This is my most requested party recipe. If you’re looking for a party meatballs recipe for your Crock Pot or slow cooker, you’ll definitely want to pin this one. People go crazy for these meatballs, and there is never a single one leftover at the end of a party or tailgate. They were even featured in Allrecipes Magazine! I think what surprises people about this sweet chili meatballs recipe is that it’s not made with grape jelly or BBQ sauce like so many other slow cooker meatball recipes out there. Instead, these meatballs are made with Heinz chili sauce and whole berry cranberry sauce. The best thing about this chili and cranberry sauce meatballs recipe (aside from it being delicious) is that it is sooo easy to make, which also makes them an easy slow cooker pot luck recipe idea, too.
Keep reading to see how easy it is to make these sweet chili meatballs, or scroll down to see the full recipe at the bottom of this post.
How to make Crock Pot Party Meatballs
See and print the complete Crock Pot Party Meatballs recipe at the end of this post, but here are some tips for making these delicious chili and cranberry sauce meatballs.
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1 35 oz. bag of frozen, cooked, meatballs
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1 jar of chili sauce (such as Heinz chili sauce)
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1 can of whole berry cranberry sauce
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1 lemon
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Tabasco or Louisiana Brand pepper sauce (to taste)
Start by dumping the bag of meatballs (while they are still frozen) into a Crock Pot or slow cooker.
Next, dump in the entire jar of chili sauce (we prefer Heinz chili sauce for these meatballs) and the entire can of whole berry cranberry sauce.
Squeeze the juice from an entire lemon into the slow cooker along with several drops of hot sauce to get the heat level you prefer. It’s totally up to you if you want the “kick” to be subtle or strong. For hot sauce, we use either Tabasco or Louisiana Brand pepper sauce. Either are delicious with these chili and cranberry sauce meatballs!
Stir it all together so that the ingredients are somewhat consistently distributed, but don’t stress about it, because you’ll be stirring it occasionally while it slow cooks.
Set the slow cooker to high, and let the sweet chili meatballs cook for approximately 3 hours (or until the meatballs are completely thawed and nice and hot), stirring occasionally. Note: depending on how lean (or not lean) your meatballs are, you may have to skim some oil from the top towards the end of the cooking time.
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Crock Pot Party Meatballs
The best party meatballs recipe for your Crock Pot or slow cooker! These super easy sweet chili meatballs are my most requested party recipe, and are made with Heinz chili sauce and cranberry sauce, which makes for an unexpected but incredible flavor combo. People go crazy for these meatballs, and there is never a single one leftover at the end of a party or tailgate. They were even featured in Allrecipes Magazine! The best thing about this recipe (aside from it being delicious) is that it is sooo easy to make!
Ingredients
- 1 35 oz. bag of frozen, cooked, meatballs
- 1 jar of chili sauce
- 1 can of whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 lemon
- Tabasco or Louisiana Brand pepper sauce (to taste)
Instructions
- Dump the bag of meatballs (still frozen) into a Crock Pot or slow cooker.
- Dump in the entire jar of chili sauce and the entire can of cranberry sauce.
- Squeeze the juice from the entire lemon into the slow cooker.
- Add several drops of hot sauce at the heat level you prefer (if you want the “kick” to be subtle or strong).
- Stir it all together so that the ingredients are somewhat consistently distributed.
- Set the slow cooker to high, and let cook for approximately 3 hours (or until meatballs are completely thawed and nice and hot), stirring occasionally. Note: depending on how lean (or not lean) your meatballs are, you may have to skim some oil from the top towards the end of the cooking time.
Danielle Cahill says
I am so excited to try these this weekend for our weekend camping in Santa Barbera! Thanks