These slow cooker poor man party bites are the kind of easy recipe that earns a permanent place in a busy family meal plan. With frozen beef meatballs, canned cranberry sauce, and chili sauce, you get that sweet-savory combination people always seem to come back for at potlucks, game nights, and casual summer get-togethers. It is a simple pantry-and-freezer recipe with old-fashioned party food charm, and the slow cooker does most of the work.
Serve these meatballs warm right from the slow cooker with toothpicks for a party snack, or spoon them over rice, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes for a simple supper. They also pair well with macaroni salad, coleslaw, baked beans, corn on the cob, or a crisp green salad, especially if you are building an easy summer spread for family and friends.
Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Poor Man Party Bites
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 bag (26 to 32 ounces) frozen raw beef meatballs
1 can (14 ounces) jellied cranberry sauce
1 bottle (12 ounces) chili sauce
Directions
1. Add the frozen raw beef meatballs to the slow cooker in an even layer.
2. Spoon the canned cranberry sauce over the meatballs, spreading it as evenly as you can.
3. Pour the chili sauce over everything, cover, and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the meatballs are fully cooked through and hot in the center.
4. Stir gently once or twice during cooking if convenient, then serve warm right from the slow cooker or transfer to a serving bowl.
Variations & Tips
For a tangier sauce: If your family likes a little more zip, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard or apple cider vinegar to the sauce before cooking. It brightens the sweetness of the cranberry sauce nicely.
For picky eaters: Let the meatballs cook fully, then serve some with a little extra plain chili sauce on the side if anyone finds the cranberry flavor too noticeable. The sweet-and-savory balance is usually kid-friendly, but this is a nice way to ease everyone in.
Keep-warm tip: Once the meatballs are done, switch the slow cooker to warm for serving. Give them a stir every so often so the sauce stays smooth and coats the meatballs evenly.
Food safety tip: Since the meatballs start frozen and raw, make sure they are cooked all the way through before serving. The center should be hot, and beef meatballs should reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F.
Make it a meal: These are wonderful spooned over hot rice or egg noodles for an easy supper. I like to set out a simple vegetable on the side and let the extra sauce drizzle over everything.