This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FinalFourPack #CollectiveBias Coca-Cola is a corporate champion of the NCAA.
These easy Chipotle Cherry Coke Turkey Meatballs are the perfect party snack for hungry game day watchers!
Anyone up for entertaining?
I don’t know about you, but I love to entertain. I love being the ‘hostess with the mostest’, serving food that everyone will love. I think that’s part of being a foodie… we don’t just enjoy prepping and cooking it, we love sharing it with friends and family. We like seeing you eat! 🙂
And I can’t think of a better time to get friends and family together and entertain than game day. And, since we are {thisclose} to the NCAA Final Four championship play-off games, it means hungry boys and men!
Somebody has to feed them. 🙂
So tell me – are you a fan of basketball? I know I am. I’ve always been fascinated with the speed, agility, quick maneuvers and fast action that takes place on the court. I like hearing the screech of tennis shoes as they stop short, change direction and turn to swish a ball into the net. Priceless!
I was very athletic in high school, and although I was a master at cross-country, I also dabbled at basketball. And what I lacked in agility and finese, I made up with unabashed enthusiasm! I was the one shorter than everyone else, and as that ball passed hands at lightening speed, I was the one thinking “Where the heck is the ball?” 🙂
Yet, in Junior High, I got my Michael Jordan moment.
My high school gym coach was a drill sargeant that was very serious about sports and her expectation of us on the court. As ‘incentive’, she’d make us sink a free-throw before we could hit the showers. <gulp>
I distinctly remember my short little self with my toes on the free-throw line thinking I’d never hit that shot because I was so little and it was a long, long, long ways away.
Yet, I stepped up to that free-throw line and took my best bucket shot. Imagine my surprise when that ball swished through the net! Yes!!!
I’m so glad I got that ONE free-throw, or I’d probably still be there trying! And, I know if my family were in gym class that day, they’d be whooping and hollering their encouragement, just like they do on game day!
Now, in my defense…, I do play a killer pop-a-shot! 🙂 #sonotthesame
But enough of that childhood craziness! Let’s get to today. Big game day, with friends, family and hungry men gathered around the TV to watch the extreme happening action on the court.
But first…, to kick off our party, we need basketball themed appetizers! And, here’s an easy way to bring the big game straight to your table!
Buy basketball stickers at your local craft store and gather a handful of inexpensive toothpicks. Place two stickers together with a toothpick sandwiched between them, and tada!, you’ll have double-sided basketball themed skewers for your meatballs!
Simple crafting 101 thats a fun (and easy!) craft to do together to take your party over the top. Swish!
These Chipotle Cherry Coke Turkey Meatballs will be a slam dunk at your party, and it’s guaranteed your guests will devour them before the first half. With a slight sweet cherry flavor, followed by the spicy smoke of the chipotle peppers, they’re the perfect blend of sweet and savory.
To give you an idea of how much we loved them, I made them 5 times in 3 days. 🙂
As the host, what you’ll love about this recipe is how incredibly simple it is. Only 4 ingredients, and you can cook it on the stove in 15-20 minutes, OR in the slow cooker. It is so easy to throw together, anyone can do it, and your guests will love it!
You can find the Coca-Cola NCAA® Final Four Pack available at Walmart in the Soft Drinks aisle or on the end-cap of the soda aisle. The Special Edition cans come in Coke Zero, Vanilla Coke and Cherry Coke for $5, or three for $5. Or, you can find them on sale like I did. If you don’t have the four packs at your store, look for the 12-pack cans with the basketball theme on the packaging, as you see pictured.
Tell me dear readers, what Coca-Cola flavor would you have chosen to use in a recipe for NCAA® March Madness? I want to hear your creative ideas!
Do you like to take selfies and want a chance to win the National Coke Zero Final Four Selfie contest?
You can upload a selfie with a Coca-Cola product on the site below, and be entered to win 2016 NCAA Final Four tickets. Enter here:
Coca Cola #FinalFourPack Walmart Sweepstakes – $1,000 in Prizing
Enjoy!
