Quick and Easy Cranberry Meatballs
Quick and Easy Cranberry Meatballs are tender turkey meatballs coated in a sweet and tangy cranberry chili sauce with brown sugar and lemon juice.
Print
Pin
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 2 lb pre-cooked turkey meatballs
- 1 bottle chili sauce 12 oz
- 1 can jellied cranberry sauce 14 oz
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
Stovetop Instructions
- Place a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the chili sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice to the saucepan.
- Stir the mixture continuously until the cranberry sauce melts and the ingredients are fully combined.
- Continue heating until the sauce becomes smooth and evenly blended.
- Add the pre-cooked turkey meatballs to the saucepan.
- Stir gently to coat the meatballs evenly with the cranberry chili sauce.
- Continue cooking over medium heat until the meatballs are fully heated through.
- Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Remove from heat once the meatballs are hot and the sauce is glossy.
- Serve warm.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Add the chili sauce, jellied cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice to the insert of a slow cooker.
- Use a wooden spoon to break up the cranberry sauce.
- Stir until the sauce ingredients are partially combined.
- Add the pre-cooked turkey meatballs to the slow cooker.
- Stir gently until the meatballs are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
- Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or until the sauce is smooth and the meatballs are heated through.
- Stir occasionally, if needed, to ensure the meatballs remain evenly coated.
- Once fully heated, switch the slow cooker to the warm setting, if available.
- Serve warm directly from the slow cooker or transfer to a serving dish.
Notes
To make these Quick and Easy Cranberry Meatballs gluten free, use certified gluten-free turkey meatballs.
Check the chili sauce label carefully, as some bottled sauces may contain gluten-based thickeners, malt vinegar, or cross-contact warnings.
Use cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice that are labeled gluten free or verified to contain no gluten ingredients.
Prepare the recipe with clean utensils, pans, slow cooker inserts, and serving dishes to prevent gluten cross-contact.
If serving as a meal, pair with gluten-free sides such as rice, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or gluten-free rolls.