These Spicy Cranberry Meatballs blend the rich flavors of ground beef, cranberry, and chili sauces with a kick of hot sauce, creating a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Easy to prepare and cook in a slow cooker, they make a great appetizer or main dish, served alone or over rice.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. It's often easier to mix using your hands.
Shape the mixture into round balls, about 1-½ inches in diameter, by rolling them between your palms. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs for 18-20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, hot sauce, and brown sugar. Mix well.
After baking, let the meatballs cool for 10 minutes.
In a slow cooker set to high heat, add a layer of meatballs and top with half of the sauce. Add the remaining meatballs and sauce, ensuring they are well coated.
Cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.
Optional: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve alone or over rice.
Notes
Keep the meatballs warm until serving.
For a healthier option, substitute ground beef with ground turkey.
For a quicker meal, use frozen homestyle meatballs instead of making them from scratch.