Cranberry Meatballs in the Crockpot
Cranberry meatballs in the crockpot are a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors that will elevate any meal. These tender, juicy meatballs are enveloped in a luscious cranberry sauce, making them perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or cozy weeknight dinners. Let your crockpot do the work while you savor the tantalizing aroma wafting through your kitchen. Serve them as appetizers with toothpicks or over rice for a hearty main dish that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 16 meatballs (8 servings) 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Shape the mixture into one-inch meatballs.
- (Optional) Brown meatballs in a skillet over medium heat for about 4 minutes before transferring to the crockpot.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, and brown sugar. Pour over meatballs in the crockpot.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Serve hot with toothpicks as appetizers or over rice for a hearty meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 meatballs (80g)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Feel free to enhance the flavor by adding garlic powder or swapping ground beef for turkey or chicken. For added depth in the sauce, incorporate a splash of soy sauce or some fresh herbs.