
Karrie says
Not only do these meatballs look great, but they are delicious. Great way to use that leftovers can of cranberry sauce. They were a hit.
Jen says
YAY! I am so happy they were a hit Karrie! Thanks so much for letting me know :)!!!
Audrey says
Thank you for this INSANELY delicious recipe! I made these meatballs for New Years and they were gone so fast!
Jen says
You are most welcome Audrey, I am so happy everyone loved them so much! I hope you have a very happy and healthy 2015!
Bonita says
I have made these 3 times, I broil the meatballs until brown on both sides, finish cooking in the crockpot, I hate having the oven on in Florida.. Thanks for the great recipe…
Jen says
Hi Bonita, 3 times already, that makes my happy! You are most welcome – as my mom used to say “I love an appreciative eater!” 🙂 So happy you are enjoying the recipe and broiling is a great idea. Happy 2015!
Raschell @MissHomemade.com says
I am looking forward to making these this holiday season. Your recipes are easy to make and scrumptious. Thanks for posting!
Jen says
You are so welcome Raschell and thank you for your kind words! I think you will love these 🙂
Melanie K says
These looks absolutely delicious!! Would bread crumbs work instead of saltine crackers? Thank you!!
Jen says
Hi Melanie, I have never tried bread crumbs instead of saltines in this particular recipe, but I think they should work just fine. Enjoy!
Jasmine says
Hi! Thanks for sharing your recipe! Was just wondering if it would still be doable without the hot sauce? Have a toddler at home who can’t take spicy…
Jen says
Hi Jasmine! I would suggest leaving out the hot sauce and reducing the sugar by 2 tablespoons. At the end of cooking you can taste and add a little hot sauce if you would like – or add it to only your portion. Hope this helps!
nancy says
Do you need a large crockpot for this? I have an older regular sized one. Thanks
Jen says
Hi Nancy, a regular one should work just fine – enjoy!
Rae says
I made these for Christmas Eve and they were a hit. We all really enjoyed them and I’ll definitely make these again.
Jen says
Awesome Rae, thank you! I am so happy to hear they were a hit! I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!
Tara says
Hi could these be cooked on the stove top? Please let me know how ! (Timing etc.)
Jen says
Yes they can Tara! I would heat about 1/4-inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat, add meatballs and cook until browned on all sides then add Cranberry Sauce ingredients and turn to low and simmer gently for at least 30 minutes for optimum flavor. Enjoy!
Kathy says
Could i make these with ground chicken instead?
Jen says
Hi Kathy, you certainly use ground chicken but just be aware that they might be as juicy as fattier proteins mean juicier meatballs. Also watch the cooking time more carefully because the lack of fat means they can overcook and become tough much more quickly. Hope this helps!
Niki says
Just made these for a holiday party this weekend. Wanted to leave feedback…because they were a HUGE HIT!
Jen says
So sorry for my delayed response Niki, I have been super behind with all the holidays but THANK YOU so much for taking the time to comment! I am thrilled these were such a huge hit – yay! I hope you have the Happiest New Year!
Patricia Lane says
Hi, was reviewing the video carefully, could only see 28 meatballs on the bottom layer, and I think by the time you put the lid on, there was probably another layer – by the end, did that crockpot contain all 70 meatballs/2lb worth? or were those the 2″ scoop meatball size (=35)? I ask because I’m wondering if I can fit a double recipe worth of meatballs into my 6 qt crockpot and it looked like the pot was less than half full with what you prepared there. Would a double recipe of sauce be enough to cover 140 meatballs, do you think? thank you!
Jen says
Hi Patricia! You should be able to fit double recipe in your 6qt. crockpot – it might be tight but should work. You will probably also want to increase the cooking time to closer to 3 hours. Hope this helps!
Kerrie says
Hi, What would u use for Franks sauces as I live in Australia and cannot get that sauce as it looks like some thing my family would eat
Jen says
Hi Kerrie! I’m not sure what the appropriate Australian substitute is so the best bet is to use your favorite hot sauce and adjust with more or less to taste. Good luck!
Patricia says
I also live in Sydney,Australia and you can buy Franks Hot Sauce in any Coles Supermarket. I have made all the Meatball Recipes and they are absolutely delicious!.I always double the sauce though,as my family cannot get enough of it. Thank you!
