Description
This Cranberry Orange Meatballs recipe features frozen Swedish or Italian meatballs simmered in a tangy-sweet sauce made from chili sauce, whole-berry cranberry sauce, and fresh orange juice. Slow-cooked to tender perfection in a crockpot, these meatballs are perfect for parties, potlucks, or cozy family dinners. The combination of cranberry and orange offers a vibrant and festive flavor that pairs beautifully with the savory meatballs.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 28 ounce bag frozen Swedish or Italian meatballs
Sauce
- 12 ounce bottle chili sauce
- 14 ounce can whole-berry cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup orange juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Crockpot: Place the frozen meatballs into the crockpot, spreading them out evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- Add Sauces: Pour the chili sauce and whole-berry cranberry sauce over the meatballs in the crockpot.
- Incorporate Orange Juice: Pour the orange juice into the empty chili sauce bottle, shake well to loosen remaining chili sauce, then pour this mixture into the crockpot. Stir everything together gently to coat the meatballs thoroughly with the sauce blend.
- Cook the Meatballs: Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 2 hours, or until the meatballs are heated through and tender.
- Keep Warm and Serve: Once cooked, reduce the heat to low to keep the meatballs warm. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking before serving.
Notes
- You can use either Swedish or Italian style meatballs based on preference.
- If you don’t have fresh orange juice, bottled orange juice works fine, but fresh adds better flavor.
- Stir the meatballs occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking to the crockpot bottom.
- For a thicker sauce, cook uncovered for the last 20 minutes.
- This recipe is ideal for make-ahead cooking and stays flavorful for hours kept warm in the crockpot.
