These cranberry meatballs with spicy bacon bbq are the ultimate in sticky finger foods just in time for the holidays! A quick homemade cranberry sauce is smothered into barbecue sauce and hot spices for the perfect sweet and spicy no-fuss pop-able party bites!
Fa-la-la-la-la it’s holiday season!
Raise your hand if you love holiday parties. *raises her hand*
Raise your hand if you love it more when you don’t have to lift a finger and how hard you party is your only worry. *raises her hand again*
Well if you just lifted your hand twice at the computer screen, you are in luck!
Table of Contents
What makes these Cranberry Meatballs so special?
I’ve got this wonderful cranberry meatballs with spicy bacon bbq recipe that is no-fuss, no-mess, and will leave everyone’s bellies oh-so happy at the party.
What does that mean for you?
- That means less time in the kitchen cooking....because... slow cooker!
- Less time cleaning the kitchen and washing dishes... because... slow cooker!!! If you aren't using slow cooker liners yet, you need to ASAP! No more scrubbing the ceramic slow cooker pot until your fingers are numb!
- Means more time for you to get dolled up for that party... because... slow cookers!!!
What ingredients do I need to make these slow-cooker cranberry meatballs with that BBQ glaze?
- 30 frozen meatballs (make sure that they are gluten-free, or be completely sure by making our own paleo baked meatballs!)
- 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- ¾ cup fresh orange juice
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup gluten-free barbecue sauce or you can make your own gluten-free BBQ Glaze!
- ¼ cup bacon crumbles
- 1 tablespoon gluten-free hot chili paste or sriracha
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
How to make Cranberry Meatballs?
So what’s involved?
A whole mess of cranberries for a quick homemade cranberry sauce.
Then a whole mess of BBQ sauce smothered all together.
If cranberry isn't your thing check out Fearless Dining's GF BBQ Meatballs for a great turkey meatball alternative.
Then add in a touch of hot chili paste or sriracha and some red chili flakes for added hot comfort.
Then you can’t forget the bacon crumbles!
Dump them in, smoother those meatballs in all of it’s glorious sticky glaze, and let those bad boys sit that hot sticky sweet bath of sauce until you are darn ready for a party for your palate.
Cranberry Meatballs tips:
If you don’t want spice (sad face) then omit the hot chili paste, sriracha, and red pepper flakes. BUT… who doesn't love a little of spice in their life?
If you'd like to create the illusion of slaving away in your kitchen and threw on that party dress just before the party started, then remove your cooked cranberry meatballs from your slow cooker and place them in a big old fancy serving tray.
Keep a little bit of extra cranberry bacon BBQ glaze and drizzle it over the meatballs just before the party begins.
You may also want to think about sprinkling these meatballs with a garnish, such as: bacon crumbles, blue cheese crumbles, or possibly chopped fresh parsley!
Look at all that YUM!
These cranberry meatballs will be the first thing devoured at your next event. Hands down, the best thing on the serving table!
Cranberry Meatballs with Spicy Bacon BBQ Meatballs
These spicy cranberry bacon bbq meatballs are the ultimate in sticky finger foods just in time for the holidays! A quick homemade cranberry sauce is melted and smothered into barbecue sauce and hot spices for the perfect sweet and spicy no-fuss pop-able party bites!
Ingredients
- 30 frozen meatballs
- 1 cup cranberries
- ¾ cup fresh orange juice
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup GF barbecue sauce
- ¼ cup bacon crumbles
- 1 tablespoon GF hot chili paste or sriracha
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Place a slow cooker liner in your slow cooker and place the meatballs in the bottom. Set aside.
- In a medium sauce pan, boil the cranberries, orange juice, sugar, and cinnamon for 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have all popped open and the sauce becomes slightly thickened. Remove from heat to cool.
- Combine the barbecue sauce, bacon crumbles, chili paste, red pepper flakes, and room temperature cranberry sauce over the meatballs and stir.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours before serving warm.
Oh my God, those meatballs looks amazing! The flavors are spot-on. It looks simply sensational!
Thanks Jo! They are pretty sensational if I do say so myself! 🙂
What an interesting combination of flavors! I bet the sweet flavor of the cranberries pairs perfectly with the smoky bacon and bbq sauce. Talk about delicious!
All you had to say was "spicy" and I am THERE! These meatballs sound like they are right up my alley 🙂
Oh I bet that you would LOVE them if you like a little spice! 🙂
I never would've thought of mixing cranberries with barbecue sauce, and now it's all I want to eat! They look amazing and are the perfect party food!
Now these are some meatballs sure to disappear at any holiday party. I love the sweet and spicy flavors these cranberry bacon bbq meatballs have.
wow, what a delicious flavor combination for those meatballs! I would never have thought of using cranberry, its brilliant!
Love, no mess, no fuss meals and less clean up. Looking at this picture, I don't want to wait for the holidays to make these. This will be in my meal prep list, for sure.
What an interesting combination! I love the idea of the cranberries with all that spice - a crazy combo yet I bet a tasty one! I look forward to trying it as an appy next time I have friends over!
Okay, every single word in the title of this recipe has me drooling. I love spicy, cranberries, bacon, bbq and meatballs! My sister asked me to bring a few appetizers to her Labor Day party and this is going to be one of them! Can't wait to try them.
Now those are my kind of meatballs! They look so full of flavor and they're perfect for the festive season!
Talk about a great party appetizer! The flavors are so perfect for the holidays, and everyone always loves them. Can't wait to make them again!
these meatballs are mouth watering! I can't believe I was about to drool over! This would be perfect for the coming parties this Holiday season. Thanks for sharing!
These look fantastic! What a delicious holiday appetiser.
Thanks Kortney! It always goes over well at parties 🙂
These look FANTASTIC! Definitely adding to my holiday menu. #client
Oh these are always a winner at holiday gatherings. Everyone gathers around the slow cooker! 🙂