Imagine the comforting embrace of a full Thanksgiving dinner, condensed into a single, delectable bite. That’s precisely what you get with these Slow Cooker Gobbler Meatballs. Combining the rich flavors of savory stuffing and succulent ground turkey, all lovingly simmered in a sweet and tangy cranberry sauce, this dish is a culinary revelation. Whether served as a show-stopping holiday appetizer or a unique main course alongside your favorite sides, these meatballs promise to deliver the quintessential taste of Thanksgiving in an incredibly easy-to-prepare format. Get ready to delight your taste buds and impress your guests with this ingenious twist on classic holiday fare!
Effortless Elegance: A 20-Minute Prep Recipe for Busy Holidays
The holiday season, while joyful, can often be a whirlwind of activities and last-minute preparations. That’s why recipes that offer maximum flavor with minimal effort are truly golden. Our Crock Pot Gobbler Meatballs embody this philosophy perfectly, requiring just about 20 minutes of active prep time before your slow cooker takes over the rest. This isn’t just a convenience; it’s a culinary strategy that allows you to savor the festive atmosphere without being tethered to the kitchen. Crafted from a harmonious blend of tender ground turkey and classic stuffing mix, these meatballs are then bathed in a vibrant, sweet-tangy cranberry chili sauce, infusing every morsel with the unmistakable essence of a Thanksgiving feast. The resulting dish is so irresistibly delicious that even the most discerning palates, including those of picky eaters, are sure to approve. Serve them as an innovative appetizer at your next gathering, keeping them warm in the slow cooker for easy access. Alternatively, transform them into a satisfying family dinner by pairing them with creamy mashed potatoes and a medley of roasted vegetables for a complete, comforting meal that feels both festive and fun.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Thanksgiving Meatballs
There are countless reasons why these Slow Cooker Gobbler Meatballs are destined to become a staple in your holiday repertoire. Firstly, they offer an incredible fusion of flavors. Imagine the savory herbs of stuffing, the tender richness of turkey, and the tart sweetness of cranberry sauce, all perfectly balanced in one bite-sized package. It’s a symphony of Thanksgiving traditions without the monumental effort of preparing an entire turkey. Secondly, the convenience factor is unmatched. Utilizing a slow cooker means hands-off cooking for several hours, freeing you up to enjoy your guests, prepare other dishes, or simply relax. This makes them ideal for bustling holiday parties or weeknight dinners when time is short but you crave something special. Finally, their versatility is a major selling point. Whether you’re hosting a sophisticated cocktail party, planning a casual potluck, or looking for a comforting family meal, these meatballs adapt beautifully. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, appealing to both adults and children, and they make excellent use of familiar, comforting ingredients.
Essential Tips for Crafting the Perfect Gobbler Meatballs
Achieving perfectly tender and flavorful Gobbler Meatballs is simpler than you might think, especially with a few expert tips in your arsenal. Let’s delve into some common questions and essential advice to ensure your meatballs are a resounding success, every single time.
While you might technically get away with skipping the initial baking step and cooking them directly in the slow cooker until done, I highly recommend baking them first. This crucial step serves two main purposes: it gives the meatballs a beautiful golden-brown color, which adds to their visual appeal, and more importantly, it helps them hold their shape and prevents them from falling apart while simmering in the sauce. This pre-baking process contributes significantly to their texture and structural integrity, resulting in much more satisfying meatballs.
Absolutely! These meatballs are quite adaptable and can certainly be prepared on the stovetop. First, cook the meatballs in a large skillet until they are fully browned and cooked through. Once done, remove them from the pan. In the same skillet, combine your sauce ingredients – the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, and brown sugar – whisking them together until smooth. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then return the cooked meatballs to the pan and let them simmer for another few minutes, allowing them to absorb all the delicious flavors. This method is great for when you need a quicker cooking time or don’t have access to a slow cooker.
These versatile Thanksgiving Meatballs can be served in various ways, making them perfect for any occasion. If you’re planning to serve them as a hearty meal rather than just an appetizer, they pair wonderfully with classic comfort foods. Consider serving them alongside your favorite creamy Stovetop Mashed Potatoes or indulgent Crock Pot Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes. To complete the meal, add a fresh green salad or a side of roasted seasonal vegetables like green beans or Brussels sprouts. For an appetizer spread, simply serve them warm directly from the slow cooker with toothpicks, allowing guests to easily grab and enjoy these festive bites.
