🎄 Easy Made Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.9 from busy hosts and appetizer lovers)
🍒 Festive | 🍽 Crowd-Pleasing | ✨ Ready in Minutes
These Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are the kind of holiday appetizer that disappears before the party even starts. Juicy meatballs simmered in a glossy, sweet-tangy cranberry glaze—everyone loves them, and you get to enjoy an effortless recipe that looks and tastes like a festive masterpiece.

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 20 minutes
🍽 Serves: 6–8 as an appetizer
💰 Budget-Friendly
🎄 Flavor: Sweet, tart, savory, and addictive
💡 Perfect For: Holiday parties, potlucks, last-minute appetizers

Ingredients – Simple & Festive

1 (32 oz) bag frozen meatballs (homestyle or turkey)
Optional garnish: chopped parsley or orange zest
1 cup barbecue sauce (smoky or sweet works great)
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
1 (14 oz) can whole berry cranberry sauce

How to Make Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

Step 1: Make the Cranberry Glaze
In a large pot or skillet, whisk together cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder over medium heat.

Step 2: Add the Meatballs
Stir in the frozen meatballs, coating them well in the sauce.

Step 3: Simmer Until Perfectly Glazed
Cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are heated through and the sauce thickens into a sticky, shiny glaze.

Slow Cooker Option:
Add all ingredients to a slow cooker and heat on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 1.5–2 hours.

How to Serve Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

Serve with toothpicks for holiday parties
Pile over mashed potatoes for a quick dinner
Add orange zest for a bright festive twist
Enjoy warm straight from the pot—no judgment!

What Everyone’s Saying

“Made these for a holiday potluck—they were GONE in 10 minutes!”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Rachel M.
“The perfect blend of sweet and savory. So easy, too!”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Tom S.
“New holiday tradition. Even my picky kids loved them!”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Leah K.

Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs – Sweet, Tangy, Festive, and Ready Fast

These Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are the easiest holiday appetizer ever. Juicy meatballs simmer in a sweet-tangy cranberry BBQ sauce that tastes like you spent hours on it. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or last-minute holiday snacking.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Calories: 320

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 32 oz bag frozen meatballs
• 1 14 oz can jellied cranberry sauce
• 1 cup barbecue sauce sweet or smoky
• 2 tbsp brown sugar optional, for extra sweetness
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt & pepper to taste

Equipment

• Large pot, skillet, or slow cooker
• Wooden spoon

Method

 

Make the Sauce

1. In a large pot or skillet, combine cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and garlic powder. Heat over medium until smooth.

Add Meatballs

1. Stir in frozen meatballs and coat them well in the sauce.

Simmer

1. Cover and cook 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are heated through and sauce is glossy.

Serve

1. Keep warm in a slow cooker if serving for a party. Add toothpicks and you’re good to go.

Notes

Slow cooker method: Combine everything and cook on LOW 3 hours.

Want it spicy? Add 1–2 tbsp hot sauce or crushed red pepper.

Cranberry swap: You can use whole berry cranberry sauce for extra texture.

FAQ – Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

These Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs bring holiday cheer to every bite—easy, festive, and guaranteed to become a yearly favorite!

If you love the tangy-sweet holiday flavors in these Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs, don’t miss this twist on the classic: Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Meatballs