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    Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

    Nov 2, 2020 / by Laney Schwartz / 34 Comments(updated Jun 1, 2022)
    ★★★★★ from 7 reviews

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    The most delicious Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs, covered in marinara sauce and cooked to perfection!

    Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

    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 alllll 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!

    Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

    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 Thanksgiving menu…you get the point.

    Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

    I decided to go with large meatballs for this recipe! I love how they fill a plate, and the leftovers are fantastic. 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!

    Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

    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
    Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

    More Meatball Recipes

    • The Best Homemade Baked Meatballs and Sauce
    • Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Meatballs
    • Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

    Food photography by Ashley Cuoco

    Print
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    Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

    ★★★★★ 5 from 7 reviews
    • Author: Laney Schwartz
    • Yield: 4 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    The most delicious turkey meatballs, covered in marinara sauce and cooked in a slow cooker to perfection.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 1/2 pounds ground turkey meat
    • 1 small onion, grated
    • 3 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1/2 cup panko or regular breadcrumbs
    • 1 egg (lightly beaten)
    • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
    • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
    • 1 26 ounce jar marinara sauce

    Instructions

    1. 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.
    2. 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 6-6.5 hours. Serve plain, over rice, or with pasta.

    Instant Pot Instructions

    1. 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.
    2. 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.

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    Filed Under: Dinner, Healthy, Instant Pot & Slow Cooker, Turkey Tagged With: meatballs, Slow cooker, turkey, turkey meatballs

    Reader Interactions

      Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

      If you love this recipe, please consider giving it a star rating when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. Your support means the world and is greatly appreciated!

      xo, Laney

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

      Comments

    1. Mary

      November 01, 2021 at 6:13 pm

      Made these yesterday and oh my! So tasty! Another stupid recipe that’s a keeper!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Laney Schwartz

        November 01, 2021 at 7:24 pm

        I can’t wait to make them again this week! So happy you enjoyed!

    2. Hinda

      September 14, 2021 at 10:19 am

      Can I cook these on the stovetop in the sauce? For how long would I need to do?

      Reply
      • Laney Schwartz

        September 14, 2021 at 10:28 am

        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?

    3. Jessie

      January 08, 2021 at 8:36 pm

      Delish! Super easy and tasty recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Samantha

      December 07, 2020 at 4:37 pm

      Can you make these dairy free?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        December 11, 2020 at 8:41 am

        Yes, just leave out the cheese

    5. LaQuetha

      November 14, 2020 at 8:52 pm

      These are amazing!!!! I made half of the recipe and it was delish.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Hailey

      November 13, 2020 at 9:33 pm

      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!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Sylvie

      September 15, 2020 at 1:48 pm

      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!

      Reply
    8. Bridgette U.

      June 07, 2020 at 11:20 am

      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.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        June 11, 2020 at 3:04 pm

        Love the idea of serving it on a roll!

    9. Ari N

      November 29, 2019 at 10:31 pm

      So delicious

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    10. Samita

      October 09, 2019 at 5:33 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        October 14, 2019 at 2:19 pm

        I usually do 93% lean

    11. Lisa

      September 16, 2019 at 11:31 am

      Can the meatballs be baked in the oven?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        September 16, 2019 at 3:41 pm

        Sure!

    12. Afsoon

      September 24, 2018 at 6:53 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        September 25, 2018 at 1:31 pm

        Yay! So glad you like them!

      • Dana

        July 22, 2019 at 1:49 pm

        Could you omit the tomato paste if you don’t have it? ?‍♀️ Lol

      • Life is but a Dish

        July 22, 2019 at 8:34 pm

        yes!

    13. Mia Zam

      August 06, 2018 at 7:42 pm

      Is there a way to make this without the egg? My son has an egg allergy…

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        August 07, 2018 at 11:32 am

        Yes you could leave it out and I think it would work fine!

      • Shannon Brock

        August 17, 2019 at 1:20 pm

        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.

    14. Jerry

      February 20, 2018 at 12:42 pm

      Can these be frozen?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        February 21, 2018 at 2:38 pm

        Yes!

    15. Mia

      July 11, 2017 at 2:32 am

      I want to make these this week, do you think I could substitute the breadcrumbs for almond meal?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        July 13, 2017 at 1:14 pm

        Yes!!

    16. Lisa Davis

      January 16, 2017 at 6:22 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        January 16, 2017 at 9:46 am

        Yes! Could definitely cook on high!

    17. Cassie

      January 05, 2016 at 6:18 pm

      Do you have the nutritional info for this recipe?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        January 06, 2016 at 1:11 pm

        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!

    18. Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats

      November 22, 2015 at 10:31 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        November 22, 2015 at 1:09 pm

        I know, crazy right!!?? I can’t believe it took me so long either! xoxo

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