These 15 minute Cranberry Sauce Meatballs are sweet yet savory, garlicky, and so dang addicting. They’re the perfect appetizer for holiday parties, game day, or just because you’re craving meatballs.
If you love this recipe, you’ll really love my Cranberry Pie Dip. It’s layers of cheesecake and cranberry orange sauce… The perfect sweet treat to go along with these meatballs!
The holidays just wouldn’t be complete without meatballs, am I right? And these are not your average cranberry meatballs.
These Cranberry Sauce Meatballs are cooked on the stove-top and done in 15 minutes! As for the flavor, they do have the cranberry sauce taste but with savory elements from the chili sauce and fresh garlic. I also add a splash of maple syrup to really amp up the holiday flavor.
For another meatball appetizer, try my Honey Sriracha Meatballs. They’re spicy, sweet, and easy (just like these ones).
Cranberry Sauce Meatballs Ingredients
Here’s everything you need for these meatballs and a few important notes, keep reading.
- Meatballs: Grab yourself a bag of pre-cooked homestyle meatballs. They’re the ones you get in the frozen section, but you can always use homemade too.
- Chili Sauce: This is our base for the meatballs because it has all the spices, tang, and ketchup flavor needed for great meatballs.
- Jellied Cranberry Sauce: This is the stuff that comes in the can. It is unsweetened and great for our sauce.
- Maple Syrup: For a teeny bit of sweetness. You can use brown sugar or even honey in it’s place.
- Garlic: You’ll want to use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor, and grate them instead of mincing.
You’ll also need a large pot like a Dutch oven and potentially a slow cooker.
How to Make Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
1. Heat the cranberry sauce. To a large pot or Dutch oven, add the chili sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, maple syrup, and grated garlic cloves. Stir while bringing the mixture to a boil.
2. Add and cook the meatballs. Coat the frozen meatballs with the cranberry sauce, reduce heat to medium, cover the pot and allow them to cook for 10 to 15 minutes. The meatballs should be warm in the center and the sauce should be slightly thickened. Serve!
ELIZABETH’S NOTE: If you’re serving these meatballs for a party, pour them into a slow cooker and place on low or keep warm during your party.
Storing Information
Store any leftover Cranberry Sauce Meatballs in an airtight container and in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Easily reheat them in the oven or eat cold. You can also freeze these for up to 3 months and rewarm them when you want.
What To Serve With Your Meatballs
These Cranberry Sauce Meatballs are best during the fall and winter season because of their flavors.
You can serve them as an appetizer for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. They also go great with other appetizers for game day. Or turn them into dinner with a side of roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
More Holiday Appetizers To Try
Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
EQUIPMENT
- Dutch oven - or large pot
- slow cooker - optional
INGREDIENTS
- 3-4 pounds meatballs - frozen
- 1 12 ounce jar chili sauce
- 1 14 ounce can jellied cranberry sauce
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 garlic cloves - grated
INSTRUCTIONS
- To a large Dutch oven or pot, add the chili sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, maple syrup, and grated garlic cloves. Stir the mixture together and allow it to come to a boil.
- Once boiling, add the frozen meatballs and stir to coat them in the sauce. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and allow them to cook for 10 to 15 minutes (or until warmed through).
- OPTIONAL: If you're serving these at a party, pour the cooked meatballs into a slow cooker and place on low or keep warm.
RECIPE NOTES
STORING INFORMATION
- Refrigerated, in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.
- Frozen, in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag, for up to 3 months.
- Rewarm meatballs on the stove-top or in the slow cooker on low until warmed through. If you’re rewarming just a couple, use the microwave.
Metric conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
