Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Meatballs featuring ground turkey meatballs baked to perfection, then simmered in a flavorful cranberry barbecue sauce. Perfect for gatherings or a comforting family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1/2 cup finely ground almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 2 cups bbq sauce
- 1 batch homemade cranberry sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Make meatball mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, whisked egg, almond flour, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Use your hands to gently mix everything until well incorporated.
- Shape meatballs: Using a tablespoon measure, scoop the mixture and roll into approximately 20 evenly sized meatballs for consistent cooking.
- Bake meatballs: Drizzle olive oil over the lined sheet pan, place the meatballs evenly spaced, and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15–20 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 165 degrees.
- Prepare sauce: While the meatballs bake, whisk together the cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, ground mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl until fully combined.
- Slow cook meatballs: Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the slow cooker base, pour the prepared sauce over them, and gently toss to coat evenly. Cook on low for 4–6 hours or on high for 2–3 hours to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs warm, garnished with thinly sliced green onions and toothpicks for easy serving and presentation.
Notes
- Use ground turkey for a leaner alternative to beef or pork meatballs.
- Homemade cranberry sauce adds natural sweetness and tartness that pairs perfectly with smoky BBQ sauce.
- Make ahead by preparing meatballs and sauce separately, then assembling and cooking in the slow cooker when ready.
- Ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- For a gluten-free option, confirm your BBQ sauce and Worcestershire sauce are gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 62.4 g
- Sodium: 1218.6 mg
- Fat: 11.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 87.3 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 21.3 g
- Cholesterol: 99.8 mg
