Crock Pot Beef Cocktail Meatballs

This Crock Pot Beef Cocktail Meatballs recipe is a sweet and tangy party favorite, which uses lean ground beef and cranberry chili sauce. It’s a great choice for holiday parties, ready in about 4 hours and 10 minutes.

Crock Pot Beef Cocktail Meatballs Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ½ cup bread crumbs
• 3 tablespoons minced onion
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 large egg
• 1 (8-ounce) can jellied cranberry sauce
• ¾ cup chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1½ teaspoons lemon juice

How To Make Crock Pot Beef Cocktail Meatballs

1. Prepare the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, water, and egg. Roll into small 1 to 1½-inch meatballs.
2. Brown the meatballs (optional): For firmer meatballs, brown in a skillet for 3–5 minutes or bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes.
3. Make the sauce: In a small saucepan (or directly in the slow cooker), stir together cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice over low heat until smooth.
4. Slow cook: Spread a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of the crock pot. Add meatballs and pour remaining sauce over top. Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 1½–2 hours. Stir gently halfway through.
5. Serve: Keep warm in the crock pot and serve as appetizers, party snacks, or over rice.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use frozen meatballs? Yes, just skip the mixing step and cook frozen meatballs directly in the sauce.
• How to keep meatballs from falling apart: Browning them first helps hold their shape and adds flavor.
• Can I make this ahead? Yes, prepare the meatballs and sauce up to a day in advance and refrigerate until ready to cook.
• Can I double the recipe? Yes, just make sure your slow cooker can handle the volume and stir occasionally.
• How to make it spicier: Add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the sauce.

What To Serve With Cocktail Meatballs

These meatballs are great for entertaining or a cozy dinner:

• Toothpicks for serving at parties
• Over white rice or noodles
• Alongside mashed potatoes
• With slider buns for mini sandwiches
• On a party platter with pickles and cheese

How To Store Cocktail Meatballs

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze cooked meatballs and sauce together for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat: Warm in a saucepan over low heat or microwave until heated through.

Cocktail Meatballs Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 193
• Total Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 53mg
• Sodium: 85mg
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 10g
• Protein: 10g
• Potassium: 183mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I bake these instead of using a slow cooker?
Yes, bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes in a covered dish with sauce.

What kind of chili sauce should I use?
Use a classic tomato-based chili sauce like Heinz.

Are these sweet or savory?
They have a balanced sweet and tangy flavor—great for party appetizers.

Can I use turkey instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey works well, but you may need to reduce the cooking time slightly.

How do I prevent the sauce from burning?
Stir halfway through cooking and keep the heat on LOW if cooking longer.

Try More Recipes:

• Crock Pot Beef Bulgogi
• Crock Pot Beef Drip Sandwiches
• Crock Pot Cabbage Beef Soup