Meatballs are a versatile food that can be added to pastas, stews, casseroles and soups. Typical Italian meatballs are made of ground beef, but you can substitute ground turkey breast meat for beef to reduce calories and fat substantially. Turkey contains high quality lean protein with very little saturated fat. A Crock-Pot is a convenient tool for slow-cooking a meal while you are out of the kitchen during the day. Turkey meatballs can be made in a slow cooker, but this dry meat can fall apart without some key ingredients
Step 1
Purchase ground turkey breast meat from your local butcher or grocer. Add seasonings, onions, garlic and other ingredients according to your recipe.
Step 2
Add the egg whites and bread crumbs and combine them into the meat mixture. Apply some vegetable oil onto the palm of your hands and scoop up about 1 tbsp. of the turkey meat mixture to form 1-inch meatballs. Firmly press the meatballs in your palm to pack the meat together. The egg whites and bread crumbs help to prevent the meatballs from falling apart.
Step 3
Place 3 tbsp. of flour in a separate bowl. Dredge each meatball in the flour to coat the entire surface. Heat 2 tbsp. of vegetable oil in a frypan on your stovetop. Lightly fry each meatball until they are golden on all sides. Remove them from from the frypan and let them cool when the turkey meatballs are partially cooked; they will still be slightly raw in the center.
Step 4
Add all the ingredients for the sauce into your slow cooker, according to the recipe you are using. Place the partially cooked meatballs in the sauce and turn the slow cooker on. Set the timer to begin and set the total cooking time.
Tips and Warnings
- To make your turkey meatballs even more flavorful, try adding spices such as dill, lemon pepper, ginger and garlic to the mix. You can also mix in Parmesan and other types of cheeses.
- Though cooking in a slow cooker is a convenient way to make a home-cooked meal, do not leave one unattended for long periods. Ensure that the timer is set accurately and the pot is placed away from any flammable items. Ensure that all utensils and dishware that are exposed to raw meat are washed carefully and separately from other dishes. Also wash your hands thoroughly with soap after you handle the raw meatballs.
Things You'll Need
- Recipe and ingredients for turkey meatballs
- Recipe and ingredients for meatball sauce
- 1 cup Bread crumbs
- 2 to 3 Egg whites
- Flour
- Frying pan
- Oil
- Slow cooker
Member Comments