Crock-Pot Cocktail Meatballs

If you’ve been to enough parties, you’ve probably come across a variety of different cocktail meatballs. This is my take on this classic party snack. I frequently include these on my party menu because everyone loves em’ and they are so darn easy to make. Preparing them in your Crock-Pot means you’ve got one item checked off your list hours before your party starts and they will stay warm and tasty throughout the night. They are sweet and tangy with a bit of a kick. Perfect party food!

I’m absolutely and totally out of this world crazy for these Aidell’s Chicken Meatballs – Terriyaki & Pineapple. They are super delicious and as an added bonus, far lower in fat and calories than your typical frozen meatballs. I find this big 46 ounce package in the refrigerated section at Costco and it’s exactly the right amount for this recipe. You can use any prepared meatballs that suit your fancy, or you can make some from scratch (click here for my recipe).  Using prepared meatballs makes this recipe incredibly fast and easy which means more time can be spent on the rest of the menu, or cleaning and rearranging the pantry, or organizing your sock drawer. Enough about my exciting life, let’s make us some cocktail meatballs!

Here’s what you need to add to your grocery list: a package of meatballs (2 to 3 lbs.), a 14 ounce can of jellied cranberry sauce, a 12 ounce bottle of chili sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and a lemon. A note about chili sauce – don’t confuse it with cocktail sauce. Heinz makes them both and they come in identical bottles so be sure you’ve got the right thing.

You should start these about 2 hours before your party. Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a sauce pan and allow it to simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes to break down the cranberry sauce.

Pour the sauce over the meatballs in your Crock-Pot and set it on low.

Mix them up and put the cover on. If you are using frozen meatballs there is no need to thaw them first. I’m telling you – it doesn’t get any easier!

Get the shaker out and let the party begin!

Crock-Pot Cocktail Meatballs

Servings: 20

Ingredients:

• 1 package (2 to 3 pounds) fresh or frozen, fully cooked meatballs
• 1 (14 ounce) can jellied cranberry sauce
• 1 (12 ounce) jar chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions:

In a saucepan mix together cranberry sauce, chili sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Mix to combine and allow to simmer, stirring frequently, for about 5 to 10 minutes to allow cranberry sauce to break down.

Place meatballs in a Crock-Pot and pour the sauce over. Mix well to combine. Set Crock-Pot to low, cover and allow to cook for 2 hours before serving. If using frozen meatballs, allow them to cook for 3 hours before serving.

Keep Crock-Pot plugged in throughout your party and serve the meatballs from the Crock-Pot.