Go Back
Quick and Easy Christmas Cranberry Meatballs
Caroline

Quick and Easy Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

These festive cranberry meatballs are sweet, tangy, and perfect for parties. Using frozen meatballs and a quick stovetop cranberry-chili sauce, this holiday appetizer comes together fast with big seasonal flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can (14 oz) jellied cranberry sauce
  • 1 bottle (12 oz) chili sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 bag (32 oz) frozen pre-cooked meatballs (beef or turkey)
  • chopped parsley or rosemary (optional garnish)

Equipment

  • large skillet or saucepan
  • spoon or spatula
  • Serving bowl or slow cooker

Method
 

  1. In a large skillet or saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Heat over medium until smooth, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add frozen meatballs and stir to coat. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 15–20 minutes, until heated through.
  3. Transfer to a serving bowl or slow cooker. Garnish with parsley or rosemary if desired.

Notes

  • No need to thaw frozen meatballs; add them directly to the sauce.
  • For a flavor twist, add Dijon mustard or a splash of orange juice.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors meld.
  • Keep warm in a slow cooker during parties for effortless serving.