3 Ingredient Sweet and Sour Meatballs (Easy Slow Cooker Meal Idea)
Have a bag of frozen meatballs in the freezer?
Here’s how you can turn them into a super easy 3 ingredient Crock-Pot slow cooker recipe idea! These delicious cranberry chili meatballs require just a few common pantry and freezer ingredients and take just a few hours in the slow cooker.
Hip Recipe Tips:
-
- We love the cranberry sauce & chili sauce combo, however, another very popular variation of this idea is to use grape jelly and BBQ sauce. We’ve made that as an easy appetizer too.
-
- Sometimes I’ll add a few red pepper flakes for more spice. You could really use this as a base and add more spices and flavors if desired. I sometimes squeeze a little fresh orange juice for a yummy citrus flavor.
-
- I’ve included the slow cooker directions, but this works on the stovetop too if you add all ingredients to a pot, heat on med/low stirring frequently for about 20 minutes until the frozen meatballs are heated through.
-
- This can easily be made into a meal by serving the meatballs with rice and steamed veggies.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
yield: 6 SERVINGS
prep time: 10 MINUTES
cook time: 3 HOURS
total time: 3 HOURS 10 MINUTES
This easy 3-ingredient recipe results in a delicious sweet and tangy slow cooked sauce!
Ingredients
- 32 oz. frozen pre-cooked meatballs (or make your own)
- 14 oz. can cranberry sauce
- 12 oz. chili sauce
Directions
1
Pour sauces over meatballs in slow cooker and combine.
2
Cover and cook on HIGH for about 3-4 hours.
3
Serve over rice if desired as a meal or individually as a cocktail appetizer. Enjoy!
My kids seem to be extra picky when it comes to slow cooker meals, however – they LOVE this meal.
Someone asked my son recently what was the best thing I make and he replied: “Cranberry Meatballs” which is pretty funny since this is so simple. The sauce is a little sweet and tangy – and it’s definitely a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it’s so quick to prepare, that I’m calling it a win! 😋
You can do this with grape jelly instead of cranberry. I do it in my instant pot. Got the recipe from 365 days of slow and pressure cooking website. Very tasty!
Yep good idea- thanks!
Question : If I make my own meatballs do I have to freeze them first/to
No! I always make my own. More time and effort, but worth it in my opinion.
Well you’d need to cook them first. Then you can just add cranberry sauce and chili sauce to them on the stove to simmer for a little bit… or slow cooker.
A family favorite in this house😄
Is it! Oh cool! I like easy pantry/freezer ideas like this.
Thank you so much for continuing to post, Lina! I especially love that you’re giving us recipes that we can put together with freezer/canned items. I really appreciate everything that you do – especially during these difficult times, and look forward to giving these a try for dinner tonight. They look incredible 🙂
Yes, absolutely! We can get through this together ❤️
This is one of my family’s go-to meals! Definitely recommend! If your meatballs are not frozen, you can just heat it all up on the stove for a quick dinner with rice and broccoli!
Yes! Thanks for sharing ❤️ Christy!
One of my favorites too! We also like “hawaiian” meatballs. Mix together whatever bbq sauce you like and a can of crushed pineapple in your crock pot with your meatballs.
Yum I love the pineapple idea 💕 thanks for sharing that!
Thank you for starting with fresh comments if this is an older recipe 🙂 it sounds delicious and I’m sure my fam will love it!!!
Yes!! Absolutely- thanks Jen!!
Are they spicy with the chili sauce? They sound yummy!
no – more zesty. Yes!
What a coincidence, I made these for dinner on Wednesday. They are so easy to make.
Oh nice – thanks for sharing Amie 😀
Keep the recipes coming!! Love it.
Thanks for the feedback Amy!
Can you use a can of whole cranberry sauce instead of jellied? Thanks!
Ya I’m sure you can experiment with that. Could be a diff texture mainly but I would think good 👍
I like this idea since it may have less sugar than the grape jelly version
How much grape jelly, in lieu of cranberry?
I’m thinking the same 14 oz. would most likely work.
What kind of chilli sauce do you use? Where is it found at the grocery store?
I use Heinz – it should be located with the condiments and is similar to ketchup – hope that helps!
If I wanted to double this recipe, would I need to adjust the time to cook as well?