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Crock Pots and Flip Flops

Crock Pots and Flip Flops

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  • Course
    • Dinner
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Appetizer
  • Protein
    • Chicken
    • Beef
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Crock Pots and Flip Flops | appetizer

appetizer

Cranberry and Jalapeno Dip

This festive cranberry and jalapeno dip is the perfect mix of sweet and spicy! Make your holidays a little brighter with this creamy and fresh dip that will be the hit of the party.

Get ready for the best holiday party dip of your life! I love cranberry sauce and this is such a creative way to use it. Be careful with this dip because it is so addictive you might eat the whole thing before the party even starts. The sweet cranberry sauce pairs with lime juice to make a combo that makes the ideal dip for the holidays. You can throw this together in a few minutes so you mark the appetizer off your holiday to-do list.

Disclaimer- Some links below are Amazon affiliate links, meaning at no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Cranberry and Jalapeno Dip

Of course, once I brought this to a party it is now requested along with my chili cheese dip to every party I go to, holiday or not! I use my Cook and Carry Crock-Pot whenever I make a dish that I’m going to take anywhere. You can cook it at your house, lock it up for the drive and then plug it back in when you arrive. No need for any Tupper-Ware again with this bad boy.

HOLIDAY PARTY DIP

I’m all about appetizers that can be easily made and don’t require a lot of prep. This cheesy dip is the perfect simple appetizer to serve for Thanksgiving or a holiday party. The color adds the perfect pop to any event and people can just snack on it until it’s time to sit down from dinner.

Once you add everything for the Cranberry and Jalapeno Dip to the Crock-Pot you are all done until it’s time to serve. That way you can focus on all the other things you have to do to get ready. I would recommend using the Crock Pot Liners for this dip because it can get a little hard to clean if you have it in there for a few hours.

All of my recipes are gluten-free because my husband has celiac disease, which means you are allergic to gluten. This recipe is naturally gluten-free just make sure to serve with gluten-free crackers like these Jalapeno Mary’s Gone Crackers or tortilla chips to keep it gluten-free.

CAN THIS BE SERVED COLD?

If you are trying to get even more ahead for the holidays you could even make this the day ahead of time and serve it cold. One time I was too busy the day of the event to make it and serve it warm so I served it cold. It was delicious! I would recommend still cooking it in the Crock-Pot because the flavors come together when they have actually cooked rather than just stirring it all together cold.

Cranberry and Jalapeno Dip

You can dip anything into this flavor combination so it’s great to bring to any party since it’s gluten-free and vegetarian! I always use tortilla chips, gluten-free crackers, and celery for my favorite dippers but the sky’s the limit.

INGREDIENTS FOR CRANBERRY AND JALAPENO DIP

CRANBERRY and Jalapeno Dip
  • Cranberries– I use canned cranberries for my dish. You can use fresh cranberries but you would need to put them in the food processor and chop them. Also, you would need to add sugar to the recipe so it is not too tart.
  • Jalapenos– Fresh jalapenos are my choice but you never know how hot they are going to be. If you are worried about heat remove the seeds and membrane from the jalapenos before dicing.
  • Cream Cheese– This dip is a festive treat so I always go for the full-fat cream cheese but you could always make it with 1/3 less fat as well.
  • Green Onions– I usually just use the white part for mixing it into the ingredients and save the green tops for garnish,.
  • Lime Juice – Fresh is best for this recipe again. Part of what makes it so delcious is that fresh flavor combination and lime juice is key to that.

HOW TO MAKE CRANBERRY AND JALAPENO DIP

Step 1. Add cream cheese, cranberry sauce, jalapenos, lime juice, and green onions to slow cooker.

Step 2. Stir until ingredients are well combined.

Step 3. Cook on high for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally.

Step 4. Serve with tortilla chips or crackers. Top with green onions and jalapenos if desired.

LOOKING FOR MORE CROCK-POT APPETIZERS?

Taco Bell Queso Dip

Mexican Street Corn

Cranberry Meatballs

Buffalo Dip

Cranberry and Jalapeno Dip

Author: Allison Treadwell
Cranberry and Jalapeno Dip is the perfect mix sweet and spicy. This gluten-free dip will be your favorite holiday tradition!
PRINT PIN
4.88 from 8 votes
Course : Appetizer
Cuisine : American
Servings : 8
Calories : 196
Total Time : 3 hrs 10 mins
Prep Time : 10 mins
Cook Time : 3 hrs

Ingredients

  • 2 14 oz Whole Cranberry Sauce
  • 2 Jalapenos finely diced
  • 1 tbsp lime juice fresh
  • 16 oz cream cheese
  • 1 tbsp green onions chopped, white part only

Instructions 

  • Spray slow cooker with non-stick spray or use liner.
  • Add cream cheese, cranberry sauce, jalapenos, lime juice, and green onions to slow cooker.
  • Stir until ingredients are well combined.
  • Cook on high for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionaly.
  • Serve with tortilla chips or crackers. Top with green onions and jalapenos if desired.

