• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Savory Nothings logo

  • Recipe Index
    • Easy Dinner Recipes
      • Slow Cooker
      • One Pot Meals
      • Quick Meals
      • Instant Pot
    • Side Dishes
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Small Meals
  • Dinner Ideas
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Easter
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • About
  • Subscribe
×

Home / Holiday Recipes / Thanksgiving / 5 Ingredient Cranberry Glazed Crockpot Turkey Meatballs

5 Ingredient Cranberry Glazed Crockpot Turkey Meatballs

2 hrs 35 mins
| 24 Comments |
4 from 3 votes
Jump to Recipe 11/07/15 | Updated: 05/24/20 | by Nora

With just 5 ingredients and only 5 minutes prep time, this easy Cranberry Glazed Turkey Slow Cooker Meatballs recipe is a real crowd pleaser at holiday parties and for football game day snacking. It uses 100% juice and honey for a healthier glaze.

cranberry turkey meatballs in white bowl

A bit more than a year ago I bought my first slow cooker, ever. And one of the initial things I made with it was a crockpot meatball recipe (closely following a festive bread pudding and a healthy chili).

I was still on maternity leave and my husband had started the slow cooker before he left in the morning. I remember how I woke up an hour later and thought somebody had broken in and started cooking in our kitchen!

The entire house smelled of really, really good food.

Needless to say, those Sticky BBQ Slow Cooker Meatballs are one of the most popular recipes on Savory Nothings! So I thought it would be unfair not to give you a different version.

top down view on cranberry turkey meatballs in white bowl

Things have changed in the past year though, and apparently I now have a little meatball appetizer lover at home.

After I photographed these I quickly went to check the pictures on my computer.

In the meantime, my sneaky toddler walked into the kitchen where I found her a minute later happily munching on one.

I love it when she eats my healthier recipes with joy though. Not that these crock pot meatballs are health food, but they’re made with turkey meat and no canned cranberry jelly whatsoever.

Instead the cranberry meatball glaze is made up of 100% juice, a bit of soy sauce and a little honey. If you leave out the dried cranberries, they’re entirely processed sugar free!

The best thing is how easy they are to make though. Prep takes 5 minutes, max.

You can use store-bought frozen meatballs, or you can make your own! I like to quadruple my recipe for how to make meatballs and stock my freezer with them.

And the rest of the work? Gets done by your slow cooker!

cranberry turkey meatballs on white platters with toothpicks
Printable Recipe Card
top down view on cranberry turkey meatballs in white bowl
Save Recipe Saved!

5 Ingredient Cranberry Glazed Turkey Slow Cooker Meatballs

With just 5 ingredients and only 5 minutes prep time, this easy Cranberry Glazed Turkey Slow Cooker Meatballs recipe is a real crowd pleaser at holiday parties and for football game day snacking. It uses 100% juice and honey for a healthier glaze.
Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings
made it? tap the stars to add your rating!
4 from 3 votes
Print Add Review

Recipe details

Prep 5 mins
Cook 2 hrs 30 mins
Total 2 hrs 35 mins
Servings 8 servings
Difficulty Easy

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup 100% cranberry-apple juice
  • 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 (16-oz) bag frozen fully-cooked turkey meatballs
  • 4 tablespoons sweetened dried cranberries optional

Instructions
 

  • Combine the juice, soy sauce and honey in a small bowl. Sprinkle the cornstarch on top and whisk it together well.
  • Add the frozen meatballs to a 3.5-quart slow cooker. Pour the juice mixture on top and sprinkle with dried cranberries, if using.
  • Cook on high for 2-3 hours, or until the meatballs are hot in the middle. Remove the lid and finish cooking uncovered for 30 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
Want to save this recipe?Create an account for free to start your personal recipe box. Save any recipe by tapping the heart in the bottom right corner.
Join Now

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 138kcal
Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings
About Nora 
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me!   Learn more.

Reader Interactions

These 15 healthy one dish meals make clean-up after dinner incredibly speedy.

< Previous Post

slice of apple snack cake with maple frosting

Next Post >

Add a Review or Ask a Question Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Made this recipe? Rate it:




Comments

  1. Emma says

    November 21, 2019 at 9:20 pm

    Hi Nora!

    If I was planning on doubling the amount of meatballs would, how much would I need to increase the sauce (double as well?).

    Would I need to change the cooking time?

    Reply
    • Nora Rusev says

      November 21, 2019 at 10:48 pm

      Hi Emma! Yes, double the sauce! Definitely use a 5-6 quart crock pot, then the cooking time won’t change at all 🙂 hope that helps!

      Reply
  2. Corey says

    August 23, 2019 at 2:27 pm

    If I were to go about making my own meatballs for this recipe, how would that change the cooking time in the actual slow cooker? I know I’d have to cook the meatballs in a frying pan or oven first, but once I transfer them to the slow cooker with the sauce, so I adjust the cook time in there?

    Reply
    • Nora says

      August 25, 2019 at 11:12 pm

      Hi Corey, no! The slow cooker time doesn’t change. Hope that helps 🙂

      Reply
  3. Betsi Bauer says

    April 08, 2019 at 8:43 pm

    I have cranberry grape juice and wondering if that would be ok to use in this recipe.

    Reply
    • Nora says

      April 08, 2019 at 10:06 pm

      Hi Betsi, yes that should absolutely work!

      Reply
  4. Sarah says

    December 16, 2018 at 4:11 am

    Hi! Do you cook the frozen meatballs on high for 2 1/2 hours or low?

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 16, 2018 at 1:14 pm

      Hi Sarah, on high! Hope that helps 🙂

      Reply
  5. cindy arsenault says

    May 16, 2016 at 6:13 pm

    I have a hard time being able to find frozen meatballs of any kind that doesn’t have milk in it. I am allergic to dairy. is there a way to make these with ground turkey?