Chili sauce, a key ingredient in our delectable cranberry sauce, can typically be found in the condiment aisle of most grocery stores. It’s usually located near popular items like ketchup, BBQ sauce, and other common bottled sauces. Don’t confuse it with Sriracha or Asian chili pastes; American-style chili sauce has a unique sweet and savory profile with a mild tang. As a helpful tip, many supermarkets, including Walmart, offer a store-brand version that is often significantly more affordable than national brands like Heinz. Opting for a store brand is a fantastic way to manage your grocery budget without compromising on the essential flavor this sauce brings to the recipe. Look for a bottle that says “chili sauce” and not just “chili paste” or “hot sauce.”
Slow cookers can sometimes run hotter than expected, leading to scorching if not monitored. To prevent your delicious turkey meatballs and their cranberry sauce from burning, regular stirring is absolutely essential. Make it a point to stir the mixture at least every 30 minutes, ensuring you scrape the sides and bottom of the slow cooker to redistribute the sauce and prevent it from sticking. Furthermore, whenever possible, I highly recommend cooking these meatballs on the low heat setting. While it takes longer (4-5 hours), it offers a much gentler cooking process, significantly reducing the risk of burning and allowing the flavors to meld more deeply. High heat (2-3 hours) is an option for quicker cooking, but it requires even more diligent stirring and monitoring.
These Thanksgiving Meatballs are a dream come true for party hosts! To serve them at a gathering, simply keep them warm directly in your slow cooker on the “warm” setting. This setting is perfect for maintaining the ideal serving temperature without overcooking or drying out the meatballs. They can comfortably stay on the warm setting for 2-3 hours, making them an excellent make-ahead option that allows you to enjoy your guests without fussing over last-minute cooking. Place a ladle and a stack of small plates or toothpicks nearby for easy self-serving.
Leftover Slow Cooker Gobbler Meatballs are just as delicious the next day! To store them properly, transfer any remaining meatballs and sauce to an appropriate airtight container. Refrigerate them promptly, and they will keep well for up to 4 days. For longer storage, these meatballs freeze beautifully. Simply place them in a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag, and they can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating these turkey meatballs is incredibly easy, giving you delicious leftovers in no time. You have several convenient options depending on your preference:
- Slow Cooker: For a larger batch, return them to the slow cooker on the low or warm setting until heated through.
- Oven/Air Fryer: Spread them on a baking sheet and heat at 350°F (175°C) or in an air fryer at 325°F (160°C) until warmed. This method can help crisp them up slightly.
- Microwave: For individual servings, place meatballs and sauce in a microwave-safe dish and heat in short bursts, stirring occasionally, until hot.
Whichever method you choose, ensure they are thoroughly warmed before serving and enjoying.
Gather Your Ingredients: What You’ll Need for Gobbler Meatballs
Creating these delightful Slow Cooker Gobbler Meatballs starts with a selection of simple yet flavorful ingredients, many of which you likely already have on hand during the holiday season. The magic truly happens when these components come together to mimic the traditional tastes of Thanksgiving.
- Stuffing Mix: Choose any brand and flavor you prefer. Classic options like chicken, turkey, herb, or cornbread stuffing mixes all work wonderfully, lending that essential savory, aromatic foundation to the meatballs. The mix acts as both a binder and a flavor enhancer.
- Unsalted Chicken Stock: This is crucial for moistening the stuffing mix. I highly recommend using unsalted chicken stock, as stuffing mixes typically contain a good amount of salt already. If only salted stock is available, be mindful of any additional salt you might add to the recipe.
- Large Eggs: Eggs serve as a vital binding agent, helping to hold the meatball mixture together and preventing them from crumbling during cooking.
- Ground Turkey: The star protein of our “gobbler” meatballs. For the best flavor and texture, I suggest using 93/7 lean ground turkey. However, you can certainly experiment with other ground meats if turkey isn’t your preference; ground beef or ground chicken are excellent alternatives that will still pair well with the cranberry chili sauce.
- Jellied Cranberry Sauce: This provides the signature tangy-sweet element to our sauce. While whole cranberry sauce can be used if preferred, I’ve found that jellied cranberry sauce yields a smoother, more consistent sauce texture that clings beautifully to the meatballs.
- Chili Sauce: This is the secret ingredient that elevates the sauce from good to exceptional. It adds a complex layer of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy notes, perfectly complementing the cranberry. As mentioned in the FAQ, you’ll find it in the condiment aisle, usually near ketchup. Don’t hesitate to opt for a more economical store-brand version if available; they often taste just as delicious as the pricier national brands, helping you stay within your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor.
- Light Brown Sugar: While optional, a small amount of light brown sugar genuinely helps to balance the robust flavors of the chili sauce and the tartness of the cranberry sauce. It rounds out the overall taste, creating a more harmonious and appealing glaze. You can adjust the quantity to your personal sweetness preference or omit it if you’re looking to reduce sugar content.
