Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs – Easy Festive Party Favorite

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cranberry Orange Sauce

• 1 can whole cranberry sauce (about 14 ounces)
• 1 cup orange juice (preferably pulp-free)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium if you have it)

For the Meatballs

• 2 lbs fully cooked beef meatballs
  • Use frozen or refrigerated
  • Small cocktail-size meatballs work best

Optional Garnishes (Highly Recommended)

• Fresh orange zest
• Thinly sliced green onions or chives
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Red pepper flakes (for a little heat)

Tools You’ll Need

• Medium saucepan
• Large skillet or Dutch oven or slow cooker
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Citrus zester (optional, but wonderful)
• Serving dish or slow cooker set to “warm”

How to Make Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs

You can make these on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. I’ll walk you through both.

Stovetop Method (Fastest)

1. Make the cranberry orange sauce
   Add cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, and soy sauce to a medium saucepan.
   Stir over medium heat until the mixture looks smooth and glossy, about 5–7 minutes.
2. Simmer and thicken slightly
   Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
   Let it bubble for 3–5 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens just a bit and coats the spoon.
3. Add the meatballs
   Place the fully cooked meatballs in a large skillet or Dutch oven.
   Pour the hot cranberry orange sauce over the meatballs and stir to coat.
4. Heat through
   Cover the pan and cook over medium-low heat for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs heat through and the sauce clings nicely.
5. Garnish and serve
   Transfer the Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs to a serving dish or keep them in the skillet.
   Top with orange zest, green onions, or parsley.
   Serve warm with toothpicks or small cocktail forks.

Slow Cooker Method (Hands-Off)

6. Dump and go
   Add the fully cooked meatballs to the slow cooker.
   In a bowl, whisk together cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, and soy sauce.
   Pour over the meatballs and stir.
7. Cook low and slow
   Cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5–2 hours, stirring once or twice.
   Switch to “warm” for serving so the meatballs stay hot and saucy on the buffet.

When December hits, I always keep a bag of frozen meatballs in the freezer and a can of cranberry sauce in the pantry. One year, I threw together these Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs on a total whim, right before friends arrived for a last-minute game night. Ten minutes after I set the slow cooker on the counter, everyone crowded around it like it was the tree.

The sauce tasted bright and citrusy, but still cozy and familiar. Plus, the meatballs stayed tender and sticky and disappeared faster than any fancy cheese board I’ve ever made. Now, I bring these Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs to every potluck, office party, and Christmas Eve buffet.

What Makes This Recipe Special

• Sweet-tart holiday flavor: Cranberry sauce and orange juice create a glossy, tangy-sweet glaze that tastes like Christmas in a bite.
• Ridiculously easy: You start with fully cooked meatballs, so you mostly stir, simmer, and serve. No browning. No stress.
• Perfectly versatile: Serve as a party appetizer, over rice for dinner, or as sliders on soft Hawaiian rolls.
• Party-proof and trendy: These meatballs feel like the cranberry cousin of viral crockpot meatballs, and they stay warm beautifully on a buffet.

Quick Ingredient Swap Table

You can easily customize these Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs. Here are some fun swaps:

What to Serve With Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs

These meatballs love a party. Here’s how I like to round things out:

• Appetizer party platter: Pair them with other fun bites like sweet chili meatballs, veggie trays, and cheese cubes for a “meatball bar” moment.
• Cranberry-themed holiday spread: Add a bowl of classic cranberry sauce and some creamy mashed potatoes or soft dinner rolls for the ultimate cranberry lovers’ table.
• Classy holiday dinner: Serve these alongside slices of roast beef or ham for a gorgeous red-and-gold centerpiece meal.

If you want a cold contrast, you can also add a creamy, tangy dip with crackers and veggies.

