Sweet & Savory Crockpot Turkey Meatballs in Cranberry Sauce

Get ready for a tasty treat! 🍴 Crockpot turkey meatballs in cranberry sauce are the sweet and savory dinner your whole family will love. Just mix cranberry sauce and BBQ sauce, pour over turkey meatballs, and let your slow cooker do its magic. Serve with broccoli for a quick, cozy meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.

Crockpot turkey meatballs in cranberry sauce served on a white plate with broccoli florets for a balanced, colorful meal.

Ok, I can’t hide it anymore. I am a meatball fanatic. This Crockpot turkey meatballs in cranberry sauce recipe is my third meatball recipe in the past couple of months. It’s clear that I have an obsession…

Can I blame it on my daughter, the meatball queen of the universe, who begs for them at least once a week? How about Max, our dog, whose drool pools on the floor just from smelling them? These two might initiate the meatball frenzy, but they hardly have to twist my arm. These Crockpot turkey meatballs in cranberry sauce are fun because they are made of turkey and have a nice blend of spicy and sweet. And since you make them in the Crockpot, it’s no wonder I resort to meatballs for dinner so often!

Want to know the real reason I made these Crockpot turkey meatballs in cranberry sauce? It was because I had leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving that needed to be used up.

Why You’ll Love Crockpot Turkey Meatballs With Cranberry Sauce

If you’re looking for a dish that’s effortless and full of flavor, Crockpot turkey meatballs with cranberry sauce are a must-try. The combination of sweet, tangy cranberry sauce and savory turkey meatballs makes this recipe a family favorite, whether it’s for a cozy dinner or a festive party.

Step 1: Heat the Cranberry Sauce Mixture

Start by pouring 2 cups of cranberry sauce and 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce into a medium-sized saucepan. Place the pan over medium heat and stir the mixture gently as it warms up. The goal is to combine the two sauces until they form a smooth, velvety texture.

A saucepan filled with cranberry sauce and BBQ sauce mixture for making Crockpot turkey meatballs in cranberry sauce.

If you happen to have some leftover homemade cranberry sauce from a previous holiday meal, this is a great way to use it up. But if not, don’t worry—a 16 oz can of jellied cranberry sauce works perfectly, too. Just make sure to heat it thoroughly so it becomes easy to pour and mix. This step adds a sweet and tangy base to the meatballs that everyone will love.

A spatula stirring a mixture of cranberry sauce and BBQ sauce in a saucepan, creating the base for Crockpot turkey meatballs in cranberry sauce.

Step 2: Add Turkey Meatballs to the Crockpot

While your sauce is heating, grab a bag of your favorite turkey meatballs and add them to the Crockpot. I like using Armour turkey meatballs because their flavor pairs beautifully with the sauce, but if you prefer, you can try other brands like Great Value from Walmart. Either way, choose a bag that’s around 32 ounces so you’ll have enough to serve a crowd or satisfy your family.

Dump the meatballs straight into the Crockpot. Btw, there’s no need to thaw them if they’re frozen! The slow cooker will take care of everything, making this recipe as easy as it gets.

Frozen turkey meatballs in a Crockpot being covered with the cranberry sauce mixture, ready to cook for Crockpot turkey meatballs in cranberry sauce.

Step 3: Combine Everything in the Slow Cooker

Once your cranberry and BBQ sauce mixture is smooth and ready, carefully pour it over the turkey meatballs in the Crockpot. Use a spoon or spatula to toss and coat the meatballs evenly with the sauce. This ensures every bite is packed with that irresistible sweet and savory flavor.

Set the slow cooker to LOW and let the magic happen for 4 hours. During that time, the meatballs will soak up all the flavors of the sauce while staying perfectly tender. When the time is up, PRESTO CHANGE-O… your Crockpot turkey meatballs in cranberry sauce are ready to serve!

Crockpot turkey meatballs in cranberry sauce served on a plate with fresh broccoli, ready to enjoy as a sweet and savory meal.

How to Serve Your Crockpot Turkey Meatballs in Cranberry Sauce

Most nights, I keep it simple and just serve the Crockpot turkey meatballs in cranberry sauce with a side vegetable like broccoli or 10-minute roasted asparagus. But I think this would be a fun dish to turn into a snazzy appetizer for a Christmas party or potluck. Set them out on WARM in the Crockpot with a tube of toothpicks. I bet they’ll disappear in no time.

For more easy Crockpot meals like 5-ingredient orange chicken and healthy enchilada quinoa, visit my recipe index or follow my Cozy Crockpot Board on Pinterest. Happy Cooking, y’all!

Close-up of Crockpot turkey meatballs in cranberry sauce, garnished with fresh herbs, served with steamed broccoli.
Heidi Davison

Head Baker & Owner

Hi, I'm Heidi, Head Baker and Owner of Heidi's Bakery in Knoxville, TN.

What began as a blog to share family recipes has become a thriving bakery, thanks to community support.
Many recipes here are from my family’s cookbook. Give them a try and leave a comment below!

Heidi Davison the Owner of Heidis Bakery

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