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition

Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 182mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 808IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: 5 Ingredients, Appetizer, Dips, Gluten Free, Holidays, Recipes, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian Tagged With: 5 Ingredient, appetizer, Crock pot, Gluten Free, slow cooker

Taco Bell Queso Dip

Taco Bell Queso Dip is an easy 4 ingredient dip that features the famous Taco Bell Hot Sauce! This Crock Pot Queso dip is perfect for any party, tailgate or potluck. If you love Taco Bell Hot Sauce you have to try this recipe.

It’s officially football season and next week is the first game so I need to get my dip game in action. Crock Pot Queso Dip is one of my all-time favorites and thought I would pair it with this new Taco Bell Hot Sauce and add some beef to it. If you want an even easier recipe try my Crock Pot Chili Cheese Dip where you don’t even brown the meat.

Disclaimer- Some links below are Amazon affiliate links, meaning at no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

I was getting my enchilada sauce for Enchilada Casserole and came across this Taco Bell Hot Sauce on the shelf next to it. I’m not sure if it is actually new or just new to me but either way I love the Taco Bell Hot Sauce. They had mild too if you prefer that sauce. I always keep the packets from Taco Bell and keep them in my fridge in case I ever need a little sauce for my tacos.

Taco Bell Queso Dip

Easy Appetizer

If you are anything like me you are more into the appetizers than the actual football game. This dish makes a ton of dip so make sure to invite a crowd. Or be ready for tons of leftovers (hello queso dip for lunch). I can promise you this will be a touchdown with your guests and win MVA (Most Valuable Appetizer). Plus it is really filling because of the ground beef and cheese. I usually have to taste the dip a few times as it’s cooking and sometimes by the time it’s done cooking I’m full. In my opinion, this could be a main dish!

Ingredients for Taco Bell Queso Dip

This Crock Pot Queso recipe is so easy to make. You can serve it right in the Crock Pot to keep it warm. I love bringing this to parties in my Cook and Carry Crock Pot. You only need 4 ingredients to make this cheesy delight.

  • Taco Bell Hot Sauce
  • Velveeta
  • Ground Beef
  • Green Chilis

Substitutions

  • If you don’t like Velveeta just swap it for 2 cups shredded cheese and 4 oz cream cheese.
  • Substitute ground sausage for ground beef.

What to Serve with Taco Bell Queso Dip?

I always serve a few options with my queso dip because there are so many great dippers out there. I always have my favorite dipper, tortilla chips. Make sure and buy at least two bags of tortilla chips because I always feel like I run out after one bag.

Along with tortilla chips I like to add celery and carrots to the mix! Make sure to add an extra bowl of Taco Bell Sauce for people to add extra to their queso dip. I literally dip my queso into the taco sauce for each bite.

Taco Bell Queso Dip

Nacho Bar Ideas

I love to make a nacho bar next to the Crock Pot! That way people can make their own nachos using the Taco Bell Queso. Here’s a list of things I put out.

  • Taco Bell Sauce
  • Lettuce
  • Chopped Jalapeños
  • Tomatoes
  • Avocado
  • Sour Cream
  • Chopped Onions

How to Make Taco Bell Queso Dip?

Step 1. Brown ground beef and drain fat.

Step 2. Spray Slow Cooker insert with non-stick spray then spray again!

Step 3. Add Velveeta, ground beef, green chilis, taco bell sauce, garlic powder and onion powder to slow cooker bowl. Set aside 1/4 bottle of Taco Bell Hot sauce for serving.

Step 4. Cook on high for 2 hours. Stir halfway through.

Step 5. Add more Taco Bell Hot Sauce on top of queso dip.

Taco Bell Queso Dip

Looking for more appetizers? Try these other Crock Pot ideas!

