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Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs

Sweet, spicy, and addictive. Tender meatballs glazed in a sticky cranberry jalapeño sauce. Perfect for parties.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 20 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cranberry meatballs, holiday appetizer, jalapeño meatballs, party appetizer, slow cooker meatballs, sweet and spicy meatballs
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 185kcal

Equipment

  • Slow cooker or 9x13 baking dish
  • Large skillet
  • Baking sheet
  • Large mixing bowl

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

  • 1.5 lbs ground beef 80/20
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1/4 cup onion finely grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

For the Sauce

  • 1 can (14 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 bottle (12 oz) chili sauce such as Heinz
  • 2-3 jalapeños thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

Make the Meatballs

  • Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, grated onion, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
  • With slightly wet hands, roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. You should get approximately 40-45 meatballs. Place on a baking sheet.
  • Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, about 4-5 minutes per batch, turning to brown all sides. Transfer to a plate.

Make the Sauce

  • Combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, sliced jalapeños, brown sugar, soy sauce, and minced garlic in the slow cooker insert or a medium saucepan. Stir until the brown sugar dissolves and everything is combined.

Cook

  • Slow Cooker Method: Add the browned meatballs to the sauce. Stir gently to coat. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 1.5-2 hours until meatballs are cooked through.
  • Oven Method: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange meatballs in a 9x13 baking dish. Pour sauce over top. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10-15 more minutes until sauce is bubbling.

Serve

  • Stir gently to coat meatballs evenly in sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm with toothpicks. Garnish with fresh cilantro or sliced green onions if desired.

Notes

See full post for detailed tips, substitutions, variations, and storage instructions.

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 480mg | Potassium: 210mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 2mg