How to Make Irresistible Slow Cooker Gobbler Meatballs: A Step-by-Step Guide
Crafting these delicious, holiday-inspired meatballs is a straightforward process, broken down into easy-to-follow steps. Follow this guide to create a memorable dish that tastes like Thanksgiving in every bite.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the stuffing mix and the warmed unsalted chicken stock. Stir these ingredients thoroughly until all the liquid is completely absorbed by the stuffing. Allow this mixture to rest for approximately 10 minutes; this resting period ensures the stuffing softens and fully rehydrates, preparing it to bind with the other ingredients.
After the stuffing has rested, crack in the two large eggs. Gently stir the mixture to ensure the eggs are evenly incorporated throughout, acting as a crucial binder for your meatballs.
Add the two pounds of ground turkey to the stuffing and egg mixture. Using your hands or a spoon, gently toss and mix the ingredients until they are just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough meatballs. The goal is a uniform mixture where the turkey and stuffing are evenly distributed.
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line several sheet trays with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. Set these prepared trays aside.
Using a spring-loaded scooper or your hands, roll the meatball mixture into uniform 1.5-tablespoon sized balls. Arrange them on the prepared sheet trays, leaving about 1 inch of space between each meatball to allow for even cooking and browning.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown on the outside and mostly cooked through. This initial baking step helps the meatballs retain their shape and adds a desirable crust.
Once baked, carefully transfer the meatballs into an 8-quart slow cooker that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Ensure the meatballs are distributed in a single layer or stacked gently if necessary, to allow for even saucing.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the entire can of jellied cranberry sauce, the jar of chili sauce, and the light brown sugar. Whisk vigorously until the ingredients are well combined. Don’t worry if there are still a few small lumps from the cranberry sauce; these will melt away during the slow cooking process.
Carefully pour the prepared cranberry chili sauce mixture evenly over the meatballs in the slow cooker, ensuring they are generously coated.
Gently stir the meatballs within the sauce to ensure every surface is beautifully coated. This guarantees maximum flavor penetration and a delicious glaze.
Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours, or on high heat for 2-3 hours. Remember to stir the meatballs every 30 minutes, gently scraping the sides and bottom of the pot, to prevent any sticking or burning of the sauce and ensure even cooking.
Once cooked through and gloriously coated in the rich, glossy sauce, your Slow Cooker Gobbler Meatballs are ready to be served immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley or a few fresh cranberries for an extra festive touch if desired.
Craving More Easy & Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes?
If you love the convenience and comforting flavors of these Gobbler Meatballs, you’re in for a treat! The slow cooker is a magical appliance for creating fuss-free, hearty meals and appetizers. Explore these other fantastic slow cooker meatball recipes and more to expand your culinary repertoire:
- Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs
- Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs
- Crock Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
- Crock Pot Homemade Meatballs and Marinara
- Crock Pot Party Meatballs
- Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- Thanksgiving Leftovers Sliders
Slow Cooker Gobbler Meatballs
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20 minutes
5 hours
5 hours
20 minutes
12
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 2 (6 ounce) boxes stuffing mix (chicken, turkey, herb or cornbread)
- 2 cups unsalted chicken stock, warmed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 pounds ground turkey
For the sauce:
- 28 ounce can jellied cranberry sauce (see notes below)
- 24 ounce jar chili sauce
- 4 Tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add 2 (6 ounce) boxes stuffing mix and 2 cups unsalted chicken stock, warmed, stir to combine until all of the liquid is absorbed. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Then add 2 large eggs and stir to combine.
- Add 2 pounds ground turkey and gently stir until well mixed together.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line sheet trays with parchment paper, set aside.
- Roll the meatballs into 1.5 tablespoon balls (I like to use a spring loaded scooper) and place them on the prepared sheet trays about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden brown.
- When done, place the meatballs into a 6-8 quart slow cooker that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 28 ounce can jellied cranberry sauce, 24 ounce jar chili sauce and 4 Tablespoons light brown sugar, packed. There may be lumps, that’s okay.
- Pour the sauce over the meatballs.
- Gently stir so the meatballs are coated in the sauce.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours. Stir every 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Then serve!
Notes
- Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) and detailed ingredient list above for valuable tips on substitutions and answers to common queries.
- For the smoothest sauce, we found jellied cranberry sauce works best, creating a luscious glaze that adheres beautifully to the meatballs. However, if you prefer a chunkier texture, you can certainly use whole cranberry sauce.
Appetizer, Main Course
American
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 43g |
Protein: 22g |
Fat: 3g |
Sodium: 827mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 33g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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