These meatballs are fully cooked and then slow-cooked in a rich sauce made from whole cranberry sauce, orange juice, and brown sugar. Soy sauce and spices like garlic and onion powder add a savory depth, while fresh orange zest brightens the glaze. The slow cooking allows the sauce to thicken and evenly coat the meatballs, resulting in a tender, flavorful dish perfect for holiday occasions or cozy meals. Garnish with extra orange zest or parsley for a fresh finish.
These Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs make a festive and flavorful addition to any gathering. The balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes creates a crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for holiday parties or cozy family dinners. The slow cooking process allows the sauce to soak into the meatballs, making every bite juicy and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Uses simple ingredients that you likely have on hand
Slow cooker method means hands-off cooking and enhanced flavor
Perfectly balanced sauce with cranberry, orange, and a hint of soy sauce
I first made these meatballs during a holiday get-together, and they quickly became the star of the party. Everyone asked for the recipe the next day and they have since been a festive staple every winter.
Ingredients
Two pounds fully cooked beef meatballs: choose good quality or homemade ones for best texture
One can whole cranberry sauce: this adds a lovely sweet tart flavor and texture to the sauce
One cup orange juice: fresh squeezed is ideal for brightness and natural sweetness
Half cup brown sugar: deepens the sauce with a rich caramel note
One tablespoon soy sauce: adds umami and balances the sweetness
One teaspoon garlic powder: enhances flavor without overpowering
One teaspoon onion powder: rounds out the savory profile
Zest of one orange: imparts fresh citrus aroma and sharpness use a microplane to get fine zest without the bitter pith
Step-by-Step Instructions
Spoon the Meatballs into the Crockpot:
Place the fully cooked meatballs evenly into your crockpot ensuring they are in a single layer as much as possible for even cooking and sauce coverage
Whisk the Sauce Mixture:
In a separate bowl, whisk together cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and orange zest until smooth and well combined so the flavors blend evenly
Coat the Meatballs with Sauce:
Pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs then gently stir to make sure each meatball is coated with the sauce for consistent flavor throughout
Cook on Low Heat:
Cover the crockpot and cook on the LOW setting for three hours. This slow cooking allows the sauce to thicken and soak into the meatballs while keeping everything tender and juicy
Final Stir and Garnish:
Before serving, gently stir the meatballs to coat them evenly again with the thickened glaze. Garnish with a little more orange zest or some chopped parsley for a fresh pop of color and aroma
Ezoic
A bowl of meatballs with orange peppers.
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A bowl of meatballs with orange peppers. | gracefulflavors.com
You Must Know
These meatballs are great for entertaining since they can be prepped ahead and slowly cooked while you focus on other dishes
The coconut cranberry and orange combination is not just festive but also offers a complex flavor balance that pleases many palates
They freeze well so you can save leftovers or prepare in advance for busy holiday celebrations
One of my favorite things is the bright zing from the orange zest which lifts the sauce and keeps it from feeling too heavy. I remember serving this to my family during the holidays and watching kids and adults alike go back for seconds with smiles all around.
Storage tips
Let the meatballs cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to four days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat to keep the sauce from separating. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Ingredient substitutions
If you do not have whole cranberry sauce, you can substitute with fresh cranberries cooked down with sugar and a splash of water until thickened. Orange juice can be replaced with tangerine juice for a sweeter tone or lemon juice mixed with a touch of honey for a tangier twist. Brown sugar can be swapped with maple syrup or coconut sugar but adjust sweetness to taste. Soy sauce can be replaced with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free version.
Serving suggestions
These meatballs are wonderful served over steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or creamy polenta to soak up all the sauce. They also work great as appetizers on toothpicks with a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Pairing with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables balances the sweetness nicely.
A bowl of yummy meatballs with orange peppers.
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