Jen says
Thanks for the heads up on where to buy Franks Hot Sauce in Australia! I’m so happy this recipe is such a winner with your family!
Julia says
I have made this recipe so many times for my family and it is a huge hit in our house. It is one of my favorite recipes for the slow cooker. The sauce is amazing!! It’s the perfect blend of sweet and spicy and I love that it has cranberry sauce in it. I always have a can sitting in the cupboard left over from turkey dinner and never knew what to do with it. Thank you so much for sharing this delicious recipe!!
Jen says
I love hearing how much you love this recipe Julia, thank you! You have me craving these meatballs for breakfast 🙂
Audra says
My mother made these for my 10 y/o son tonight (but w ground chicken) & he loved them so much, he ate about 15 of them (!!!) then got up, hugged her & said thanks for dinner Nani & asked me to make them for him lol Needless to say, that has landed me here. I’ll be making these soon! Thx for the recipe!! It’s not often my son loves something so much!
Jen says
I love this – what a fabulous visual of your son hugging your mom! What a sweet, appreciative son – you must be a great mom! I am so happy they were such a hit and a new fav for a 10 year old! Thanks Audra for taking the time to bring a smile to my face!
Tiffny says
Hi!! I am a cooking teacher in Texas and want to do this my high school students. I have tons of leftover cans of jellied Cranberry sauce from a prior event that needs to be used. Will jellied cranberry sauce work in this recipe instead of whole?
Jen says
Yes, I think that should work just fine! Enjoy!
Meg says
I”m really excited to try these! I’m prepping for thanksgiving and thought I’d make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them. How long should I cook the meatball in the oven @ 400?
Jen says
Hi Meg, for fully baked meatballs, bake them for around 20 minutes then check for doneness. Enjoy!
Emily says
Do you think I could defrost a bag of Trader Joe’s meatballs and throw them in the crockpot with the sauce ingredients still on low for 2 hours?
Jen says
Absolutely!
Anna says
Just stumbled on to this recipe and I would like to take them to a NYE party. Are these by any chance gluten free? My hostess is, and I’m hoping she’ll be able to enjoy them with the rest of us. Thank you!
Jen says
Hi Anna, they are not gluten free. You would need to find a gluten free meatball recipe to use and a gluten free hoisin sauce. Hope that helps!
Bailey says
Hi to make gluten free meatballs you just need to substitute the crackers for gluten free crackers. I make GF meatballs all the time and I use Schar table crackers, they work great!
Joy says
Hello ,
I want to try it with Sweet Mango Habanero Sauce I have made . I am just wondering how much of the sauce should I put in with the meatballs?
Thanks
Jen says
Hi Joy, sorry for getting to you so late as it was during the crazy season! I hope your meatballs turned out delicious!
Alex says
I substituted 2 tbsp of the hot wing sauce with 2tbsp of the Sambal Oelek chili paste, and the saltine crackers with 2/3c of traditional bread crumbs (because that was what I had in my pantry and I didn’t want to make a trip to the grocery store), and the meatballs turned out perfect! The meatballs and the sauce went really well with mashed potatoes and some roasted carrots/broccoli for dinner. Definitely will make this again!
Jen says
I’m so glad it worked out for you Alex! Sometimes we just have to work with what we’ve got and it still sounds so delicious! Hope you continue enjoying it 🙂
Amy says
My mother made these a few days ahead as a contribution to a family party we had tonight, froze and dropped them off. I thawed and popped them in a few hours before and they were the hit of the night! So so good. Had to post because my mother and I make your recipes all the time and we are the hit of all our family get togethers! We made sure to give you all the credit!! Thanks from fans in Northern VA!!
Jen says
Thanks so much for your awesome comment Amy! I love hearing you and your mom love my recipes! What a great idea o make and freeze these meatballs in advance – I’m so pleased they were a hit! Happy New Year!
Cyndi in NC says
Thanks for the post from Anna. I was calculating how to make this gluten free as I have Celiac disease. But it’s something I’ve had to do for over 2 years now. I love your recipes and I love that you are in Carlsbad, one of me favorite places in California. (I live in North Carolina!) Also Kiwi is adorable!!
