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Cranberry Meatballs in Slow Cooker

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These sweet and tangy cranberry meatballs are a crowd-pleasing party appetizer made effortlessly in the slow cooker. Tender homemade meatballs are simmered in a glossy cranberry-chili sauce, perfect for holidays, potlucks, or game nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
  • 1 cup plain or seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion (sweet or yellow)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • 1 can (14 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 bottle (12 oz) chili sauce (Heinz or preferred brand)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp orange zest (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, milk, onion, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs (about 30-36 total) using a cookie scoop or hands. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. Optional: Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake meatballs for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned, or sear in a nonstick skillet with oil for 5-6 minutes, turning to brown all sides.
  4. In a separate bowl, mix cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, and orange zest (if using) until smooth.
  5. Pour half the sauce into the bottom of a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Add meatballs, then pour remaining sauce over the top. Stir gently to coat.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours (3-4 hours if using frozen pre-cooked meatballs) until meatballs are hot and sauce is bubbling.
  7. Stir gently and serve warm from the slow cooker or transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and check chili sauce label. For dairy-free, substitute milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk. Browning meatballs before slow cooking adds flavor and helps them hold together. Prep meatballs ahead and refrigerate overnight for easy assembly. Sauce thickens as it cools; if too thin, leave slow cooker lid off for last 20 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry meatballs, slow cooker, party appetizer, sweet and tangy, holiday recipe, potluck, easy meatballs, comfort food

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/cranberry-meatballs-in-slow-cooker-easy-sweet-and-tangy-party-recipe/