how do you keep meatballs from falling apart in a crock pot

These slow cooker meatballs are the easiest meatballs you’ll ever make. Slow cooked to perfection in the instant pot in a deep red wine sauce, making it the perfect midweek or Sunday Dinner.

These hearty slow cooker meatballs are a hit every single time. Slow cooked in a rich marinara sauce right in your crock pot or instant pot, leaving you with delicious meatballs to top over your noodles or in subs.

When it comes to Sunday dinners and or slow cooked meals, they should be fuss free but have the illusion that you have been standing on top of a hot stove all day.

There are only a few ingredients that truly make a difference in the overall texture of these meatballs. These ingredients are soaked bread and the red wine.

Let’s start with the bread. I grew up watching my family add soaked bread to meatballs as a binding agent. However, another reason is that the bread will keep the meat soft. Using real bread instead of breadcrumbs makes a whole world of difference in the texture of the meat, as it will make the meatballs tough.

You do not need a lot of liquid to soak or breakdown the bread. About ½ cup of water for every two slices of bread will do the trick.

Next, is the wine. Good quality wine is key. It is highly recommended that you use red wine. If you are worried about the alcohol in the wine, don’t worry. It will evaporate.

The key to making the best slow cooked meatballs in a deep red wine pasta sauce, is to use good quality ingredients; this also include the wine.

Purchase high-quality crushed tomatoes if you decide to add crushed tomatoes to the sauce, use fresh parsley instead of dried parsley flaked, and more importantly use a red wine that you actually DO enjoy drinking.

If budget is a concern, you can opt in for a lower cost red wine, but the intensity and the flavor of the wine will make a difference in the sauce as it will help provide that red dark burgundy color.

1. Massage your meat. True story. …
2. Add breadcrumbs. …
3. Add egg. …
4. Don’t add much apart from meat. …
5. Roll your meatballs in flour. …
6. Give your meatballs space. …
7. Shake your meatballs. …
8. Brown your meatballs first.

Tips For Making The Best Slow Cooker Meatballs

These Slow Cooker Meatballs are made with ease and is very comforting. The meat is very tender, and we have some tips to keep in mind when making this dish.

After you have added the ingredients, carefully stir the ingredients to make sure that everything is well incorporated. The purpose of slow cooking is to allow the food to cook evenly at a low temperature.

Browning your meatballs first will help them stay intact. That way, the meat does not fall apart as they slowly cook. Browning the meat first will also provide texture and color. You can do this in the oven as we have done in this recipe or on the stovetop.

Grate your onions if you do not want to dice or mince your onions.

Use fresh ingredients as much as possible.

Absolutely no peeking. Allow the instant pot or the crockpot to do the job for you. If you stop the crock pot or instant pot, this will bring down the temperature plus you’ll have to start all over again. Which means, more time will be needed for the meatballs to cook.

Are Meatballs OK If Left Out Overnight?

We do not recommend leaving the meatballs out overnight as bacteria will grow rapidly. Cooked meat should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Meatballs Recipe | Crockpot Meals

How do you keep meatballs from falling apart in a slow cooker?

To keep your meatballs from falling apart in a slow cooker is properly bind the meat by using bread, breadcrumbs, or eggs. Browning the meat will also help the meat from falling apart as it will provide some texture and will also seal in the natural juices. How Do You Know When Meatballs Are Done In The Crockpot?

Can you cook meatballs in a crockpot?

Once you are done with rolling the meatballs, place them in a cookie tray and bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Set the meatballs aside and begin to assemble the ingredients you need to prepare the sauce. We personally do not have a crockpot, but our instant pot works just as fine.

Can You thaw meatballs in a crockpot?

It depends. If you have time, you can thaw the meatballs in the refrigerator overnight, if not, you are perfectly fine to add them to the crockpot or instant pot without thawing them. How Long Do You Heat Meatballs In Crockpot?

How do you know if meatballs are cooked in a crockpot?

You know your meatballs are done in the crockpot when the timer goes off and also when there is no pink in the middle of the meat. You want to make sure to cook them until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.