Crock Pot Buffalo Dip

Slow Cooker Mexican Street Corn Dip

Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Meatballs

YouTube video
Taco Bell Queso Dip

Taco Bell Queso Dip

Author: Allison Treadwell
Cheesy, Creamy Taco Bell Queso Dip is the perfect gluten-free dip for football, potlucks and parties!
PRINT PIN
5 from 3 votes
Course : Appetizer
Cuisine : American
Servings : 10
Calories : 320
Prep Time : 10 mins
Cook Time : 2 hrs

Ingredients

  • 32 oz Velveeta
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 4 oz green chilis diced
  • 7.5 oz Taco Bell Hot Sauce

Instructions 

  • Brown ground beef and drain fat.
  • Spray slow cooker insert with non stick spray and spray again.
  • Add ground beef, Velveeta, green chilis, garlic powder, onion powder and Taco Bell Sauce. (Set aside 1/4 of the bottle of Taco Bell sauce for serving.)
  • Stir ingredients together.
  • Cook on high for 2 hours or until warmed. Stir halfway through to combine cheese.
  • Serve with extra Taco Bell Hot Sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 1636mg | Potassium: 435mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 891IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 529mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: 5 Ingredients, Appetizer, Beef, Dips, Gluten Free, Recipes Tagged With: appetizer, Gluten Free, Queso Dip, Taco Bell Queso Dip

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs are one of my favorite dishes that exists! They are so simple and so delicious. These Crockpot Cranberry Chili Meatballs are filled with flavor and only take a few minutes to make!

You can find so many different ways to make crockpot meatballs. The first version I made was sweet chili and grape jelly meatballs. But I was told by tons of people that they switched out the grape jelly with cranberry sauce so I am always up to try new recipes! These did not disappoint! They have a little more depth since there are a few more ingredients than the 3 ingredient chili and grape jelly ones. I think the extra 5 minutes of prep is well worth it.

Disclaimer- Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links, meaning at no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Party Perfect

Everyone has some version of these meatballs at their party. That’s because everyone loves them! They are the perfect party appetizer because they are filling and bite sized. I love them because they require minimal prep and I can bring them right to the party in my crockpot! Next time you have a potluck, BBQ, game day or even Thanksgiving make sure to put these on your menu. Your guests will thank you!

Crockpot Cranberry Meatball Meals

Most people think of crockpot meatballs as a party appetizer which I totally agree with! I always make these for any party and they are the first to go.

But then I realized these are a perfect quick dinner idea too! I always keep a bag of frozen gluten free meatballs in the freezer for when I need to make a quick dinner and that doesn’t have very many ingredients.

Most of these ingredients are in my pantry so when I’m meal planning I throw these in the mix. I usually have leftover sweet chili sauce for making my sweet chili chicken and brown sugar so all I need is a can of cranberry sauce!

Not only are they easy to make but you can make them in different ways too. I always love a recipe that I can make different ways so I don’t get tired of eating it over and over again. You can make them with mashed potatoes, rice or cauliflower rice.

Crockpot Meatballs

What is Sweet Chili Sauce?

Sweet Chili Sauce is an Asian sweet sauce. It does have a little heat to it because there are red chilis in the sauce. It is typically made of rice wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, garlic, sometimes fish sauce, and a sweetening ingredient such as fruit, sugar or honey. However, my kids eat this with no problem and they do not eat spicy food.

I usually use the Mae Ploy chili sauce since I’m not sure if the Panda Express one is gluten free. If you don’t have any food allergies feel free to use whatever sweet chili sauce is in the Asian aisle at your local grocery store.

Mae Ploy Sauce

If you are looking for one without spice at all you can use the Heniz Chili Sauce.

Chili Sauce

Frozen or Fresh Meatballs?

You can use either type of meatballs in this recipe. I love the convenience of frozen meatballs so I usually use frozen. If you love to make your own meatballs then go ahead and prepare them as you normally would and place them in the crockpot or brown them and fully cook them on the stove or oven. You can even use turkey meatballs if you want to make them more healthy!

How to Make Crockpot Meatballs

You only need 4 ingredients to make these tasty meataballs!

Crockpot Party Meatballs

Place meatballs in crockpot.

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs

Combine sweet chili sauce, cranberry sauce, cumin and brown sugar in sauce pan on medium heat until brown sugar dissolves.

Pour sauce over meatballs.

Cook meatballs on low for 4-5 hours if frozen or 2-3 hours if fresh.

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs

Frozen meatballs are fully cooked so you don’t need to worry about the temperature but fresh meatballs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. I recommend using a meat thermometer to always check the temperature. Here’s the one I love.

Food Allergies-

Gluten Free- All of my recipes are gluten free! My husband has celiac disease, which means he is allergic to gluten. To make these gluten free you need to use gluten free frozen meatballs. I use the Simply Balanced Meatballs from Target.

Crockpot Sweet Chili Meatballs

Looking for More Appetizers?

Crockpot Sweet Chili Meatballs

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Slow Cooker Mexican Street Corn

Great Bacon Beans

Need A New Crock Pot?

My favorite is this Crock Pot 7 quart Programmable Slow Cooker. First and foremost, I love being able to set the timer in case I’m not home when the food is finished cooking and it just switches to warm. Plus you can lock the lid and just carry it to a party. Not only is it easy to carry but also you will never lose another Tupperware or serving dish again at a potluck party!

