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Christmas Meatballs: Cranberry and Orange Slow Cooker Meatballs

Published: Dec 18, 2024 Modified: Mar 9, 2025 ·by Amber Bogardus / This post may contain affiliate links.

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These Christmas Meatballs are so simple to prepare for the holidays! Swimming in a spiced cranberry and orange sauce, they are perfectly festive for your holiday spread! And there's virtually no "cooking" for this simple recipe, just set it and forget it!

It's a non-negotiable to have a mini crockpot of either meatballs or mini smokies on our counter for every holiday, so I love to get creative with sauce flavors. Cranberry, orange, brown sugar, and cinnamon are a merry combination of flavors for this seasonal treat!

What ingredients are needed to prepare Christmas Meatballs?

  • 1 lb Frozen Meatballs
  • 1 14.5 oz can Jellied Cranberry Sauce
  • 2 Oranges, juiced and zested
  • 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • Dash of Kosher Salt

Is there any equipment necessary?

  • I recommend a small crock pot for this!

How to Prepare Christmas Meatballs?

  1. In the base of your slow cooker, combine the cranberry sauce, orange zest, juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine.
  2. Pour in the frozen meatballs, stir to coat completely in the sauce and cook on LOW for 4 - 6 hours or HIGH for 2 - 3 hours. Switch crock pot to warm for your event.
  3. How to Prepare Christmas Meatballs on the Stove:
  4. Prepare the frozen meatballs as directed on the package, I recommend baking in the oven.
  5. Then combine the cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and dash of salt in a pot and warm over medium high heat until warm, bubbly and slightly reduced (about 10 minutes). Pour over meatballs and garnish with orange zest.

Storage:

Store the Christmas Meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

I do not recommend reheating the meatballs in a crockpot. Reheat them quickly in the microwave or on the stove and then transfer them to a crockpot on the "keep warm" setting.

Looking for other recipes for entertaining this Christmas?

To grab everything in one go, subscribe to A Toasted Crumb to download the FULL 'So You're Having a Christmas Party' E-Book for FREE! It's packed full of 12 entertaining recipes for all of your holiday gatherings!

But if you're just looking for more Christmas Appetizers, I recommend these others from the blog!

  • Cream Cheese and Pepper Jelly Danish
  • Whipped Feta and Cranberry Crostini
  • Mini Mac and Cheese Bites

I hope you loved my Christmas Meatballs recipe! If you try it, be sure to leave a comment or tag me @atoastedcrumb on all socials! I’d love to see your work!

Christmas Meatballs: Cranberry and Orange Crockpot Meatballs

Swimming in a spiced cranberry and orange sauce, these easy party meatballs are perfect for your Christmas party! And there's virtually no u0022cookingu0022 for this simple recipe, just set it and forget it!
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Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 hours hrs
Total Time 3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course Appetizers, Recipe Index, Snacks
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Frozen Meatballs
  • 1 can Jellied Cranberry Sauce
  • 2 Oranges, juiced and zested
  • 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • Dash Kosher Salt

Instructions
 

Slow Cooker Method

  • In the base of your slow cooker, combine the cranberry sauce, orange zest, juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine.
  • Pour in the frozen meatballs, stir to coat completely in the sauce and cook on LOW for 4 - 6 hours or HIGH for 2 - 3 hours. Switch slow cooker to warm for your event.

How to Prepare Christmas Meatballs on the Stove

  • Prepare the frozen meatballs as directed on the package, I recommend baking in the oven.
  • Then combine the cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and dash of salt in a pot and warm over medium high heat until warm, bubbly and slightly reduced (about 10 minutes). Pour over meatballs and garnish with orange zest.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was in the comments!
Share the love!Mention @atoastedcrumb or tag #atoastedcrumb!

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Welcome!

Hi! I'm Amber! I'm a Dallas, TX based food blogger specializing in family recipes, entertaining tips, and fresh eats!

A Toasted Crumb is a place for foodies to connect, hone in on their cooking skills, and learn more about the flavors they love!

Have fun!

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