Cranberry Meatballs
User Reviews
5
Cranberry Meatballs
Description
This recipe for Cranberry Meatballs mixes frozen, pre-cooked meatballs with a sauce made by melting jellied cranberry sauce and whisking in chili sauce, orange juice, and brown sugar. The sauce offers a vibrant balance of tart, sweet, and mildly spicy notes that complement the savory meatballs. Cooking them together in a slow cooker for several hours on low allows the meatballs to absorb the sauce flavors and become tender and well-coated.
The preparation is straightforward—combining the sauced ingredients and meatballs in a slow cooker and cooking for four hours. The leftovers reheat well and can be served as appetizers or part of a casual meal. Chopped parsley adds a fresh, colorful touch at serving.
This dish suits gatherings or easy entertaining, given the minimal active cooking time and use of ready-made meatballs. The slow cooker method frees the cook for other tasks while building flavor over time.
Ingredients
- 1 lb bag meatballs I recommend turkey meatballs, frozen, pre-cooked
- 1 ounce bottle chili sauce
- 1 ounce can cranberry sauce jellied
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- parsley chopped, optional
Instructions
- Place the cranberry sauce in a bowl and microwave at 45 second intervals until just melted.
- Whisk in the chili sauce, orange juice and brown sugar; stir until mostly smooth.
- Place the meatballs in a slow cooker and pour the sauce over them.
- Cook for 4 hours on LOW then serve, topped with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use frozen, pre-cooked meatballs like turkey for quicker prep and consistent cooking.
- Cook on low heat in a slow cooker for about 4 hours to allow flavors to meld properly.
- Garnish with chopped parsley just before serving for a fresh herbal accent.
- Recipe adapted from Ocean Spray; consider adjusting sweetness or spice to taste.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 306 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 306kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 86mg | 29% |
| Sodium | 623mg | 26% |
| Potassium | 115mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 16g | 32% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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