The Daily Plate

3-Ingredient Cranberry Meatballs

The party bite that takes five minutes to start: juicy meatballs simmered in a glossy sweet-tangy glaze of cranberry sauce and chili sauce. Three ingredients, one slow cooker, endless compliments. Serve them straight from the crock with toothpicks — and if meatballs are your love language, try our mummy meatballs too.

Cranberry meatballs in a slow cooker glazed with glossy red cranberry chili sauce, toothpicks alongside
Prep time5 min
Cook time3 hours
Total3 hr 5 min
Yield12 appetizer servings
CuisineAmerican
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🧺Ingredients

  • 2 lb frozen fully-cooked homestyle meatballs
  • 1 can (14 oz) whole-berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 bottle (12 oz) chili sauce (like Heinz)

👩‍🍳Instructions

  1. Make the sauce. Whisk the cranberry sauce and chili sauce together in the slow cooker until mostly smooth.
  2. Add the meatballs. Add the frozen meatballs and stir to coat in the sauce.
  3. Slow cook. Cover and cook on LOW 3-4 hours (or HIGH 1 1/2-2 hours), stirring once halfway, until the meatballs are heated through and glazed.
  4. Serve. Keep on WARM for serving with toothpicks, or pile over rice for dinner.

💡 Party smarts

Whole-berry cranberry sauce gives the best texture — jellied works but the glaze is smoother. Do not thaw the meatballs first; they heat through perfectly in the sauce. For a spicy kick, stir in a tablespoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes.

❓Common questions

Can I make these in the oven instead?

Yes — combine everything in a baking dish and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, stirring once, until hot and glazed.

What is chili sauce? Is it spicy?

Bottled chili sauce (like Heinz) is a sweet-tangy tomato condiment, not hot sauce. Find it near the ketchup.

Can I use homemade meatballs?

Yes — brown 2 lb of your favorite homemade meatballs first, then add them to the sauce.

How do I keep them warm for a party?

Leave the slow cooker on WARM for up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally so the glaze does not scorch.

Cranberry meatballs in a slow cooker glazed with glossy red cranberry chili sauce, toothpicks alongside
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Save these 3-ingredient cranberry meatballs to your "Thanksgiving Recipes" board for the easiest party bite.

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