Pop these easy homemade turkey meatballs into the slow cooker with a generous portion of tomato sauce and let the crockpot do it’s thing! The result is tender and juicy meatballs that are perfect for pairing with pasta.
I LOVE a slow cooker meal. Minimal prep work, BOMB dinner, tons of leftovers. It’s an absolute weeknight necessity and I rely on mine all the time. These Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs have become an often-requested comfort food in our house. Kids and adults love them, they’re easy as can be…why say no?! They’re also amazing to throw onto a meatball sub!
Not a meatball fan? Then my Turkey Meatloaf is a MUST. It’s a hit every time. If your family loves recipes with ground turkey as much as mine does, here are a few additional favorites with some Mexican flavors. My Turkey Taco Bake, 20-Minute Turkey Taco Skillet, and my Picadillo! All of these are worthy of the weekly meal plan rotation.
Watch how to make it
How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs
It couldn’t be easier. Throw all your ingredients into a big bowl. Combine using a fork (or clean hands), form meatballs, and add them to the slow cooker as you go. Top it with your favorite marinara sauce, close the lid, and go get a manicure. Or take a nap, make cookies, plan your weekend…you get the point.
I decided to go with large meatballs for this recipe! I actually scooped these with an ice cream scoop for easy and uniform meatballs! You could do them any size you like. Sometimes we even go miniature!
How to cook frozen meatballs in the slow cooker?
Yes, you can do this! It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Make the meatballs as instructed (don’t add the sauce).
- Freeze meatballs.
- Place frozen meatballs in the slow cooker with your favorite sauce and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
How to Serve Meatballs
I love how versatile these Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs are! You can make a meal as simple or elaborate as you want. I’d serve them with…
- Rice
- Pasta
- As a main dish next to a salad
- In a sandwich
More Awesome Meatball Recipes
- The Best Oven Baked Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Meatballs with Grape Jelly & BBQ Sauce
- Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Food photography by Ashley Cuoco
The BEST Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Total Time: 49 minute
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Pop these easy homemade turkey meatballs into the slow cooker with a generous portion of tomato sauce and let the crockpot do it’s thing! The result is tender and juicy meatballs that are perfect for pairing with pasta.
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 2 ½ pounds ground turkey meat
- 1 small onion, grated
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup panko or regular breadcrumbs
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
For the sauce:
- 1 26 ounce jar marinara sauce
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients (up through the parsley) to a large bowl. Mix using a fork until combined. Do not over-mix. If mixture seems too wet, add 1 tablespoon at a time of bread crumbs until it’s easy to handle and form into balls.
- Pour a small amount of sauce into the slow cooker. Just enough to cover the bottom. As you form the meatballs, place them in the cooker. I made larger size meatballs (slightly larger than the size of a golf ball) This made about 24. Pour the rest of the sauce over the meatballs and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve plain, over rice, or with pasta.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Add all the ingredients (up through the parsley) to a large bowl. Mix using a fork until combined. Do not over-mix. If mixture seems too wet, add 1 tablespoon at a time of bread crumbs until it’s easy to handle and form into balls.
- Pour a small amount of sauce into the Instant Pot. Just enough to cover the bottom. As you form the meatballs, place them in the pot. I made larger size meatballs (slightly larger than the size of a golf ball) This made about 24. Pour the rest of the sauce over the meatballs. Close lid and turn the valve to seal. Cook on high pressure for 9 minutes, release the pressure and serve plain, over rice, or with pasta.
Comments
Suzanne Simon
This recipe is SO good! I saute the onions ahead of time and (I think) this makes a huge difference with the taste. My family can’t tell that they’re not ground beef.
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Thanks so much for leaving a review!
Emily
Let me just say, Laney isn’t kidding when she calls these “The BEST”! I made them using ground beef and they were incredibly tender and so full of flavor. We put them on meatball subs and then pasta as leftovers. Still great throughout the week. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Thank you Emily! I’m happy you agree with me!
