Name: "Secret" Ingredient BBQ Meatballs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 125 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs frozen meatballs, (no need to thaw); 2 bottles BBQ sauce ((16-18 oz each)); 14 oz can jellied cranberry sauce ((the "secret" ingredient))

You’ll never guess what the “secret” ingredient is in these simple crockpot BBQ Meatballs!

If you’ve been around our blog for a while, you might have realized by now that I love my crockpot. I love that we can have a hot meal without me standing over the stove. This is especially true right now, with a baby who loves to fuss at dinnertime, and two little ones complaining about how hungry they are. In this season of my life, cooking dinner ranks pretty high up on the list of things I hate to do (right below stepping on Legos).

So, I try to utilize my crockpot any chance I get. I was part of a cooking club a while back, and I got the idea of this recipe from that.

These “Secret” Ingredient BBQ Meatballs are filling enough for dinner (serve over rice), but they’d also be a fabulous appetizer for a party (just use toothpicks).

These “Secret” Ingredient BBQ Meatball are so extremely simple– just 3 ingredients! Start with frozen meatballs, like Lucy’s Easy Peasy Meatballs or the frozen meatballs from Costco. Add BBQ sauce. Then throw in the “secret” ingredient that isn’t so “secret” as it is surprising. Jellied cranberry sauce!

My husband loved these meatballs, and he was really surprised when I told him that they had cranberry sauce in them. It doesn’t give them a cranberry taste, but rather adds a sweetness to the BBQ sauce.

"Secret" Ingredient BBQ Meatballs

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

2 hrs

Total Time

2 hrs 5 mins

Course: Appetizer

Ingredients

2 lbs frozen meatballs, no need to thaw
2 bottles BBQ sauce (16-18 oz each)
14 oz can jellied cranberry sauce (the "secret" ingredient)

Instructions

Combine ingredients in slow cooker.
Cook on high 2-4 hours.
Serve as an appetizer using toothpicks, or serve over rice for a meal.

Are you planning to watch the Superbowl this weekend? If so, what’s on the menu?

Looking for more crockpot recipes?

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13 thoughts on “Secret Ingredient BBQ Meatballs”

Oh, I like that better than some I’ve seen with grape jelly. Sounds yummy! Dropping in from DBB. Hope your having a great week! Feel free to share your recipe at the Super Bowl Chili party with giveaway on my blog & enter for a chance to win! Theresa @DearCreatives

Jamie H says:
January 29, 2014 at 9:52 pm
They really are delicious- one of my favorite meals we got from the cooking club! I’ll be by to share, thanks for the invite!
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These sound awesome! I may have to make them this weekend! 🙂
– Brooke –

Jamie H says:
January 31, 2014 at 2:56 pm
Brooke, they’re perfect for game food, since you just pop them in the crockpot and don’t do another thing! Then get out some toothpicks and they’re ready to eat! Enjoy the weekend!
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I’ve never in my life used that jellied cranberry sauce, but it makes sense in something like this. I’ve used regular grape jelly when making sweet and sour so I will def. give this a try.

Jamie H says:
January 31, 2014 at 2:59 pm
Christine, I hadn’t ever used jellied cranberry sauce, either, until after the cooking club and finding out how delicious these were! Hope you like it!
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