Life is but a Dish

Easy, approachable recipes for the everyday home cook

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

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I have an obsession.
Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs-5With my slow cooker. You guys, seriously, my slow cooker sat in my cabinet for like 6 years untouched.  I came up with every excuse not to use it… It’s too heavy, I didn’t plan ahead, I don’t know how. When in reality, I was just afraid.  Of what, you ask?  I have no idea, because I have just recently discovered that the slow cooker is my best friend.  Is that sad?

With minimal prep work, you can make yourself a BOMB dinner with lots of leftovers.  I do realize that Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and maybe I should be posting only Thanksgiving recipes? But we still gotta eat dinner every night leading up to the big day!  So why not make it easy on yourself and let dinner make itself.

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs-2Really, it MAKES ITSELF! Set and forget!  I love making meatballs because you can really throw in any flavorings that you like. You can also use ground beef, but I’m personally more of a ground turkey girl.  This time I chose to make the meatballs large and in charge.  This way I only had about six or seven, three or four.

Slow Cooker Turkey MeatballsIt couldn’t be easier. Throw all your ingredients into a big bowl.  Combine using a fork, (or clean hands is even better), form your meatballs and add them to the slow cooker as you go!

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs-3Top with your favorite marinara sauce, close the lid, and go get a manicure. Or take a nap. Or make cookies!  Or plan your Thanksgiving menu.

I love these served over rice, pasta, or just as is with a salad!

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs-4

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Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

★★★★★ 5 from 3 reviews
  • Yield: 4 1x
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Description

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

Scale

Ingredients

  • 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.

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs-6Dinner made easy!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • 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!

  3. 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.

    Reply

    • 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.

  7. 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!

    Reply

  9. 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.

    Reply

  11. 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.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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