Cranberry BBQ Meatballs Recipe
Cranberry Meatballs combine tangy cranberry sauce with savory BBQ sauce, creating a perfect sweet and smoky glaze over tender meatballs. This easy-to-make dish can be prepared quickly on the stovetop or conveniently slow-cooked for parties and gatherings, making it ideal as an appetizer or a hearty dinner served with rice and vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound frozen or fresh meatballs (beef or turkey)
- For homemade meatballs: 1 pound ground beef, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper
Sauce
- 1 cup whole cranberry sauce (canned or homemade)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (any brand or flavor, such as Sweet Baby Ray’s)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the BBQ sauce and cranberry sauce. Stir the mixture and bring it to a gentle simmer.
- Add meatballs: Add the frozen or fresh meatballs to the simmering sauce. Stir to coat all meatballs thoroughly with the sauce.
- Simmer the meatballs: Cover the pan with a lid and simmer the meatballs. Fresh meatballs will take about 10 minutes to heat through, while frozen meatballs require about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Slow cooker option: For parties, pour the combined sauces into a slow cooker. Add the meatballs, cover with the lid, and cook on low for 2-3 hours or until heated through. Keep on warm or low setting for up to 8 hours ready to serve.
- Serve and enjoy: These meatballs are perfect as an appetizer kept warm in a slow cooker, or served for dinner alongside white rice, coconut rice, and green salad or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- You can make your own meatballs for a fresher, homemade touch or use frozen meatballs for convenience.
- Whole cranberry sauce is preferred over jellied to add texture and bursts of flavor to the dish.
- Slow cooker method is great for parties to keep meatballs warm and ready to serve for several hours.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for 4-5 days or frozen for up to 6 months.
- Reheat leftovers on the stovetop or microwave; simmer sauce if it’s too thin after reheating.
Keywords: cranberry meatballs, BBQ meatballs, sweet and smoky meatballs, holiday appetizers, easy party recipes, slow cooker meatballs
Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/cranberry-bbq-meatballs-recipe/
