These Cranberry Meatballs are super easy and delicious! They make the perfect holiday party appetizers. This recipe includes slow cooker instructions, Instant Pot instructions, and Ninja Foodi instructions
This recipe was first posted on November 27, 2017. It has been updated as of December 2, 2021 with new photos, step-by-step cooking instructions and photos for the Instant Pot, and more helpful cooking tips.
Throwing a holiday party this season? This Cranberry Meatballs recipe makes one of my FAVORITE party appetizers!
I actually make these meatballs year round, but it's during the fall and winter when cranberries are in season that this appetizer really shines. It's such a fun and festive addition to any Christmas menu and go great with other holiday dishes like Garlic Rosemary Roasted Glazed Carrots and Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
Jump to:
- 🌟 What makes these meatballs special?
- 🧈 Ingredient notes
- ✅ Step-by-Step instructions
- 🥘 How to make this cranberry meatballs in a slow cooker
- 👩🏻🍳 Cranberry meatball recipe FAQs
- ⏲ Kitchen Tools and Equipment
- 🍽 What to serve with cranberry meatballs
- 🍷Wine pairings for meatballs
- More Holiday Recipes
- Cranberry Meatballs
🌟 What makes these meatballs special?
Great party dish Meatball recipes like this one – and like my Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Meatballs and Meatballs with Romesco Sauce – are perfect for parties for so many reasons:
- It's a great party dish - it's easy to make ahead of time. And you can keep them warm in a slow cooker, or in an Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi on Keep Warm mode.
- They're also easy for people to eat while mingling. No forks or knives required! I serve these either with toothpicks or food picks to make it convenient for guests to pick up and mingle while eating.
- This recipe calls for ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. In fact, since we started making these, we always have the ingredients on hand! It's easy, thanks to frozen meatballs and frozen cranberries.
🧈 Ingredient notes
Cranberries - You can use fresh or frozen. The timing is the same as long as you use the same amount.
Sugar + water - Use granulated sugar with water to mix with the cranberries as the berries cook up and soften.
Lemon Juice - a bit of acidity helps balance the flavors of this recipe.
Brown Sugar - You'll add light brown sugar to the barbecue sauce before pressure cooking.
Barbecue Sauce - start with a half cup of your favorite BBQ sauce or your own homemade BBQ sauce. If you find the meatballs need more sauce, go ahead and add more and mix with the other ingredients to combine well.
Pre-cooked Frozen Meatballs - I always have a stash of pre-cooked frozen meatballs in my freezer. These make for fast and easy dinners or snacks for last-minute guests!
✅ Step-by-Step instructions
Whether you are using an Instant Pot or the Ninja Foodi, the ingredients and instructions are pretty much the same.
Be sure to read through these helpful instructions before you start. Then print out the printable recipe card with full ingredient measurements and instructions below.
- Turn your Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi to Sauté. Add the water and sugar, and gently stir until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Then add the cranberries and lemon juice. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, just until the cranberries "pop" and the sauce is slightly thickened. Turn off the Sauté mode.
3. Stir in the barbecue sauce and brown sugar until fully combined. Pour in the frozen meatballs and stir to coat in the sauce.
4. Secure the lid (use the Pressure Lid if using a Ninja Foodi) and make sure the pressure valve is in the SEAL position. Select Pressure Cook/Manual, and set the time to 5 minutes.
5. The Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi will take a few minutes (anywhere from 6 to 15 minutes) to come to pressure. Once it starts pressure cooking it will count down from 5 minutes.
6. When pressure cooking is complete, use a wooden spoon to safely and carefully move the pressure release valve over to VENT for a Quick Release.
7. When the pressure release valve pin has gone down indicating that all pressure has been released, carefully open the lid, stir the meatballs, and serve.
🥘 How to make this cranberry meatballs in a slow cooker
1. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine cranberries, water, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring to a low boil, lower heat to medium, and cook until the cranberries have "popped" and create a beautiful sauce. This takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Once the cranberry sauce is ready, stir in the brown sugar. Add the meatballs to the slow cooker, and pour the sauce over the meatballs.
3. Slow cook on low for 4-5 hours, or high for 2 hours.
👩🏻🍳 Cranberry meatball recipe FAQs
Yes! In fact, the recipe is written specifically for using frozen meatballs that do not need to be thawed before cooking.
Absolutely. Once you've made the meatballs, simply add them in as you would frozen meatballs. The pressure cooking time should remain about the same, but you may need to add on a few minutes depending on the size and ingredients of your homemade meatballs.
Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or, store in freezer-safe airtight containers in the freezer for up to two months.
In addition to cranberry meatballs, the cranberry sauce in this recipe is awesome on its own. You could serve it over turkey breast, use it in turkey and cream cheese sandwiches, or pour it over baked brie in puff pastry.
⏲ Kitchen Tools and Equipment
You can make this recipe either in an electric pressure cooker, a slow cooker, or on the stovetop!
Pressure cooker - To make it in an electric pressure cooker, you'll need either an Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi. I love my Ninja Foodi! I have the Foodi 8-Quart 9-in-1 Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker.
Slow Cooker - I love my CrockPot MyTime Slow Cooker, and have used it to make this cranberry meatballs recipe with much success!
🍽 What to serve with cranberry meatballs
This cranberry meatballs recipe is perfect for make for parties, but it's also great to serve as a main course for any family dinner.
For parties, consider serving it alongside other yummy party appetizers:
For a family dinner, make this to go along with:
- Instant Pot Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
- Crockpot Turkey Tetrazzini
- Garlic Parmesan Knots
- Simple Fruit Salad
- Avocado Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Corn
🍷Wine pairings for meatballs
These delectable party appetizers pair well with a bright, light red wine that can balance the richness with some acidity. Go for a Gamay or a Pinot Noir when pairing wine with meatballs.