Chipotle Cherry Coke Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
Sauce
- 2 12-ounce cans Coca-Cola Cherry Coke
- 1 and 1/2 cups mild chili sauce*
- 3 tablespoons chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce finely chopped
Meatballs
- 1 32-ounce package frozen Italian-Style Turkey Meatballs**
Instructions
Crockpot Method (4+ Hours Cooking Time)
- Mix Coca-Cola Cherry Coke, mild chili sauce and chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce in a medium-size bowl and whisk until all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
- Turn the slow cooker on high and set for 4 hours.
- Pour sauce into the crockpot, then add meatballs. Cover and let cook for 4+ hours. Remove lid and serve.
Stovetop Method (15-20 Minutes Cooking Time)
- Mix Coca-Cola Cherry Coke, mild chili sauce and chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce in a medium-size bowl and whisk until all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
- Pour sauce into a deep skillet and turn on high. Add meatballs. Heat on high until boiling, then turn down to medium or medium-low (or even low heat!) and let the sauce simmer. Turn meatballs frequently and spoon sauce over meatballs as they cook.
- The sauce will thicken as it cooks and will caramelize, coating the meatballs. Continue to cook 15 to 20 minutes until meatballs are heated through and sauce is thick and caramelized.
- Remove from heat and serve.
Notes
**I used frozen Turkey Meatballs and they were amazing! Very moist and flavorful! But, you can also use Italian Meatballs.
!Stove-Top Method
When cooked on the stove-top, the sauce will caramelize and provides a thick sweet/spicy coating that really sticks to the meatballs. What you'll also love about these is that they are super fast, easy and caramelized goodness that's ready to eat in 15-20 minutes. The meatballs will be very moist, but have a more bite-y texture when cooked on the stove.
!Slow Cooker Method
What you will love about the slow cooker is that it's a 'set it and forget it' kind of recipe! You mix all the ingredients together in <5 minutes, throw it in the slow cooker, set the timer for 4+ hours and you are done, until it's time to eat! How easy is that? The difference with the slow cooker method, is that the meatballs will be softer (and super moist) in texture, the sauce will be thinner but you'll still get that same great flavor. I used turkey meatballs and they were soft and super moist! So whether you use a combination beef/pork meatball or turkey, they will be moist due to the Cherry Coke!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
These are so funky and different. I’m also a huge fan of hosting parties. I’m more of a baseball and football fan, but if basketball is on, I’ll watch it. 🙂 Can’t wait to try these meatballs.
Kristi says
I think you’ll love them Erin. We seriously ate them 5 times in 3 days. We absolutely loved them that much. You’d be surprised how well the Cherry Coke and chipotle work together – it’s the ultimate sweet/savory. 🙂
marcie says
I LOVE basketball, and am amazed at how easy those players make it look to handle the ball and make those 3 pointers! I played a bit in junior high, too — fun stuff! These meatballs are the perfect thing to serve up, and they look so juicy and full of flavor! That cherry choke and chipotle sound like one winning combination! Pinned.
Kristi says
Did you hurt your finger playing basketball? Girl, you still got game! 🙂 I love BB too, but I’m not very good at it – that’s why I’m so impressed with their athleticism! And, I will tell you Marcie, these were seriously the best meatballs I ever had. No lie! You must try them – but only use Turkey Meatballs, because they let the flavor shine through! Thank you for the pin!
Marcie says
I hurt my finger playing football, which I love way more than basketball! Haha. And I can totally see what you’re saying about turkey only — it makes total sense!
Kristi says
Hahahaha! Dang it – I thought it was basketball. But girl, no matter. You STILL got game. 🙂
Lubna Naz says
It made my mouth to water! These looks so yummy and I am going to give them a try this weekend. Thanks
Kristi says
I’m so glad you are going to try them Lubna! We had the 5 times in 3 days. We loved them that much – and they are the most flavorful meatball I ever had. You will love them!
Kim says
Wow! These look absolutely amazing! Must try them this weekend!!!
Kristi says
Try them Kim – you will LOVE THEM. They are the perfect sweet, spicy combo and the Turkey meatballs stay so moist and flavorful!
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
These meatballs look divine! Love the addition of the cherry coke! Lovely mix of sweet and savoury flavours. Delicious recipe, Kristi! Thanks so much for sharing! 😀
Kristi says
I know you’ll love them if you try them Jess. They are some serious goodness. The sweet/spicy of these is perfectly balanced. And, such a great party food!