Lynn says
YUMMY! I reduced the the Frank’s Wing Sauce to 1 tbsp, only because one of our guests doesn’t care for spicy food. It was perfect!! Made it in the oven. This will be wonderful as an extra comfort meal at Thanksgiving or Christmas, or on any cold winter night, for sure!
Jen says
Thanks for taking the time to comment Lynn, I’m so pleased these Cranberry Meatballs were such a hit!
Sandra York says
I used this cranberry sauce in pulled pork instead of making meatballs. Delicious
Jen says
I LOVE that idea, can’t wait to try it, thanks Sandra!
Connie says
My family loves these meatballs!!! Your recipe has become a go-to for every occasion, whether at my house or someone else’s. I have made it over a dozen times in the last 2 years or so. My husband and I are going to a Super Bowl party this Sunday at one of our friends’ houses and we’re having a little chicken wing contest…bet you can guess what I’m thinking….I’m wondering how the sauce would work with chicken wings…? I’m thinking I’ll cook the wings in it in the crockpot and then take them out to broil in the oven just a bit before serving. I may have to put the sauce in a pan and bring it to a boil to reduce for a glaze on the finished product. Just wondered what your thoughts are…?
Jen says
That makes me SO happy to hear the Cranberry Meatballs are such a repeat favorite! I think the wings would be fabulous with this sauce! You can make them in the crockpot or follow my baking directions for these Korean Wings https://carlsbadcravings.com/korean-chicken-wings/ (including the rub). enjoy!
Stephanie says
If I only used one pound of ground beef. Would I cut the other ingredients in half as well? How many meatballs
Would one pound of ground Beef make? Like 35?
Jen says
Hi Stephanie, I wouldn’t cut the recipe in half because they go so quickly and 2 lbs beef makes 35 regular meatballs (more if they are smaller). If you want to use 1 lb of beef, then yes, cut the rest of the ingredients in half. Good luck!
Jeri says
I’m a quick and easy kind of cook so I used frozen meatballs. The sauce was amazing! I will definitely be making this again very soon.
Jen says
Thanks so much Jeri! I’m so pleased you loved the sauce so much!
Molly McDonald says
Hi! Could use homemade cranberry sauce? I have an extra bag of cranberries and have no use for it until I came across your recipe!
Jen says
Absolutely!
Susan says
Hi Jen! I love your recipes and was wondering if these can be made in an IP?
Hope you had a beautiful Christmas and wish you and your family a Very Happy and Healthy 2022!
Jen says
Hi Susan, I’m sure they can but I haven’t personally tried it. I would look a recipe for IP meatballs for the technique and use my recipe for the ingredients. Best!
Anna says
I used my own frozen meatballs with your sauce recipe and served them as part of my Christmas supper. Got rave reviews! Thanks for the recipe.
Jen says
You’re so welcome Anna, I’m thrilled they were a big hit!
Kit says
Looking forward to making this recipe, but I’m wondering where the jalapeños are. It’s says: CRANBERRY JALAPEÑO MEATBALLS ARE THE PERFECT APPETIZER!
Thank you.
Jen says
Thanks for catching that! I had a team updating old recipes and they that. Fixed!
Françoise says
Hi, I would like to make the meatballs in advance and froze them. How long I have to cook them in the oven before freezing? 8 min or 20min? So on Thankgiving day I just need to put my frozen meatballs with sauce in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6hrs ? Just to make sure I do it right.
Thank you very much!❤️
Jen says
Hi Francoise! It really is up to you and how much time you want to cook them on Thanksgiving day. If you cook them for 8 minutes, then they will need to be thawed and cooked completely in the sauce (closer to 4-6 hours, or internal temp of 165 degrees F – make sure to check them early, every slow cooker is different! This will make the most flavorful meatballs). If you bake them for 20 minutes, then they are just being thawed and reheated with the sauce. Hope this helps!
A says
Hi, We love all your recipes! Might I use apricot jam instead of cranberry sauce here?
Jen says
I haven’t tried it, but you can definitely experiment! Apricot is sweeter than cranberry, so you might want to reduce the brown sugar a little to balance it out. Let me know how it goes if you try it!