More Holiday Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Cranberry Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 cups cranberries
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 (1.5 lb) package pre-cooked frozen meatballs approximately 24 to 28 meatballs
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot to Sauté. Add the water and sugar and gently stir until the sugar has dissolved. Then add the cranberries and lemon juice. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, just until the cranberries "pop" and the sauce is slightly thickened. Turn off the Sauté mode.
- Stir in the barbecue sauce and brown sugar until fully combined. Pour in the frozen meatballs and stir to coat in the sauce.Secure the lid and make sure the pressure valve is in Seal.
- Select Pressure Cook/Manual, and set the time to 5 minutes.The Instant Pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure. Once it starts cooking it will count down from 5 minutes. Quick release the valve (use a wooden spoon to safely switch the valve over). Once the pin has gone down, carefully open the lid, stir the meatballs, and serve.
Ninja Foodi Instructions
- Using your Ninja Foodi, select Sauté, set to HI, and select Start/Stop to begin. Pour in the water and sugar and gently stir until the sugar has dissolved. Then add the cranberries and lemon juice. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, just until the cranberries "pop" and the sauce is slightly thickened. Select Start/Stop to end the Sauté mode.
- Stir in the barbecue sauce and brown sugar until fully combined. Pour in the frozen meatballs and stir to coat in the sauce.
- Assemble the pressure lid and make sure the pressure release valve is in the Seal position. Select Pressure Cook and set the time to 5 minutes. Select Start/Stop to beginThe Ninja Foodi will take approximately 10 minutes to come to pressure. Once it starts cooking it will count down from 5 minutes. Once it's done, quick release the pressure release valve (use a wooden spoon to safely switch the valve over). Once the pin has gone down, carefully open the lid, stir the meatballs, and serve.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- In a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to a low boil. When sugar dissolved, slowly add cranberries and lemon juice. Boil until cranberries "pop" and become soft. Lower heat and simmer about 5-7 minutes, until most of the cranberries have popped and the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and add barbecue sauce and brown sugar. Stir well to combine.
- Add entire package of frozen meatballs to a slow cooker (no need to thaw). Pour cranberry sauce over meatballs.
- Slow cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
Lisa says
So festive and a delicious party appetizer!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
Love all the ingrea dients, can’t wait to try this! It looks so delicious and easy!
Claudia Lamascolo says
I have made these several times and they are a huge hit in our family delicious love the sweet and tang perfect combo great recipe
Skylar917 says
wow these looks so delish , i so love your recipe, i will def be making these , i am drooling now.these look so delicious and fun to make. I will have to make these for a nice Cold summertime treat! Thanks for sharing.
Trudy says
These look delicious. Can they be served cold?
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
They can, but I find them tastier served either warm or at room temperature.
Lynne says
These look wonderful! I would like to try them with a large bag of the small cocktail size meatballs instead of the regular size. Would the amount for the sauce be the same or should it be doubled.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Lynne! The sauce is enough for a 22-ounce bag of cocktail meatballs, so I would check the size of the bag that you purchase and adjust the sauce accordingly (double the sauce if the bag is a 40+ ounce bag). Let me know how it goes!
Marianne says
These looks absolutely delicious, I am definitely trying them this holiday season. And I LOVE the presentation with the little forks - super cute! Thanks for sharing!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
I can't resist the cute little forks :) Thanks, Marianne!
Sharon says
Yum and yum! I love meatballs for appetizers, especially with a sweet sauce. I gotta try this recipe out for my work Christmas party!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
If you do try it, I'd love to know how it goes! Thanks, Sharon!
Joanna Clute says
I don't think I've ever had meatballs like this before. They sound AND look divine!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hope you get to try them sometime. Thanks, Joanna!
Joanie @ One Dish Kitchen says
What a beautiful party table! The meatballs look incredible and perfect for a party.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks so much, Joanie!
Calandra Yvonn Arrington says
Can I use can cranberry sauce?
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Calandra - I've never used canned cranberry sauce so I can't say for sure how these will taste if you use it, but if you do, please let me know how they turn out! Someone else may be wondering the same :) Thank you for trying the recipe!
Ron Thomson says
Couldn't get whole cranberries "at this time of the year", so substituted 14oz can of whole cranberry sauce. Used 18oz bottle of Sweet Baby Rays Hickory and Brown Sugar BBQ sauce. Skipped all the misc ingredients since included in the can/bottle. Just enough water to clean the containers for recycling. Was asked for recipe...
Mary says
Your table spread looks so delicious! I love to serve appetizer meatballs they are always the first menu item gone.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
These do go fast at parties :) Thanks for the kind comment, Mary!
Create/Enjoy says
What a gorgeous party spread! And how yummy, I love cranberries in holiday foods!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Cranberries are so great around the holidays, aren't they? Thanks so much!
Kate | The Organized Dream says
This recipe sounds really awesome. I love the way you've displayed them as an appetizer....however, I think that I would eat them all so this may not be a great idea if I'm around! ;)
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
LOL they are tempting! :) Thanks, Kate!
Marianne says
If you use homemade meatballs, do you know if they can go in the slow cooker, if so, for how long?
Thank you!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Marianne - I haven't tried it with this particular recipe, but I've made other slow cooker meatball recipes with homemade meatballs and kept the cooking time about the same. Let me know how it goes!
meagen says
oh my! these look delicious! i think i am going to make them for an appetizer party coming up - and those mini forks! adorbs!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thank you, Meagen! Let me know how you like them! :)
Melissa Chee says
Those meatballs looks absolutely delicious!!! YUM
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks so much, Melissa!