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Crock-Pot Cranberry Orange Meatballs are easy to make in the slow cooker and are perfect appetizers for holiday parties and gatherings.
Cocktail meatballs make the best appetizers, and this Crock-Pot orange cranberry meatball recipe is probably the easiest appetizer ever! It’s perfect for holiday entertaining, or you can even turn this into an easy fix it and forget it type of dinner — just like we did tonight.
My grandmother always made the most amazing cocktail meatballs whenever my parents had their annual Christmas party. Everything was made from scratch, from the meatballs to the sauce, and these were some awesome meatballs. Honestly, all of the guests raved about them!
So, I’ve been trying to find my grandma’s recipe, without much luck. But in the meantime, I have an easy cocktail meatball recipe that tastes just as good and is made entirely in your slow cooker. Seriously.
Update! Here’s the homemade cocktail party meatball recipe!
This recipe is inspired by our favorite cranberry orange ham, which we usually have for Christmas dinner. And, it only uses five ingredients. You can’t beat that!
You start off with some pre-cooked frozen meatballs — You can use your favorite recipe for homemade meatballs, or you can buy them from the store — just make sure that they’re fully cooked.
How to make Crock-Pot cranberry orange meatballs
You put them into a slow cooker — I used a small one, but if you’re cooking for a crowd, you can easily double the recipe and make these in a larger Crock-Pot.
Then, you add some orange marmalade and cranberry sauce, plus the remaining ingredients, stir, and cook on high for two hours. After that, you can let the meatballs simmer on low until you’re read to serve them.
Easy peasy? Definitely!
The sauce is thick, tangy and slightly sweet, and the meatballs are super tender and juicy.
Recipe for Crock-Pot cranberry orange meatballs
Crock-Pot Cranberry Orange Meatballs
Video
Ingredients
- 20 frozen meatballs (can use homemade or your favorite brand)
- 1 can jellied cranberry sauce
- ½ cup orange marmalade
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onions
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or non-stic cooking spray
Instructions
- Add olive oil to slow cooker, or use non-stick cooking spray
- Add meatballs, and top with remaining ingredients
- Stir to coat meatballs, cover and cook on high for 2 hours. Turn heat to low until ready to serve
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe for Crock-Pot cranberry orange meatballs is picky-eater approved. My kids absolutely loved them, so they’re guaranteed to be a hit at your holiday parties.
If you want a spicier version, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Happy Holidays!
Can you cook these a day before your event?
Yes. They are easy to reheat.
Thanks Dee!
You’re very welcome!