Searching for the ultimate easy, delicious, and healthy appetizer for your next gathering? Look no further than these incredible Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey Meatballs! Designed for convenience and bursting with festive flavor, these homemade turkey meatballs are a holiday party essential that everyone will adore. Crafted in your trusty crock-pot and bathed in a simple yet sensational cranberry BBQ sauce, they are not only quick to prepare but also perfectly suited for those watching their intake, being wonderfully Weight Watchers friendly. Say goodbye to complicated recipes and hello to the magic of “set it and forget it” cooking – your slow cooker handles all the work, leaving you free to enjoy the festivities.

While these savory and sweet turkey meatballs are incredibly popular during the holiday season – making an ideal appetizer for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year’s Eve – their delightful taste and simplicity make them a fantastic choice for any time of year. Hosting a game day party, a family reunion, or simply craving a flavorful snack? These meatballs are your answer. They are a testament to how easy, festive, and healthy party food can be, offering a guilt-free indulgence at just 2 WW points per serving. This makes them a particularly smart choice if your main holiday meal features other delectable but richer dishes, such as Ham and classic scalloped potatoes.

Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Turkey Meatballs

These slow cooker cranberry turkey meatballs are more than just a recipe; they’re a smart solution for busy hosts and health-conscious foodies alike. Here’s why they’ll become your new go-to appetizer:

• **Effortlessly Easy:** The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. Simply mix, shape, and simmer – no complicated steps or constant monitoring required.
• **Healthy & Weight Watchers Friendly:** Made with lean ground turkey and a flavorful, yet mindful, sauce, these meatballs are light on calories but big on taste, aligning perfectly with Weight Watchers goals at just 2 points per serving.
• **Festive Flavor Profile:** The combination of tangy cranberry sauce, savory BBQ, and a hint of fresh orange zest creates a unique and undeniably festive taste that’s perfect for holiday entertaining.
• **Make-Ahead Convenience:** Prepare them hours in advance and keep them warm in the slow cooker, making them ideal for parties and potlucks.
• **Moist & Tender:** Thanks to the gentle, slow cooking process, these turkey meatballs remain incredibly moist and tender, a common challenge often associated with ground turkey.

🥘 Essential Ingredients for Moist, Flavorful Meatballs

Often, turkey meatballs can be prone to dryness, but I’ve discovered a few key secrets to ensuring they remain wonderfully moist and packed with flavor, especially when cooked in the slow cooker. Beyond the gentle cooking method, the star is undoubtedly the rich Cranberry BBQ sauce that generously smothers them! A touch of orange zest in the meat mixture also elevates the savory notes, giving these meatballs that special holiday touch.

• Cranberry Sauce: For ultimate convenience and budget-friendliness, I opt for canned cranberry sauce. It provides that essential sweet-tart base without extra effort.
• BBQ Sauce: Choose your personal favorite! I typically reach for President’s Choice Gourmet BBQ sauce or my own homemade BBQ sauce. The key is to select one you truly enjoy, as it forms the backbone of the sauce’s flavor.
• Egg White: This acts as a crucial binder, helping the meatballs hold their shape beautifully during cooking.
• Ground Turkey: Opt for lean ground turkey for a healthy, lower-fat option. Its mild flavor pairs exceptionally well with the vibrant cranberry sauce.
• Green Onion: Finely chopped green onion not only adds a fresh, zesty flavor but also contributes a lovely pop of color to the meatballs.
• Orange Zest: Don’t skip this! The orange zest is a game-changer, adding a wonderful depth and brightness that complements both the turkey and the cranberry sauce, truly screaming “holiday pleasure.”
• Soy Sauce: I recommend reduced sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness while adding an umami depth to the meatballs.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: For a subtle, yet satisfying, kick of spice, a small amount of crushed red pepper flakes works wonders. Adjust to your heat preference!
• Minced Garlic: Fresh minced garlic infuses the meatballs with an aromatic foundation.
• Fine Bread Crumbs: These help absorb moisture and contribute to the tender texture of the meatballs.

*Refer to the full recipe card below for precise ingredient amounts.

📖 Customizing Your Cranberry Turkey Meatballs: Variations & Substitutions

One of the best things about this recipe is its adaptability. Feel free to make a few tweaks to suit your preferences or what you have on hand:

• Cranberry Sauce: Whether you prefer the homemade touch or the convenience of store-bought, both canned cranberry sauce and a homemade version will work beautifully in this recipe.
• BBQ Sauce: While any type of BBQ sauce you love can be used, I strongly advise against using one with a dominant hickory flavor, as it can overpower the delicate cranberry and orange notes. Stick to classic or sweet BBQ profiles.
• Ground Turkey: For a different poultry option, you can easily substitute lean ground chicken for the ground turkey, maintaining a similar healthy profile and tender texture.
• Spice Level: If you love a bit more heat, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes. For a milder version, you can reduce or omit them entirely.
• Herbs: Consider adding a teaspoon of dried sage or a pinch of fresh thyme to the meatball mixture for an even more pronounced holiday flavor.

