Sweet and Spicy Meatballs are the perfect combination of savory, sweet and spicy. This appetizer is perfect for game day or any party.
This recipe is perfect if you love meatballs. These easy and delicious, little spicy, cocktail meatballs are always a family favorite.
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About Meatballs with Cranberry Sauce
Meatballs with cranberry sauce might sound a little weird, but they’re absolutely delicious. Cranberries are tart when they’re raw but when they’ve been cooked and sweetened a little, they’re incredible – making them great with sweet and spicy sauce meatballs.
Why This Sweet and Spicy Meatballs Recipe is a Keeper
We love this recipe because it’s easy and a great recipe for feeding a crowd.
- 5 Minute Prep: This recipe only requires 5 minutes of prep before letting the slow cooker take over!
- Easy Ingredients: You only need 7 easy ingredients for these yummy cranberry meatballs.
- Family Loved: These meatballs and sauce are always a hit. Everyone loved these meatballs when I brought them.
- One Dish: This recipe makes for an easy clean up you do everything in the slow cooker dish or instant pot.
- Makes Great Leftovers: These cooked meatballs are the perfect appetizer or party food. Make ahead for a party and reheat the day after.
If you’re looking for more meatball recipes, try these Taco Stuffed Meatballs, Breakfast Meatballs and Meatballs and Gravy
How many meatballs should you plan per person?
If I’m feeding my house or bringing it to a party where there will be other snacks, I like to make one whole bag of frozen meatballs from costco. One bag usually does it for me! Meatballs are great for a crowd.
Crock Pot Meatballs Ingredient Notes
- Grape Jelly: To easily transform your regular chili sauce into a sweet chili sauce, use some jelly!
- Meatballs: The best meatballs are made at home. Homemade meatball ingredients include a meat mixture, breadcrumbs and spices.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions
- Different Meatballs: You can make this easy recipe using other meatballs such as turkey meatballs. Even make a cauliflower recipe with a vegan meatball.
- Cranberry: Use fresh cranberry sauce in place of grape jelly to make cranberry meatballs.
- Different Sauce: Maybe you’re not a fan of sweet and spicy chili sauce, go ahead and add the meatballs to your favorite bbq sauce that is a bit spicy.
- Dutch Oven: Mix up everything in a large mixing bowl and the cook on the stove top in a Dutch oven and You’re ready.
Special Equipment Needed for the Spicy Party Meatballs
- Slow Cooker: A slow cooker is best for this recipe, but you can also make it in the air fryer
How to Make Sweet Slow Cooker Meatballs
These spicy party meatballs are the best in the crock pot are super easy to make. You only need to follow these 3 simple steps.
These are the basic steps for making Cranberry Sweet and Spicy Meatballs. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
STEP 1: Brown Meatballs (Optional)
If you would like, you can start by browning your meatballs on all sides. Place meatballs to a skillet over medium high heat with some olive oil.
Place the meatballs or add the frozen meatballs in the crockpot.
STEP 2: Add the Sauce Ingredients
Add the chili sauce and grape jelly into the crock pot. Then, add brown sugar, garlic powder and orange juice to make the sauce. Warm up the sauce and then add meatballs into sauce and stir to coat them in the sauce and make sure that all the meatballs are completely covered in the sauce mixture.
STEP 3: Cook the Delicious Recipe
Stir the meatballs and let cook. Put the lid on the slow cooker. If you are cooking on HIGH, they will be ready in 2 to 3 hours.
If you want to let them cook on LOW, they will be ready in 4 to 6 hours.
Meatballs in the Crockpot Recipe FAQs
Expert Tips for Making This Grape Jelly Meatballs in Chilli Sauce Recipe
- Cornstarch: Add cornstarch slurry if your sauce is too thin.
- Doubled The Recipe: Meatballs are great for your next party, but you might want to double the recipe. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and cook for an additional 1 hour.
- Extra Sauce: Make a little extra sauce for leftover meatballs. Add the mixture over the meatballs and then freeze or place in the fridge. It will also help the meatballs when reheating.
- Main Dish: To make this a complete and balanced meal, serve with white or brown rice and your favorite veggies, like broccoli or green beans.
- Delicious Meatball Subs: Serve slow cooker sweet chili meatballs on fresh subs rolls or French bread along with really spicy mayo and Japanese Coleslaw.
- Storage: This meatball recipe is so easy to store. Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat meatballs in crock pot for 1-2 hours or microwave for 2-3 minutes until hot. Cook frozen meatballs and toss to coat them in the wonderful sauce.
What to Serve with Sweet Chili Meatballs
Cranberry Sweet and Spicy Meatballs
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Ingredients
- 22 ounces Frozen Homestyle meatballs
- 12 ounces chili sauce – any brand
- 1 cup grape jelly
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup orange juice
- Green onions – garnish, optional
Instructions
- Optional Step: If you would like you can start by browning your meatballs on all sides in a skillet over medium high heat along with some olive oil.
- Start by adding the frozen meatballs into the crock pot.
- For the sweet chili sauce you will first add the chili sauce along with grape jelly.
- Next add brown sugar, garlic powder, and orange juice. Stir together until evenly combined and make sure that all the meatballs are completely covered.
- Put the lid on the slow cooker, If you are cooking on HIGH, they will be ready in 2 to 3 hours.
- If you are cooking on LOW, they will be ready in 4 to 6 hours.
Christina’s Notes
- Cornstarch: Add a cornstarch slurry if your sauce is too thin.
- Double This Recipe: Meatballs are the best for your next party. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and cook for an additional 1 hour.
- Main Dish: To make this a complete and balance meal, serve with white or brown rice and your favorite veggies, such as broccoli or green beans.
- Meatball Subs: Serve slow cooker sweet chili meatballs on fresh subs rolls or French bread along with spicy mayo and Japanese Coleslaw.
- Storage: Store this easy recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat meatballs in crock pot for 1-2 hours or microwave for 2-3 minutes until hot.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Do you use grape jelly or cranberry sauce?
I’ve made the grape jelly and chili sauce meatballs many, many times. They’re good. This recipe, with the sweet chili sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar is MUCH better! You get a small kick, depending on the heat from the chili sauce. Everyone who had it LOVED it, including kids. Thanks for the recipe!
I am so glad you like them as much as we do!