Brenda says
OMG! Cherry coke used to be my absolute favorite! I never thought of using it in a recipe. Thanks for sharing! They look delicious!
Kristi says
Try it Brenda! You will love it! Especially if you loved Cherry Coke. And, if you like spicy, they are the perfect flavor combination. Seriously addictive.
Monica says
I like the sound of the slow-cooker method and these meatballs look so good, bound to vanish while watching a good game. My husband loves cherry coke so I’m sure he’d love to drink one with a few of these! ; )
Kristi says
Hahaha! That’s perfect Monica. You can serve him a couple of cold Cherry Cokes and some sweet/spicy/warm meatballs to balance it all out! Haha!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I like to entertain but I’m not that good at it! I love this idea for meatballs! Your first photo is just amazing.
Kristi says
I’ll bet you are GREAT at entertaining Ashley – I have seen your cooking. 🙂 And thank you for the compliments on the photo. Can you hear me blushing? 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
YUM. These meatballs look seriously good… and I am obsessed by the addition of cherry coke. Definitely curious to know what they taste like Kristi.
Kristi says
Thalia, they are a GREAT combination of sweet and savory. Really, really delicious and honestly the best meatball I’ve ever had. The great thing about turkey is that it’s mild, so it really lets the flavor of the Cherry Coke and chipotle shine. Seriously addictive stuff!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
That’s such a wonderful moment Kristi! I enjoy watching basketball and I even had season tickets at one stage but I could never play it as I am sooo short it would be comical. But I would sit on the sidelines cheering and eating these! 😀
Kristi says
Haha! I’ll sit on the sidelines with you Lorraine, because I’m to short too! Seriously, I throw the ball to the hoop and it’s a dud. It doesn’t even make it there! I guess I don’t have a career as a basketball star. 😉
[email protected] Whole and Heavenly Oven says
That sauce covering these meatballs is literally making me salivate! Totally loving these meatballs, Kristi! My meat-lovin’ brothers and dad would go nuts over ’em!
Kristi says
They are really addictive Sarah! I know you’d love them. They are slightly sweet, but they have that great chipotle kick I love so much. 🙂
Kelly says
Yay, way to go on landing that shot girl! I played basketball in junior high but it was totally for fun 🙂 These are seriously mouthwatering, Kristi! I can just taste all the fantastic cherry coke and chipotle flavors and love that you included both a crock-pot and stovetop method! Perfect for enjoying the game while these babies cook up!
Kristi says
Thanks Kelly – I ate them AGAIN tonight. I think that’s 7 days of meatballs! Haha – but they are seriously good! 🙂
Judit + Corina @Glamorous Bite says
Sweet and tangy with a kick, (or a slam dunk) it is just perfect for a game day, Hope you are making enough of these tasty little meatballs, Kristy, because they will be gone in no time at all 🙂
J+C
Kristi says
Oh my ladies – I’ve now officially eaten them 7 days in a row! Think we like them much? Haha!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
Love chipotle peppers, I use them all the time! This is such a fun appetizer! Love the addition of cherry coke!
Kristi says
Thanks Mariah! You will love them. Trust me on this one – they are totally addictive – the Cherry Coke & chipotle is made for each other!
GiGi Eats says
Whoa! How interesting! I cannot even imagine what this might taste like!!
Kristi says
Think the perfect sweet + savory – they’re fabulous! 🙂
[email protected] says
These look delicious!!! Yum yum yum!!
Kristi says
They are SO good Ami – seriously addictive stuff!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love the flavor of these meatballs, Kristi! So creative! This would make a fantastic appetizer, or in my case, dinner! Yum!
Kristi says
Thanks Gayle. I’ve definitely had my share of them for both appetizers AND dinner! Haha!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
Kristi, I’d probably make my turkey meatballs for this jazzy sauce! Can see why they’d be great for game days — just keep them warm in the slow cooker for snacking all day.
Kristi says
I’m with you Jean – these were so amazingly good, that I had them 5 times in 3 days. No lie. They are seriously good. I hope you try them! Happy Easter!