Tips for Perfect Results

1. Use small meatballs
   Cocktail-size meatballs soak up more sauce and feel more snackable at parties.
2. Don’t rush the simmer
   Give the cranberry orange sauce a few minutes to bubble. That time lets the sugar dissolve and flavors blend beautifully.
3. Finish with a pop of freshness
   A sprinkle of fresh orange zest or herbs right before serving wakes up the entire dish and makes it look restaurant-level.

Storage Instructions

• Fridge: Store leftover Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
• Reheat: Warm them gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, stirring halfway so the sauce heats evenly.
• Freezer: Freeze cooled meatballs and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat until hot and bubbly.

FAQ – Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs

1. Can I make Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can. Prepare the Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs up to 24 hours ahead, refrigerate them in the sauce, and reheat gently on the stove or in a slow cooker on “warm” before serving.

2. Can I use turkey meatballs instead of beef?

Absolutely. Turkey or chicken meatballs work perfectly in Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs. They give a slightly lighter flavor but still soak up the sweet-tart sauce.

3. How do I make Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs in a slow cooker only?

For an all-in-one slow cooker method, add frozen or chilled fully cooked meatballs to the crock, whisk the cranberry orange sauce in a bowl, pour it over, and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours. Stir once or twice so the Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs stay evenly coated.

4. Can I make the sauce less sweet?

Yes. You can cut the brown sugar down to 1/4 cup or use unsweetened cranberry sauce and fresh orange juice. Taste the sauce before adding the meatballs, then adjust until your Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs hit your perfect sweet-tart balance.

5. What if my sauce feels too thin?

If the sauce seems thin, let the Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes. The sauce will reduce and cling more. You can also mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and stir it into the simmering sauce.

6. Can I serve these meatballs as a main dish?

Definitely. Pile Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs over fluffy rice, buttered egg noodles, or mashed potatoes. Add a crisp green salad or roasted veggies and you have an easy, festive dinner.

Conclusion

Holiday food doesn’t need to be complicated to feel special. These Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs prove it every single time I bring them to a party. They simmer in a glossy, tangy, sweet sauce, they stay warm for hours, and they always disappear before anything else on the table.

So, grab that bag of meatballs and the lonely can of cranberry sauce hiding in your pantry. Then, whip up a batch of these meatballs, snap a photo, and share them on TikTok or Instagram. Be sure to tag us and let everyone know how your Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs turned out. And don’t forget to leave a comment and subscribe to the newsletter so you never miss another easy, viral-worthy recipe.

Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs – Easy Festive Party Favorite

Sharis Mariner

These festive Holiday Cranberry Orange Meatballs are sweet, tangy, and made for holiday parties. Whether served as an appetizer or main dish, they’re easy to make using frozen meatballs and a quick homemade cranberry-orange sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 10 appetizer servings

Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

• Medium saucepan For making sauce (stovetop method)
• Large skillet or Dutch oven To heat meatballs
• Slow cooker Alternative prep method
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Citrus zester Optional garnish tool

Ingredients

  

• 1 can whole cranberry sauce (14 oz)
• 1 cup orange juice (pulp-free preferred)
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
• 2 lbs fully cooked beef meatballs (cocktail size, frozen or refrigerated)
• **Optional Garnishes:**
• Fresh orange zest
• Sliced green onions or chives
• Chopped parsley
• Red pepper flakes (for heat)

Instructions

 

• In a medium saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Stir over medium heat for 5–7 minutes until smooth and glossy. Simmer 3–5 minutes to thicken slightly.
• Add fully cooked meatballs to a large skillet or Dutch oven. Pour hot cranberry orange sauce over meatballs and stir to coat. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Place meatballs in the slow cooker. In a bowl, whisk together cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Pour over meatballs. Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 1.5–2 hours, stirring once or twice. Switch to ‘warm’ for serving.
• Top meatballs with orange zest, green onions, or parsley. Serve warm with toothpicks as an appetizer or over rice/potatoes for dinner.

Keyword cranberry orange meatballs, festive party food, holiday meatballs, slow cooker meatballs