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These Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs are my go-to Christmas appetizer, sweet, tangy, and made with just three ingredients. They’re a revised take on the grape jelly meatballs but still have that known and loved taste and make the easiest holiday party dish you’ll ever make and the kind of recipe that tastes like effort (without actually requiring any).

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you. A few of the images were created with AI tools — because I’m a real mom on a real budget, doing my best to make it all look pretty.

Crockpot filled with cranberry meatballs covered in a glossy red sauce, steaming on a kitchen counter with blurred Christmas lights and greenery in the background. Text overlay reads “Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs – The easiest Christmas appetizer you’ll ever make.”

Every year, I tell myself I’m going to try new recipes, and every year, I come back to these cranberry meatballs. They’re just like the grape jelly meatball recipe that has been around for years but with a yummy holiday twist. They check all the boxes: minimal ingredients, zero stress, and they make your house smell like Christmas magic. You dump everything in the crockpot, give it a stir, and four hours later you look like the mom who has it all together. Spoiler alert: I don’t, but this recipe helps me fake it in the best way possible. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, prepping for a family get-together, or just need something easy for Christmas Eve, this one never fails.

Let’s Talk Ingredients (and My Love for Simple Cooking)

If you’re expecting a long grocery list, you’re about to be very happy. This recipe only calls for three things. There’s no chopping, no pre-cooking, no “what even is that spice?” moments. You can grab everything in one quick grocery run (or better yet, a Walmart pickup order). Dump, stir, walk away. That’s my kind of cooking!

Ingredients

1 (32 oz) bag of frozen meatballs
1 (14 oz) can of jellied cranberry sauce
1 (12 oz) bottle of chili sauce (like Heinz)

Want to make this recipe even easier? I’ve linked my go-to crockpot, liners, and kitchen utensils on my Christmas Recipe Benable List. Everything I actually use in my own kitchen — simple, reliable, and perfect for stress-free holiday cooking.

Instructions

Add everything to the crockpot. Yep, that’s it — frozen meatballs, cranberry sauce, and chili sauce all go in together.
Stir until the sauces are combined. It won’t look fancy yet, but trust the process.
Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours. Stir halfway through if you’re around.
Serve warm — straight from the crockpot if you’re going for low-maintenance (no judgment here).

Notes

Shortcut tip: Use crockpot liners if you hate scrubbing dishes (I do).
Hosting hack: Keep these on the “warm” setting during parties so guests can snack all evening.
Flavor boost: Add a splash of orange juice or a pinch of cayenne if you want to get fancy — I usually don’t.
Shop my favorites: You can find my go-to crockpot, liners, and kitchen tools on my Christmas Recipe Benable List. It’s everything I actually use to keep holiday cooking simple and cleanup easy.

Final Takes

If you try these Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs, set some aside right away for yourself, they’ll disappear FAST once they hit the table.

They’re sweet, tangy, and the easiest Christmas appetizer you’ll ever throw together. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just need something simple for your family movie night, this one’s a keeper.

Be sure to save this recipe on Pinterest — and keep an eye out for the rest of my Christmas recipes coming soon. Because if it’s not easy, cozy, and crockpot-approved, it’s not making my holiday menu.