How long do you cook cranberry meatballs in a crockpot?

I cooked mine on low for 4 hours using frozen meatballs. That worked well for this recipe.

Do I need to thaw the meatballs first?

I used frozen meatballs and added them straight to the crockpot, so there is no thawing step.

Can I use jellied cranberry sauce instead of whole?

I made this recipe with whole cranberry sauce, so that is the version I can vouch for. I have not tested it with jellied.

Are these an appetizer or a main dish?

They are mainly an appetizer. Serve them with toothpicks at a party, or spoon them over mashed potatoes if you want a dinner.

Can I use my homemade meatballs for this recipe?

Yes, you can. For years, I used my own homemade meatballs, sometimes freshly made and sometimes ones I had frozen. If you use fresh homemade meatballs, check that they reach 160°F inside so you know they are cooked through.

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs (Easy 5 Ingredient Appetizer)

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Easy crockpot cranberry meatballs made with frozen meatballs, whole cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. A simple slow cooker appetizer for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 10 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

32 ounces frozen meatballs
1 can (14 ounces) whole cranberry sauce
1 bottle (12 ounces) chili sauce
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

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Instructions

Spray the inside of the crockpot with cooking spray. Add the frozen meatballs.
In a bowl, stir together the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and stir gently until they are coated.
Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
Stir and serve warm with toothpicks.

Notes

1. Switch the crockpot to warm to keep the meatballs ready for a party.
2. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
3. Made with whole cranberry sauce. Jellied was not tested.

Author: Susan Buonpane
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Appetizer
Method: Crockpot/Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American