Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy BBQ Cranberry Turkey Meatballs Recipe
These Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy BBQ Cranberry Turkey Meatballs combine lean ground turkey with warm spices and a tangy, flavorful cranberry BBQ sauce. Perfect for a party appetizer or a comforting meal, the meatballs are browned on the stovetop before slow cooking to tender perfection in a uniquely delicious homemade sauce that balances sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 20 meatballs (approximately 10 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
For the BBQ Cranberry Sauce:
- 1 batch homemade cranberry sauce
- 1 ½ cups spicy BBQ sauce (or BBQ sauce of choice)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ⅓ cup water
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a hint of spice)
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey (or ground chicken)
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ tablespoon ground sage
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Cranberry BBQ Sauce: In the bowl of a 5 or 6-quart slow cooker, combine the homemade cranberry sauce, spicy BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, water, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- Make the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, add the ground turkey, egg, minced garlic (or garlic powder), panko breadcrumbs, ground sage, dried thyme, ground cumin, allspice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Use clean hands to mix the ingredients together evenly, then form the mixture into 20 uniform meatballs.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, add the meatballs and brown them on all sides. Turn gently with tongs or a fork every few minutes for about 4-5 minutes total until nicely browned. Transfer the browned meatballs directly into the slow cooker bowl containing the cranberry BBQ sauce.
- Slow Cook the Meatballs: Gently spoon some of the BBQ cranberry sauce over the meatballs to coat them. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 6-7 hours until the meatballs are fully cooked and tender. When ready to serve, switch the slow cooker to the warm setting to keep the meatballs hot and easily accessible for guests.
- Serve: Serve meatballs directly from the slow cooker, allowing guests to pick them up with toothpicks, or transfer them to a serving platter. Ideal for gatherings or as a hearty dish for dinner.
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken instead of turkey for the meatballs if preferred.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on desired spice level or omit for milder taste.
- Using panko breadcrumbs adds a lighter texture to meatballs, but regular breadcrumbs can be used as an alternative.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet when browning the meatballs to ensure even browning.
- Homemade cranberry sauce adds a fresh, vibrant flavor but store-bought cranberry sauce may be used for convenience.
Keywords: turkey meatballs, cranberry sauce, BBQ meatballs, slow cooker recipe, party appetizers, healthy meatballs, sweet and spicy sauce
