November 7, 2025
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Should you’re searching for a straightforward, make-ahead appetizer that appears fancy however takes virtually zero effort, these Crockpot Cranberry Turkey Meatballs are it. Juicy, herbed turkey meatballs simmer in a candy and tangy cranberry-orange sauce that’s equal elements cozy and crowd-pleasing. They’re the type of dish that makes individuals hover by the gradual cooker… spoon in hand. I really like this recipe as a result of it’s constituted of scratch, freezes completely, and the flavour payoff is big for a way little work it takes.
Ingredient Notes + Variations
These meatballs carry collectively a mixture of easy pantry staples and contemporary touches for taste that tastes something however primary. The sauce is a mixture of cranberry and orange with successful of brown sugar. It’s shiny, festive, and critically good.
- Floor Turkey – Lean however tender as soon as baked and slow-cooked in sauce.
- Grated Onion – Provides moisture and delicate sweetness with out chunky texture.
- Garlic Powder + Recent Herbs – A mix of sage and thyme provides traditional Thanksgiving taste with out the heavy lifting.
- Olive Oil – Retains the meatballs juicy.
- Cranberry Sauce (Jellied + Complete Berry) – Utilizing each provides the sauce physique and texture.
- Orange Juice + Zest – Brightens every little thing up with contemporary citrus taste.
- Brown Sugar – Balances the tang from the cranberry.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Provides depth and umami to maintain the sauce from being too candy.
Easy methods to Make Crockpot Cranberry Turkey Meatballs
These come collectively in two steps… bake first to lock in taste, then simmer within the gradual cooker till they’re tender and coated in that shiny cranberry sauce. For full recipe particulars, together with substances and measurements wanted, see the printable recipe card down beneath.
Step 1: Preheat Oven + Prep Pans
Line baking sheets with parchment and preheat to 400° F.
Step 2: Combine Meatball Components
Mix floor turkey, eggs, bread crumbs, grated onion, olive oil, garlic powder, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper in a big bowl.
Step 3: Roll + Bake
Kind into 1 ½ tablespoon-sized meatballs and bake for 15–20 minutes till simply agency however not totally cooked by.
Step 4: Make Cranberry Sauce
In a separate bowl, whisk collectively cranberry sauces, orange zest, orange juice, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
Step 5: Gradual Cook dinner
Add meatballs to your gradual cooker, pour the sauce excessive, toss gently, and cook dinner on excessive for two hours or low for 4 hours till sizzling and shiny.
Ideas for Success
- Grate the onion finely so it melts into the meat combination with out chunks.
- Don’t overbake earlier than including to the gradual cooker… simply sufficient to set.
- Stir gently a few times throughout cooking so each meatball will get coated.
- Use a cookie scoop for even sizing.
- For events, preserve them heat proper within the gradual cooker on the “heat” setting.
Easy substances, attractive taste, and a gradual cooker that does the work. These Cranberry Turkey Meatballs are a straightforward win each time. Make them as soon as and also you’ll end up coming again to this recipe time and again. The recipe card is beneath! Have one, associates!
Crockpot Cranberry Turkey Meatballs
Crockpot Cranberry Turkey Meatballs are candy, tangy, and completely tender little bites that virtually make themselves. Simmered in a cranberry barbecue sauce, they’re the best festive appetizer.
Components
- 3 kilos floor turkey
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
- 1 cup white onion grated
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons floor sage
- 2 teaspoons thyme leaves contemporary, chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 14 oz jellied cranberry sauce 1 can
- 14 oz entire berry cranberry sauce 1 can
- 1 teaspoon orange zest about 1 giant orange
- 1/2 cup orange juice about 1 giant orange
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Directions
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Preheat oven to 400° F.
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Line two giant baking sheets with parchment paper and put aside.
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In a big mixing bowl, mix the bottom turkey, eggs, bread crumbs, grated onion, olive oil, garlic powder, sage, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
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Roll the combination into about 60 meatballs, roughly 1 1/2 tablespoons of the turkey combination every.
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Place the meatballs at the least a half-inch aside onto your ready baking sheets.
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Bake for 15-20 minutes or till agency, however simply undercooked.
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Place the meatballs into the crock of a big gradual cooker.
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In a big bowl, whisk collectively each cranberry sauces, orange zest, orange juice, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce till totally mixed.
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Pour the cranberry sauce combination over the meatballs and toss to coat.
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Flip your gradual cooker on excessive and cook dinner for two hours or on low for 4 hours.
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Serve sizzling with toothpicks or cocktail picks.
Notes
- You may skip the gradual cooker if wanted and warmth the sauce over medium warmth on the range, then toss the meatballs within the sauce and simmer over medium-low for 10-Quarter-hour, till the meat is heated all through.
- Retailer leftovers within the fridge in an hermetic container for as much as per week.
- You may freeze these cooked meatballs within the sauce for as much as 3 months.
Diet
Energy: 437kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 37gFats: 9gSaturated Fats: 2gPolyunsaturated Fats: 2gMonounsaturated Fats: 4gTrans Fats: 0.03gLdl cholesterol: 124mgSodium: 432mgPotassium: 568mgFiber: 2gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 188IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 3mg
Extra Appetizers to Strive
Should you make this recipe, I’d actually respect it should you would give it a star score and go away your overview within the feedback! If in case you have an image of your completed dish, publish it on Instagram utilizing the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
