Meatballs are by far one of my son's favorite meals. We tend to make these gluten-free slow cooker meatballs to put over our favorite gluten-free pasta and he absolutely loves it! Plus, this delicious meal only takes 20 minutes to prep!
Spaghetti and meatballs have been a favorite with kids and adults of all ages for many years. It tends to be a staple in a lot of American households and these gluten-free slow cooker meatballs will allow the tradition to continue in many more households for years to come!
One thing that many people find surprising when switching over to a gluten-free diet is that meatballs typically are not gluten-free. They actually aren't just meatballs as the name suggests!
In order to hold the meatballs together, you need to have a "binder" or something to get the meat to stick in a ball form without falling apart. The typical binders for meatballs tend to be flour, breadcrumbs, or cracker crumbs, which usually are not naturally gluten-free.
Thankfully though, this slow cooker gluten-free meatballs recipe is completely gluten-free so you can enjoy them without worry!
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Tools Used
Why This Recipe Works
Easy- these gluten-free meatballs come together in just 20 minutes! Then once they are prepped, you just pop them in the slow cooker and let them cook for you. Perfect for a busy weeknight meal!
Flavorful- I used ground turkey, egg, and lots of seasoning for these meatballs to keep them moist and flavorful. Then they are seasoned with basil, oregano, garlic, and salt and pepper.
Great for meal prep- make a big batch of these on the weekend and then store them in the fridge or freezer for an easy weekday meal. Just reheat and enjoy!
Ingredients and Notes
Ground turkey- if you do not like ground turkey, you could use ground beef, chicken, or even pork instead if you prefer.
Egg- this helps to bind the meatballs together so they do not fall apart but if you do not eat eggs, you could try a "flax egg" or vegan egg substitute.
Marinara- we just use our favorite marinara sauce for this recipe. Feel free to use any store-bought or homemade marinara, pasta sauce, or even pizza sauce for these meatballs.
- Lean Ground Turkey or Beef
- Beaten Egg
- Almond Flour
- Dried Basil
- Dried Oregano
- Garlic Powder
- Ground Black Pepper
- Fine Sea Salt
- Marinara Sauce
- Cooking Oil Spray
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep
- First, make sure to spray your slow cooker with cooking spray or use a slow cooker liner.
- Second, stir together the meat, almond flour, egg, oregano, basil, garlic, black pepper, and salt in a large bowl until everything is incorporated.
- Next, take 2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll into a ball, and repeat until all of the mixture is used.
Step 2: Cook
- After that, place the meatballs in your slow cooker about one inch apart.
- Following that, pour the marinara sauce over the top of all the meatballs.
- Lastly, cover your slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 3 hours or until the meatballs are tender and reach a temp of 165 degrees F.
Step 3: Serve
Serve these slow cooker meatballs with your favorite sides like pasta, mashed potatoes, or roasted veggies, and enjoy!
Storage and Reheating
If you want to store and reheat your leftover Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Meatballs, you have a few great options!
Best Way To Store
Store any leftover slow cooker meatballs in an airtight container or freezer bag after they have completely cooled.
How Long Will The Leftovers Last In the Fridge?
As long as your gluten-free meatballs are stored properly, they can last in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Can I Freeze Leftover Slow Cooker Meatballs?
Yes, you can! As long as they are properly stored, you can freeze your leftover gluten-free meatballs in the freezer for up to 2 months.
How To Reheat Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Meatballs
If your gluten-free meatballs have been kept in the refrigerator, heat them in the oven at 350 degrees Farenheight for about 15 minutes. Just make sure that the internal temperature of the thick part of the meatball reaches 165 degrees F before serving.
If your gluten-free slow cooker meatballs are frozen, I suggest letting them fully thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Expert Tips
- Top your meatballs with some parmesan cheese before serving for some extra flavor.
- Eat your meatballs with a toothpick as an appetizer or serve them over your favorite gluten-free pasta or zoodles.
- Put your meatballs on some quality gluten-free bread to make a delicious meatball sub!
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Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Meatballs FAQs
There are actually quite a few good brands that make gluten-free meatballs. Our absolute favorite is Rosina Gluten-Free Italian Style Meatballs. We really love grabbing these at our local grocery store to have in a pinch on busy nights. I just dump them into my slow cooker with a jar of marinara and boom, done!
No, they shouldn't. If your meatballs are bound together properly with egg and almond flour, you shouldn't have an issue with them falling apart. However, your can try browning your meatballs first to help them stay intact.
Yes, you can. However, as long as your stick to the proper cooking time and do not go over, your meatballs should be fine. In order to prevent overcooking, just be sure to check the internal temperature periodically to make sure it does not reach higher than 165 degrees F.
You do not need to add breadcrumbs to meatballs in order for them to bind together and cook properly. For example, this gluten-free slow cooker meatballs recipe uses egg and almond flour as binders and they turn out great every time!
Please comment and rate below if you loved this recipe, and don't forget to share with friends and family!
Gluten Free Slow Cooker Meatballs
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey or beef
- 1 large egg beaten
- ⅓ cup almond flour
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- ½ tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 large jar of marinara sauce of your choice or use homemade
- Cooking oil spray
Instructions
- First, make sure to spray your slow cooker with cooking spray or use a slow cooker liner.
- Second, stir together the meat, almond flour, egg, oregano, basil, garlic, black pepper and salt in a large bowl until everything is incorporated.
- Next, take 2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll into a ball and repeat until all of the mixture is used.
- After that, place the meatballs in your slow cooker about one inch apart.
- Following that, pour the marinara sauce over the top of all the meatballs.
- Lastly, cover your slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 3 hours or until the meatballs are tender and reach a temp of 165 degrees F.
- Seve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Expert Tips
- Top your meatballs with some parmesan cheese before serving for some extra flavor.
- Eat your meatballs with a toothpick as an appetizer or serve them over your favorite gluten-free pasta or zoodles.
- Put your meatballs on some quality gluten-free bread to make a delicious meatball sub!
Jessica says
These slow cooker meatballs are easy, delicious, and gluten free!