Sweet, tangy, and incredibly easy - these turkey meatballs are the perfect dump-and-go holiday appetizer that will disappear in seconds.
When you are hosting a holiday party or a game day gathering, you need an appetizer that is both crowd-pleasing and virtually effortless. These Slow Cooker BBQ Cranberry Turkey Meatballs check every single box. They are a tasty twist on the classic sweet and sour meatball, swapping grape jelly for tart cranberry sauce.
By utilizing the slow cooker, you can simply toss the ingredients in and let the crockpot do all the heavy lifting, freeing up your oven and your time to focus on your guests.
This recipe is an absolute lifesaver during busy seasons. The combination of tangy cranberry sauce and smoky BBQ sauce creates a rich, sticky glaze that perfectly coats the tender turkey meatballs. It requires practically zero prep work - especially if you use high-quality frozen meatballs.
Plus, serving them straight from the slow cooker keeps them warm and gooey for hours, making it the ultimate grazing food for any occasion.
To keep this recipe incredibly quick, we recommend using pre-cooked, high-quality frozen turkey meatballs. However, if you have a favorite homemade turkey meatball recipe, you can easily bake them first and then toss them into the sauce.
For the sauce, a can of jellied cranberry sauce works best to create that smooth, glossy coating. Pair it with your favorite brand of original or hickory smoke BBQ sauce for the perfect flavor balance.
If you want to add a little kick to balance the sweetness, stir in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce into the BBQ cranberry mixture before cooking.
Make sure to give the meatballs a good stir halfway through the cooking time to ensure they are evenly coated and the sauce hasn't stuck to the bottom of the slow cooker.
Store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They reheat beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
You can also freeze leftovers! Simply place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
If your crowd loves a little spice, swap the cayenne pepper for a few dashes of sriracha or use a spicy BBQ sauce as your base.
Keep the slow cooker plugged in and set to 'Warm' during your party. The sauce will continue to thicken and get beautifully sticky.
Follow me on Pinterest for more delicious ideas!
John is a certified nutritionist and former restaurant head chef. He shares healthy, weeknight-friendly meals that don't compromise on flavor.
View all recipes by John ➔
Comments & Reviews
4.8 (125 Ratings)Leave a Reply