Chili Cranberry Meatballs for the Instant Pot or Crock Pot

I needed some inspiration for some snacks for my New Year’s Eve party. Meatballs in the slow cooker have always been my go to. What could be better than cranberries with a kick of chili? I raided my cupboards and found some spicy chili jelly and leftover cranberries. Then there was that huge bottle of sweet chili sauce my Mom bought last summer sitting in the fridge door. Condiments never spoil, right? Also, I always keep a pack of frozen meatballs in my freezer. This time I used Compliments lean turkey meatballs.

I used my Google-fu and found a recipe that I could use, although it was for a crock pot. Who needs a crock pot when I have two Instant Pots? One for the meatballs and the other for the hot mulled cider. We’re good to go!

The meatballs were a hit. A wall of spice tempered by the tartness of the cranberries. I used the fresh cranberries with 1/3 cup of sugar. Next time, I will dial down the sugar as I prefer my cranberries a little tart. I should have added the leftover orange juice from making orange zested cranberry sauce earlier in the week. That would have been divine.

Chili cranberry meatballs in the Instant Pot
Chili cranberry meatballs in the Instant Pot

Print Recipe
Chili Cranberry Meatballs
Prep Time 10-15 minutes
Cook Time 5-20 minutes attended
Passive Time 10-360 minutes
Servings
people as an appetizer
Ingredients
Main
Choice of:
Or
Prep Time 10-15 minutes
Cook Time 5-20 minutes attended
Passive Time 10-360 minutes
Servings
people as an appetizer
Ingredients
Main
Choice of:
Or
Instructions
Instant Pot
  1. Add 1 cup water to the Instant Pot.
  2. Place a steamer basket in the Instant Pot and add frozen meatballs.
  3. Pressure cook for 5 minutes on high pressure.
  4. * When timer beeps, release the pressure with a quick pressure release.
  5. Remove steamer basket and meatballs from the Instant Pot.
Sauce (Instant Pot)
  1. Discard cooking water and add all the sauce ingredients to the cooking pot.
  2. If using cranberries, select Sauté and cook, stirring frequently, until cranberries have fallen apart and the sauce is heated through.
  3. If using cranberry sauce only, cook until sauce is combined and heated through. Add heated meatballs and stir to combine.
  4. Switch to keep warm setting until ready to serve.
  5. *It will take about 15 minutes to reach pressure in addition to the 5 minutes cook time. Also 10-15 minutes to cook cranberries
Crock Pot
  1. Add all the sauce ingredients to a sauce pan or stove top friendly crock pot liner.
  2. Cook on stove top, stirring frequently, until cranberries have fallen apart and the sauce is heated through.
  3. Add meatballs and stir to coat them well. Put in crock pot on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 2-2 1/2 hours.
Recipe Notes

Adapted from: https://spicysouthernkitchen.com/crock-pot-cranberry-meatballs-2/

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