Slow Cooker Cranberry Jalapeno Meatballs Recipe
This Slow Cooker Cranberry Jalapeno Meatballs recipe combines sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors in an easy-to-make dish perfect for parties or a comforting meal. Featuring a homemade cranberry sauce and tender meatballs, either store-bought or homemade paleo-style, cooked slowly in a crock pot to develop rich, mouth-watering flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours for store-bought meatballs; 5-6 hours for homemade meatballs
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes to 10 hours 20 minutes (store-bought), or 5 hours 40 minutes to 6 hours 20 minutes (homemade)
- Yield: Approximately 60 meatballs
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the Meatballs (Store-bought option)
- 1 pack Amy Lu Jalapeno Cranberry Meatballs (approx. 60 meatballs, large Costco pack) or 60 frozen meatballs of choice
For the Cranberry Sauce
- 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
Additional Ingredients
- 2 13 oz jars BBQ sauce (recommended The New Primal or Primal Kitchen brands)
For Homemade Paleo Meatballs (optional)
- 2 lbs ground beef
- ¼ cup almond flour
- 2 tbsp coconut flour
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tbsp Coconut Aminos
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Cranberry Sauce: Heat the fresh or frozen cranberries with ¼ cup water over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries begin to pop and soften. Add honey or maple syrup to taste. Use a wooden spoon to crush the cranberries against the side of the pan. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce thicken for a few minutes.
- For Store-Bought Meatballs: Add the meatballs to the crock pot. Pour in both bottles of BBQ sauce and then add the prepared cranberry sauce. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Set the crock pot to low and cook for 8-10 hours. Once done, switch to the "warm" setting until ready to serve.
- For Homemade Paleo Meatballs: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine ground beef, almond flour, coconut flour, sea salt, Coconut Aminos, dijon mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly with your hands to form a uniform mixture. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until mostly cooked through.
- Slow Cook Homemade Meatballs: Transfer the baked meatballs to the crock pot. Add both jars of BBQ sauce and the prepared cranberry sauce. Stir to combine. Cook on low for 5-6 hours, then switch to the "warm" setting to keep heated until serving.
Notes
- Adjust the sweetness of the cranberry sauce with honey or maple syrup according to your preference.
- Using a wooden spoon to crush the cranberries helps release more flavor and improves sauce texture.
- For a quicker meal, store-bought meatballs can be used, but homemade paleo meatballs add a fresh, healthier option.
- Ensure meatballs are cooked thoroughly if baking homemade ones before adding to slow cooker.
- The slow cooker setting can be adjusted to warm after cooking to keep meatballs at serving temperature without overcooking.
