When viewed objectively, crock pot turkey meatballs are not particularly romantic. They are messy. They are saucy. They are rarely pretty, and they certainly are not to be eaten in white pants. Yet, there is something about slow cooked turkey meatballs that will always remind me of love. Perhaps it is because each meatball is formed individually with care. Perhaps it is because the best, most tender meatballs require the gentlest touch to scoop and shape. As with my crock pot turkey meatballs, just look at the gorgeous, perfect form of Sommer’s Greek Lemon Meatballs and Brianne’s French Onion Soup Stuffed Meatballs. Perhaps it is because, every time I eat a turkey meatball, I fall freshly head-over-heels for a dish that I’ve been eating my whole life, yet continually forget how much I adore. Even Ben’s reaction was, “Why don’t we eat turkey meatballs all the time?” Crock pot turkey meatballs, I neglected you for too long. Let’s cue the Italian violinist, shine up our forks, and make up for lost time!
Simple Tips for Juicy Turkey Meatballs
The greatest crime and loudest complaint surrounding turkey meatballs is that they are dry. There are two simple keys to guaranteeing your turkey meatballs turn out tender and juicy:
Select your meat carefully.Supplement the ground turkey with other moistening ingredients.
For the meat, I used a blend of zesty Italian turkey sausage and lean ground turkey. For extra moisture, I added breadcrumbs and milk. The crock pot is another critical factor to ensuring maximum meatball juiciness. Its signature low and slow method locks in moisture, and it also offers maximum ease and flexibility. Easy, simple, and delicious recipes… the simple reasons for making so many slow cooker recipes. Once the turkey meatballs were mixed, I baked them in the oven for a few minutes to give them a golden exterior and set their shape, then transferred them to the slow cooker with a heaping helping of spaghetti sauce. The longer the meatballs simmer, the more juicy and aromatic they become. (No time for the slow cooker? Check out these Baked Turkey Meatballs!)
Love-Worthy Crock Pot Turkey Meatballs
This crock pot turkey meatball recipe yields a great big batch, and while I considered halving it, I’m glad I didn’t. They freeze beautifully and have already managed to disappear. We enjoyed some turkey meatballs over pasta, some as meatball subs, and I even brought a few to a friend’s as an appetizer. Juicy. Saucy. Zesty. Cheesy. This, my friends, is amore.
How to Freeze Turkey Meatballs
To Freeze AFTER Cooking. Freeze with sauce for up to two months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.To Freeze BEFORE Cooking. Complete the broiling portion, then bake the meatballs at 350 degrees F until cooked through. Freeze separately from the sauce. Let thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then place in the slow cooker, top with sauce, and cook as directed.
Tools Used to Make This Recipe
6 quart programmable slow cookerCookie scoop (the easiest way to make evenly-sized meatball shape for even cooking)
