Slow Cooker BBQ Cranberry Turkey Meatballs
Slow Cooker BBQ Cranberry Turkey Meatballs deliver a perfect harmony of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, combining lean turkey meatballs simmered in a rich BBQ and fresh cranberry sauce. This easy-to-make slow cooker recipe is ideal for holiday celebrations, party appetizers, or cozy weeknight dinners, infusing every bite with festive charm and tender juiciness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours (low) or 2 to 3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite smoky variety)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup water or broth (optional, to adjust sauce consistency)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix just until combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Shape the Meatballs: Using your hands or a small ice cream scoop, form uniform meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Arrange them on a parchment-lined tray to keep tidy before cooking.
- Mix the Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine BBQ sauce, fresh cranberries, and water or broth if desired. Stir gently until the cranberries are evenly distributed in the sauce.
- Layer in the Slow Cooker: Place turkey meatballs carefully into the slow cooker. Pour the BBQ cranberry sauce over the meatballs, making sure each one is coated with sauce.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, allowing flavors to meld and meatballs to become tender and juicy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once fully cooked, gently stir to coat meatballs evenly with sauce and serve warm, garnished as desired.
Notes
- Do not overmix meatball mixture to keep meatballs tender and juicy.
- Form meatballs of uniform size to ensure even cooking.
- Use fresh cranberries for optimal flavor and texture.
- Optional pre-sear of meatballs adds extra flavor.
- Add broth or water if sauce begins to dry during cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: slow cooker meatballs, turkey meatballs, BBQ cranberry sauce, holiday appetizer, easy dinner, gluten free meatballs
