Quick and Easy Cranberry Meatballs
These Quick and Easy Cranberry Meatballs are the ultimate lifesaver when you need something fast but still want to impress. They’re made with pre-cooked turkey meatballs, and the magic happens when you toss them in a sweet and tangy sauce made from chili sauce, cranberry sauce, a bit of brown sugar, and lemon juice. The flavors are perfectly balanced, and you can whip them up on the stovetop or let them cook slowly in the crockpot—either way, they’re a total hit. Perfect for parties, game day, or even a cozy dinner at home.
6 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pre-cooked turkey meatballs
- 1 12 ounces bottle of chili sauce
- 1 14 ounces can of jellied cranberry sauce
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- Juice from 1 fresh lemon
Instructions
Stovetop Instructions:
- Grab a large saucepan and set it over medium heat. Pour in the chili sauce, cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Stir everything together until the cranberry sauce melts and the mixture becomes smooth and well combined.
- Add your pre-cooked meatballs to the pan, stirring to coat them in the sauce. Let everything simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce is nice and thick. Serve them warm and watch them disappear!
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- If you’re using a slow cooker, simply combine the chili sauce, cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice in the insert. Use a wooden spoon to break up the cranberry sauce and stir until everything starts to come together.
- Add the pre-cooked meatballs and give it a good stir to coat them evenly with the sauce. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the sauce is smooth and the meatballs are hot all the way through. Once they’re ready, just serve and enjoy the compliments!
Notes
Good news—this recipe is super easy to make gluten-free! Just double-check that your pre-cooked meatballs are gluten-free (many brands offer gluten-free options). Also, make sure the chili sauce and cranberry sauce you’re using don’t contain any hidden gluten ingredients. With those simple swaps, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dish that everyone can enjoy, even those avoiding gluten!