These slow cooker 3-ingredient cranberry BBQ meatballs are the kind of easy party recipe that saves the day when you need something warm, crowd-pleasing, and almost effortless. Using canned cranberry sauce gives them that sweet-tart flavor that blends beautifully with barbecue sauce, and the slow cooker keeps everything hot and ready for game day, potlucks, holiday gatherings, or a simple family snack night.
Serve these meatballs with toothpicks as an appetizer, or spoon them over rice, mashed potatoes, or buttered egg noodles for a heartier meal. They also pair nicely with a crunchy veggie tray, coleslaw, potato wedges, or simple slider buns if you want to turn them into little sandwiches for a fun tailgate spread.
Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 (26-ounce) bag frozen fully cooked meatballs
1 (14-ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
1 (18-ounce) bottle barbecue sauce
Directions
1. Add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker.
2. Spoon the cranberry sauce over the meatballs, then pour in the barbecue sauce.
3. Stir gently until the meatballs are evenly coated in the sauce mixture.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, stirring once or twice if convenient, until the meatballs are hot all the way through and the sauce is glossy.
5. Serve warm straight from the slow cooker or transfer to a platter with toothpicks.
Variations & Tips
For a little heat: Stir in a spoonful of chili sauce, a dash of cayenne, or a few red pepper flakes if your crowd likes a sweet-and-spicy bite.
Use the sauce you love: Smoky barbecue sauce gives these a deeper flavor, while a honey barbecue sauce makes them a little sweeter and especially kid-friendly.
Make it homemade-feeling: If you have a few extra minutes, garnish the serving platter with chopped parsley or sliced green onions to brighten up the rich sauce and make the dish look extra special.
Keep them warm for parties: Once the meatballs are fully heated, switch the slow cooker to WARM so guests can help themselves throughout the game or gathering.
Easy meal idea: Leftover meatballs are delicious tucked into toasted hoagie rolls, spooned over rice, or served alongside roasted vegetables for a quick next-day dinner.