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Ultra close-up macro of slow cooker cranberry jalapeno cocktail meatballs with ruby glaze and fresh jalapenos

Slow Cooker Cranberry Jalapeno Meatballs: Party Hit

These sweet and spicy slow cooker cranberry jalapeno meatballs are the ultimate crowd-pleasing party appetizer! Juicy homestyle meatballs simmer in a sticky, ruby-red glaze made from tart cranberry sauce, zesty chili sauce, brown sugar, and fiery fresh jalapenos. Just 5 minutes of dump-and-go prep!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 12 servings (48 meatballs)
Calories: 210
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

Meatballs & Spicy Aromatics
  • 2 lbs frozen cooked meatballs
  • 3 medium jalapenos finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
Sweet & Tangy Cranberry Chili Glaze
  • 1 can (14 oz) jellied cranberry sauce
  • 1 bottle (12 oz) chili sauce
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp orange juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped

Method
 

  1. In a 4-to-6 quart slow cooker or medium mixing bowl, whisk together the jellied cranberry sauce, Heinz chili sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, orange juice, and minced garlic until smooth and well blended.
  1. Stir in the finely diced fresh jalapenos and whole fresh cranberries. Add the frozen meatballs and toss gently with a large wooden spoon until every meatball is evenly coated in the rich ruby sauce.
  1. Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 2.5 hours, until the meatballs are steaming hot and tender all the way through.
  1. Remove the lid for the final 20 minutes of cooking and stir gently. The sauce will bubble down and thicken into a glossy, clingy lacquer that coats each meatball.
  1. Switch slow cooker setting to WARM for easy grazing. Garnish with thinly sliced fresh jalapeno rings and chopped cilantro. Serve warm straight from the slow cooker with bamboo toothpicks or transfer to a decorative serving platter.

Nutrition

Serving: 4gCalories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 11gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 460mgPotassium: 230mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 180IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1.4mg

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