Kitchen Tools I Used for this Recipe

  • Measuring Spoons
  • Measuring Cups
  • Can Opener
  • Rice Maker
crockpot cranberry meatball

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs

Author: Allison Treadwell
Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs are one of my favorite dishes that exists! They are so simple with only 4 ingredients. These Crockpot Cranberry Chili Meatballs are filled with flavor and only take a few minutes to make!
PRINT PIN
4.07 from 16 votes
Course : Dinner
Cuisine : American
Servings : 6 servings
Calories : 304
Total Time : 5 hrs 10 mins
Prep Time : 10 mins
Cook Time : 5 hrs

Ingredients

  • 2 bags frozen meatballs or 24 meatballs
  • 15.5 oz jellied cranberries
  • 1 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
US Customary – Metric

Instructions 

  • Place meatballs in crockpot.
  • Combine sweet chili sauce, cranberry sauce, cumin, and brown sugar in saucepan on medium heat until brown sugar dissolves.
  • Pour sauce over meatballs. Toss to combine sauce over meatballs.
  • Cook meatballs on low for 4-5 hours if frozen or 2-3 hours if fresh.

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 454mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 75g | Vitamin A: 33IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: 5 Ingredients, Appetizer, Beef, Dinner, Gluten Free, Holidays, Recipes, Thanksgiving Tagged With: appetizer, crockpot cranberry meatballs, crockpot meatballs, gluten free meatballs, meatballs, party meatballs

Crockpot Sweet Chili Meatballs

These 3 ingredient Crockpot Sweet Chili meatballs are packed with flavor and will be a hit with any crowd! You just toss everything in the crockpot and they cook themselves into a perfect party appetizer.

They are easy to make ahead and just cook until the party begins. Anytime I can have food that basically makes itself I like it. The bonus is that they tasty meatballs are a favorite every time I serve them.

This party appetizer has a special twist to the typical BBQ meatball recipe. The special ingredient is sweet chili sauce. Take these to your next party and they will be a hit.

These sweet meatballs are great to bring to a potluck too because you can just cook them in the crockpot. When it’s time to go take the whole crockpot with you and keep them warm.

Disclaimer- Some links below are Amazon affiliate links, meaning at no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

How to Make Crockpot Sweet Chili Meatballs

– Take 2 packages of frozen fully cooked gluten free meatballs, if not gluten free use any frozen meatballs

– Pour Chili Sauce and Grape Jelly over meatballs

– Cook on low for 3-4 hours or until heated through

Sweet Chili Meatballs

Easy Dinner- Crockpot Sweet Chili Meatballs

We love these meatballs so much we turned them into dinner too. They make an easy weeknight meal that you can serve over rice or mashed potatoes.

Other Versions of Party Meatballs

After sharing this recipe I was flooded with all the different types of party meatballs! I thought I would share a few of the other versions people make…

Sweet Chili Sauce and Raspberry Preserves

Grape Jelly and BBQ Sauce

Sweet chili Sauce and Cranberry Sauce

Food Allergies-

Gluten Free- All of my recipes are gluten free! My husband has celiac disease, which means he is allergic to gluten. To make these gluten free you need to use gluten free frozen meatballs. I use the Simply Balanced Meatballs from Target.

Crockpot Sweet Chili Meatballs

Looking for More Appetizers?

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Slow Cooker Mexican Street Corn

Need A New Crock Pot?

My favorite is this Crock Pot 7 quart Programmable Slow Cooker. First and foremost, I love being able to set the timer in case I’m not home when the food is finished cooking and it just switches to warm. Plus you can lock the lid and just carry it to a party. Not only is it easy to carry but also you will never lose another Tupperware or serving dish again at a potluck party!

Sweet Chili Meatballs

Sweet Chili Meatballs

Author: Allison Treadwell
This party appetizer has a special twist to the typical BBQ meatball recipe. The special ingredient is sweet chili sauce. Take these to your next party and they will be a hit. Perfect to nibble on or make them for dinner with rice!
PRINT PIN
4.75 from 4 votes
Course : Appetizer
Cuisine : American
Servings : 12 servings
Calories : 393
Total Time : 3 hrs 5 mins
Prep Time : 5 mins
Cook Time : 3 hrs

Ingredients

  • 2 packages frozen fully cooked gluten free meatballs if not gluten free use any frozen meatballs
  • 12 ounces chili sauce
  • 10 ounces grape jelly
US Customary – Metric

Instructions 

  • Place meatballs, chili sauce and grape jelly in slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  • Cook on low 3-4 hours or until heated through.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 450mg | Potassium: 448mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 201IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: 5 Ingredients, Appetizer, Asian, Dinner, Gluten Free Tagged With: appetizer, Crock pot, Gluten Free, meatballs, slow cooker

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