These cranberry turkey meatballs are so easy to make! A delicious savory cocktail meatball for appetizers, snacks, or party food.
We always have cranberry sauce at our Thanksgiving dinners. We make it in advance because everyone wants it, dish it up in the fancy glass bowl for dinner, and end up putting everything but 1-2 bites back in the refrigerator after dinner! Now what do we do with it? Enter these easy cocktail meatballs with cranberry sauce and brandy!
Ingredients
Did we say easy? WE. MEAN. EASY! Three ingredients plus water and you are ready for a delicious appetizer.
- Frozen, pre-cooked turkey meatballs - also works great with ground beef or chicken meatballs.
- Cranberry sauce - a great use for leftover cranberry sauce.
- Brandy - brings a nice depth of flavor and blends great with the cranberries.
We used this Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce from our friends at Life As A Strawberry (so easy)! We like using a whole cranberry sauce, but a jellied cranberry sauce will also work. Use your meatballs, store bought or homemade. We usually use E&J V.S. brandy, but use whatever you have and like to drink.
Additions and Substitutions
We like the simplicity and ease of these cocktail meatballs, but make them your own.
- Brandy. While brandy is a staple in our pantry, this recipe can be made without it. Use a splash of whiskey, sherry, or beer. Use apple juice, white grape juice, or water for an alcohol free version.
- Meatballs. We like these with turkey meatballs - keep the holidays going with a turkey dish! This cocktail meatball recipe is also great with ground beef or chicken meatballs.
- Cranberry sauce. If the cranberry sauce is too sweet add a splash of lemon or lime juice or red wine vinegar. The acid in the citrus and vinegar will help reduce the sweetness in the cranberry sauce. Let the sauce heat for a few minutes, taste and add a little more if it is still too sweet.
- Spice it up. Add some fresh diced peppers; jalapeño, serrano, or anaheim. Extra credit for roasting them before dicing! Make these into spicy cranberry meatballs by adding some spicy chili sauce or hot sauce.
Crockpot vs. Stovetop
We made these cranberry cocktail meatballs in a crockpot and on the stovetop. Both work great, but we like the crockpot a little better. By cooking the cocktail meatballs longer and slower, even though they are already cooked, it allows the flavors to really blend and mellow. PLUS, so easy to put it on and forget it for an hour or two!
When making this on the stovetop, heat the meatballs and sauce on low heat, stir frequently, and monitor the liquid. Add more water as needed to keep the sauce from becoming too thick or burning.
Make Ahead and Time Saver Tips
These are a great make ahead appetizer, goes together in just minutes, and can sit on low in the crockpot for hours. Just keep an eye it and add more water if they start to dry out.
If making your own meatballs, make them, cook them, and store them ahead of time. No time to make your own or ran out? Use a frozen, pre-cooked meatball. There are many good brands out and most stores now carry turkey meatballs. These cranberry cocktail meatballs are also great with beef or chicken meatballs.
Make homemade cranberry sauce ahead of time and freeze or refrigerate according to the recipe directions. No time to make your own? Use a store bought sauce instead. We like using a whole cranberry sauce, but a jellied cranberry sauce will also work.
Equipment
We like making these in a crockpot. They can be served right in the crockpot for casual events. This will help them stay at a food safe temperature for a longer party! If you want a more formal serving, transfer them to a chafing dish or even a fondue pot for serving.
We like serving them with cocktail picks on the side.
Picks. We do not recommend using colored toothpicks as the color can come off on the food. We like to use a reusable toothpick, but recognize if you are hosting a large party this may not be feasible. For large parties use a decorative toothpick when possible - like a bamboo knotted toothpick. These are found at most party stores, some grocery stores, or restaurant supply stores. Here are a few of our favorite pick sources.
- Wooden toothpicks - Least expensive and easy to get
- Knotted bamboo toothpicks - Inexpensive and easy to get at many locations
- Bamboo w/’pearl’ - Step up from basic pick and available at Amazon
- Metal cocktail pick - Most expensive option but reusable!
Other Favorite Cocktail Meatball Recipes
Cranberry Meatballs FAQ's
Yes. Use apple juice, white grape juice, or water instead of the brandy.
Absolutely! We recommend adding a little more water, cooking on very low heat so they can cook longer and the flavors will blend more. Keep an eye on the pan and if it starts looking dry or too thick, add a little more water and stir.
Cranberry Turkey Meatballs
- Total Time: 40 minute
- Yield: 45-50 meatballs 1x
Description
It doesn’t get much easier than these Cranberry Turkey Meatballs. Make and serve in the crockpot! Use homemade or store bought meatballs and cranberry sauce. A great way to use up that Thanksgiving cranberry sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds turkey meatballs, cooked
- 1 ½ cup cranberry sauce (leftover is great!)
- ⅓ cup brandy
- ¼ - ½ cup water, depending on how thick your cranberry sauce is
Instructions
- Add turkey meatballs, cranberry sauce, brandy, and ¼ cup water to a slow cooker.
- Stir until well combined.
- Cook on low for 1-2 hours or until warm, checking periodically. Add additional water if the sauce is too thick or the meatballs appear to be too dry.
- Serve with cocktail picks in a crockpot, chaffing dish, or fondue pot.
Notes
Substitutions and Additions. Instead of brandy use sherry, red wine, or whiskey or use apple juice or water for an alcohol free version. Add some spice with fresh or roasted jalapeno, serrano, or anaheim peppers. A dash or two of a favorite hot sauce is great. If the cranberry sauce is too sweet, add a dash of lemon juice or red wine vinegar.
Crockpot or Stovetop? Both will work. If making on the stovetop, keep on the lowest setting, stir frequently, and add water as needed to keep the cocktail meatballs from drying out and burning.
- Prep Time: 4 minutes
- Inactive Time: 1-2 hours
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 meatballs
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 6.5 g
- Sodium: 189.8 mg
- Fat: 6.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 9.4 g
- Protein: 4.2 g
- Cholesterol: 18.7 mg
Keywords: appetizer, cocktail meatball, leftovers,
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