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 16, 2016 at 6:43 pm

      Hi Cindy, thanks for asking! Sure, no problem – I’ve made this exact recipe with homemade turkey meatballs a few times as well, and they turn out fabulous! Just follow the instructions for the meatballs in this recipe: https://www.savorynothings.com/sticky-bbq-slow-cooker-meatballs/ using ground turkey instead of ground beef (you can leave out the shallot if you don’t like it). Do make sure to cook them through in a frying pan before adding them to the slow cooker with the sauce, else they might fall apart. Hope it works out for you 🙂

      Reply
  6. Debbie says

    December 22, 2015 at 8:27 am

    can I make this with out cooking it in crocpot if my meatballd are area cook??

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 22, 2015 at 9:09 pm

      Hi Debbie, thanks for asking! If your meatballs are already cooked you can simply pour the ingredients for the glaze into a large pot and bring it to a boil. Allow it to simmer until it has thickened to the consistency you can see in the recipe video. It shouldn’t take long, 10 minutes maybe! Then add the meatballs and heat through – done! Hope you’ll enjoy the recipe!

      Reply
  7. marcie says

    November 10, 2015 at 7:56 am

    Nora, I just want to dive into these meatballs — they look so juicy and delicious! Your photos are just stunning too — pinned to try!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      November 12, 2015 at 8:50 am

      Thank you so, so much Marcie! I appreciate the pin!

      Reply
  8. Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says

    November 09, 2015 at 1:46 pm

    Haha! I love that your daughter helped herself to one of these meatballs! Smart girl, because these are seriously GORGEOUS, Nora! I’m most likely going to have tons of leftover cranberries after Thanksgiving and now I know what I’m filling my crockpot with! 😀

    Reply
    • Nora says

      November 12, 2015 at 8:49 am

      She is a smart girl, especially when it comes to food 😉 Thanks so much Sarah, you’ll love these 🙂

      Reply
  9. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    November 09, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    My slow cooker is one of my favorite appliances, especially when the weather gets cooler. These meatballs look fantastic, Nora! I love that they’re just five ingredients and have a cranberry glaze! So perfect for the season!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      November 12, 2015 at 8:49 am

      Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Gayle!

      Reply
  10. Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says

    November 09, 2015 at 5:02 am

    I need these meatballs! I got my first slow cooker just over a year ago too and it’s been a game changer. What had I done before? This is my kind of holiday food!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      November 12, 2015 at 8:44 am

      Yay, I’m not the only one late to the slow cooker party 😀 Thanks Alyssa!

      Reply
  11. Annie says

    November 09, 2015 at 1:30 am

    5 stars
    You know I am so anti holiday food but this is totally my kind of food!! I love that you used the cran-apple juice in the sauce vs canned cranberry! That is so clever! I usually make a batch of meatballs and stick them in the freezer so I can pull them out in a hurray and just add a sauce, I am definitely going to try this!
    And as always, stunning photos!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      November 12, 2015 at 8:44 am

      Yeah, you holiday food rebel 😉 Making a big batch of meatballs to freeze is on my list once we get our bigger freezer – what a great idea! Thanks Annie!

      Reply
  12. Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says

    November 07, 2015 at 6:58 pm

    Okay so Stella totally goes and steals the stuff that I photograph too!
    I LOVE these meatballs! Absolutely beautiful!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      November 08, 2015 at 8:51 am

      Haha, glad mine isn’t the only one 😉 Thanks Mariah!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings

welcome to

logo for the Savory Nothings brand

Hi, I'm Nora! I wasn't always a good cook, but then I fell in love with a professional chef and learned my way around the kitchen. Now I share all my secrets to effortlessly great food here on my blog, bite-sized for home cooks just like me and you.

More about me →

Easter Recipes

  • close up photo of glazed carrots with parsley
    Perfect Glazed Carrots
  • overhead view of strawberry rhubarb pie with dish towel and fresh fruit next to it
    Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
  • frontal view of sliced lemon loaf cake
    Glazed Lemon Loaf Cake
  • overhead view of roasted carrots on foil lined pan
    Honey Roasted Carrots

see all >

Popular

  • overhead close up view of garlic parmesan oven fried chicken piece on black pan
    Garlic Parmesan Crispy Oven Fried Chicken
  • overhead view of three oven baked chicken breasts in white casserole dish
    Oven Baked Chicken Breast
  • overhead close up photo of a piece of oven fried chicken on a black sheet pan
    Crispy Oven Fried Chicken
  • overhead close up photo of chocolate chip baked oats
    TikTok Baked Oats: 6 Ways!
  • white bowl with rigatoni bolognese
    One Pot Rigatoni Bolognese
  • chicken tacos on wooden platter
    Southwestern Crockpot Chicken Tacos
  • casserole dish with shepherd's pie
    Homemade Shepherd’s Pie
  • close up photo of a sliced banana bread
    Whole Wheat Cinnamon Crunch Banana Bread

Trending on Pinterest

  • Balsamic Chicken Marinade
  • Swedish Meatballs
  • Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
  • Instant Pot Pot Roast
  • Homemade Salisbury Steak
  • About
  • Contact

Footer

Footer

Follow Along













Recipes

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Sides
Dessert
Appetizers

Instant Pot
Slow Cooker
One Pot
Casseroles
Ground Beef
Chicken

Featured On

different logos of publications Savory Nothings' content has been featured on

↑ back to top

About | Contact | Work with Us

Copyright Savory Nothings © 2023

Made with lots of love and spices ♥︎
PRIVACY POLICY | ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT |
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Yummly
  • Mix