🔪 Easy Steps: How to Make Cranberry Turkey Meatballs

My philosophy for slow cooker recipes is simple: if a step isn’t absolutely necessary, I’m cutting it! The original version of this recipe called for pre-cooking the meatballs in a skillet, which, in my opinion, completely defeats the purpose of the slow cooker’s convenience. So, rest assured, I’ve streamlined the process. These delicious cranberry turkey meatballs are designed to be an incredibly easy, true “dump-and-go” recipe – making them the perfect make-ahead appetizer for any occasion.

1. **Prepare the Meatballs:** Begin by lightly spraying your slow cooker with a non-stick cooking spray. In a spacious mixing bowl, lightly beat the egg white. To this, add your ground turkey, fine bread crumbs, minced garlic, a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle warmth, chopped green onion for freshness, fragrant orange zest, and a splash of reduced sodium soy sauce. Using clean hands, mix all these ingredients thoroughly but gently. Overmixing can lead to tough meatballs, so stop once everything is just combined. Then, shape the mixture into approximately 30 uniform meatballs. A small cookie scoop can be incredibly helpful for creating consistently sized meatballs. Arrange these raw meatballs in a single layer at the bottom of your slow cooker.
2. **Craft the Cranberry BBQ Sauce & Cook:** In a separate mixing bowl, combine the canned cranberry sauce with your chosen BBQ sauce. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and well-integrated. Pour this luscious cranberry BBQ mixture evenly over the meatballs in the slow cooker, ensuring they are well coated.
3. **Slow Cook to Perfection:** Set your slow cooker to the “low” setting and cook for 3 to 3.5 hours, or until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The gentle heat of the slow cooker ensures the turkey remains incredibly moist while absorbing all the wonderful flavors of the sauce.

The beauty of this particular cranberry sauce for meatballs lies in its sheer simplicity! You literally just mix your favorite BBQ sauce with a can of cranberry sauce, pour it over the meatballs, and let your slow cooker work its magic. As mentioned, I personally love using President’s Choice Gourmet BBQ sauce for its balanced flavor, but any brand you enjoy will work well. Just remember my golden rule: avoid any BBQ sauces with a strong hickory or smoky flavor, as these can easily overshadow the delicate and festive notes of the cranberry and orange.

⏲️ The Perks of Slow Cooking: Baking Time and Convenience

One of the biggest advantages of these Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs is their “set it and forget it” nature. This recipe epitomizes effortless entertaining! The process is truly minimal: you simply add your perfectly formed turkey meatballs to the crock-pot, pour the rich cranberry BBQ sauce over them, and then you’re free to walk away. Approximately 3 to 3.5 hours later, you’ll return to a batch of perfectly cooked, succulent turkey meatballs infused with that irresistible cranberry sauce – it’s as easy as can be!

This hands-off cooking method means you can dedicate your time to other party preparations, spend quality moments with your guests, or simply relax. The slow cooker maintains a consistent, gentle heat, which is key to preventing the turkey from drying out and allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. No constant stirring, no worrying about burning, just perfectly tender meatballs ready when you are.

🌡️ Storing and Reheating Your Meatballs

These crockpot cranberry turkey meatballs are fantastic for meal prep or enjoying as leftovers. Proper storage ensures they stay fresh and delicious for future enjoyment.

• Refrigeration: Any leftover meatballs, along with their delicious sauce, can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. They taste just as good, if not better, the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
• Freezing: This recipe freezes exceptionally well! For longer storage, allow the meatballs and sauce to cool completely. Transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or freezer bags. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months, making them an excellent make-ahead option for future parties or quick weeknight meals.
• Reheating: To reheat, simply defrost the frozen meatballs overnight in the refrigerator (or use the defrost setting on your microwave if you’re short on time). Once thawed, warm them gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until they are heated through. You can also return them to a slow cooker on the “warm” setting for larger quantities.

🔢 Weight Watchers Friendly: Just 2 WW Points!

For those mindful of their nutritional intake, this easy and delicious recipe is a true winner! These Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey Meatballs are wonderfully Weight Watchers friendly, coming in at just 2 WW points per serving (on the blue plan, assuming all the sauce is consumed). This low-point value makes them an excellent choice for a healthy appetizer that doesn’t compromise on flavor, allowing you to enjoy your holiday parties or gatherings without guilt.

Did your family ❤️ this recipe? Did you know that commenting and ⭐ rating recipes is one of the best ways to support your favorite recipe creators? If you LOVED this recipe, please comment and rate it in the recipe card below or share photos on social media using the hashtag #foodmeanderings or tagging @foodmeanderings!