Gina
Can you post the nutrition values?
Jane O
These were the best turkey meatballs (dare I saw any type of meatball) I have ever made!! My husband, who normally turns his nose if I mention ‘turkey’ anything, has now had these 3 days in a row and loves them. They literally melt in your mouth…I didn’t put in the parsley due to a very picky son, and they were still fantastic. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Thank you so much Jane!!
Katia
This was delicious! We will be adding this to our regular dinners! Thank you!
Laney Schwartz
So happy you enjoyed it!
Terry
What is serving size? And can meatballs be frozen?
Laney Schwartz
Yes they freeze well! I’m not good with serving sizes, maybe about 3 or 4 depending on the size.
Mary
Made these yesterday and oh my! So tasty! Another stupid recipe that’s a keeper!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
I can’t wait to make them again this week! So happy you enjoyed!
Hinda
Can I cook these on the stovetop in the sauce? For how long would I need to do?
Laney Schwartz
I haven’t tested it so I can’t say for sure but yes I think you can. You just need to make sure you have a large enough pot. I would say maybe simmer for 40-45 min?
Jessie
Delish! Super easy and tasty recipe!
★★★★★
Samantha
Can you make these dairy free?
Life is but a Dish
Yes, just leave out the cheese
LaQuetha
These are amazing!!!! I made half of the recipe and it was delish.
★★★★★
Hailey
Hi! I follow many of your recipes religiously. Love them all! Wondering if you have any tips for getting the burn message on the instant pot?? I haven’t had great success with my instant pot…thanks for your time!!
★★★★★
Sylvie
my fav! haven’t been able to make this in a few years, but headed back to it as soon as i got a slow cooker again! thinking of yall and sending so much love!
Bridgette U.
This was delish! I used half ground beef and half turkey and that worked out fine. Also used dried parsley since I didn’t have fresh. Definitely will make again. We served it on rolls for a meatball sub. Perfect dinner for summer.
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
Love the idea of serving it on a roll!
Ari N
So delicious
★★★★★
Samita
What fat percentage turkey do you use? I prefer 93% lean as its healthier but wouldn’t want the meatballs to be tough because of the lower fat content. I know 85% lean tastes better too sadly.
Life is but a Dish
I usually do 93% lean
Lisa
Can the meatballs be baked in the oven?
Life is but a Dish
Sure!
Afsoon
Love love these meatballs!! Thank you so much!!! I usually try to pick recipes with veggies in there for my son but these are awesome. They will be our meatball recipe from now on. Thank you!
Life is but a Dish
Yay! So glad you like them!
Dana
Could you omit the tomato paste if you don’t have it? ?♀️ Lol
Life is but a Dish
yes!
Mia Zam
Is there a way to make this without the egg? My son has an egg allergy…
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
Yes you could leave it out and I think it would work fine!
Shannon Brock
There are other binders that you can use in place of egg. if you google it there are ratios of other ingredients to substitute. hope that helps. I used applesauce as a replacement for meatballs when I had run out of eggs.
Jerry
Can these be frozen?
Life is but a Dish
Yes!
Mia
I want to make these this week, do you think I could substitute the breadcrumbs for almond meal?
Life is but a Dish
Yes!!
Lisa Davis
This recipe sounds great! I can’t wait to try it. I was wondering if it is possible to cook them on high for say 3-4 hours vs low for 6 hours? I would love these for a weeknight meal but work until 4:00 each day.
Life is but a Dish
Yes! Could definitely cook on high!
Cassie
Do you have the nutritional info for this recipe?
Life is but a Dish
I do not, but you are welcome to type the exact ingredients you use into an online calorie counter! There are a ton that are free!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats
What?! SIX YEARS?! I’m so glad you finally fell in love with the slow cooker. It’s my assistant in life 🙂 Love these meatballs. I’ve gotta make them!
Life is but a Dish
I know, crazy right!!?? I can’t believe it took me so long either! xoxo