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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
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
Video
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!
If I doubled the recipe do I double the time?
You shouldn’t have to, especially if your slow cooker is large enough. I’ve made more before, and the cook time was fine. 🙂
How would you suggest I cook them if I made homemade meatballs and they are raw? Maybe bake in the oven first then follow all steps into the slow cooker? Thanks! Looks and sounds DS delicious!
I would definitely bake them first. You could even do this ahead of time, freeze them and add them to the Crock-Pot. 🙂
Tis the season for cranberry orange!!
We love meatballs! What a great twist!
I love this version! We make meatballs for almost every holiday! We’ll have to change it up and try these this Christmas!
Thanks so much, Angie. Meatballs are the best!
Such a perfect flavor combo for party meatballs!
Interesting combination of flavors. I would like to try your recipe. Thanks
Yeah, I could eat these meatballs for dinner. Forget the appetizer!
That’s what we did tonight — we’re a little bit addicted to them!
I’ve never used the slow cooker for meatballs before but I’m definitely going to after seeing this! These look so juicy and flavorful!
Thanks, Sabrina! It’s one of my favorite ways to make meatballs. 🙂
These sound delicious, especially with the hint of orange flavor! Def. going to try these the next time we have friends over!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thanks, Carrie! We absolutely loved them, and they are super easy!