Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Last Updated on January 12, 2023 by Anne-Marie

Make these slow cooker turkey meatballs for a weeknight dinner. These gluten free crock-pot turkey meatballs will be a hit with your family.

A pile of Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs in a white bowl with a red and white napkin.

Why this recipe works

This recipe for easy gluten free slow cooker turkey meatballs can be made when you get home from school or work since it needs just a couple of hours to cook in the slow cooker.

Though, you can cook your slow cooker turkey meatballs for up to four hours for extra flavor.

Around here I never know when we’re going to sit down for dinner due to evening activities like wrestling practice and bowling nights!

This means having something that can be easily dished up at a moment’s notice like the Best Gluten Free Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs Ever!

This gluten free slow cooker meatballs recipe is so convenient! I always keep ground turkey and turkey sausage in the freezer just so I can make  this easy gluten free dinner dish when the whim hits.

A bowl of Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs and a bowl of pasta with a fork.

Plus, you can feel good about feeding your family this gluten free turkey meatball recipe.

Turkey is a lean, tasty substitution for foods traditionally prepared with beef or pork. Often you’ll find that turkey is a less expensive alternative, too.

Believe it or not, my kids don’t like turkey. However, they gobbled these crockpot turkey meatballs up! They knew they were turkey and gluten free, but didn’t care.

They even fought over who got the leftover meatballs the next day for lunch!

If your kids love meatballs, check out this Best Instant Pot Meatballs Recipe, too.

A bowl of slow cooker meatballs with red and white napkin.

Making these crockpot turkey meatballs is super easy

Prep time takes less than 30 minutes since you can use your favorite premade spaghetti sauce in this gluten free turkey meatball recipe.

Just double check the label to make sure it’s gluten free and doesn’t have any ingredients you may want to avoid like MSG or dairy.

To keep these meatballs gluten free, I used gluten free Kinnikinnick Panko Bread Crumbs. I love this brand of gluten free bread crumbs and use them for making meatballs, meatloaf, and Gluten Free Mac & Cheese Casserole with Peas, Carrots & Ham.

Use a large ice cream scoop to measure out the perfect amount of turkey meat and boom – you’ve got gorgeous gluten free turkey meatballs!

There’s no need to cook the meatballs in the oven or sauté them in a skillet. Easier than you thought, right?

Prep your gluten free meatballs recipe in the morning, so you can plop them in your Crock-Pot when you get home from work or school.

Use slow cooker liners for quick and easy cleanup, too. No need to soak and scrub!

Closeup of a bowl of Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs with a bowl of pasta in the background.

More tips for making the slow cooker turkey meatballs

Make a double recipe of gluten free meatballs. Freeze half in Ziploc freezer bags or plastic freezer containers for another busy school night.

Serve Gluten Free Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs with your favorite gluten free pasta. One of my favorites is Barilla Gluten Free Pasta.

Leftover gluten free turkey meatballs make great sandwiches. Serve on your favorite gluten free bread with a slice of mozzarella cheese and extra sauce.

Slice the meatballs so they fit in the sandwich better. You can preheat the meatballs in the microwave, if you wish, or serve them cold. Delicious both ways!

Yield: 9 SERVINGS

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Make these crock-pot turkey meatballs for a weeknight dinner. These gluten free turkey meatballs will be a hit with your family.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 24-ounce jars marinara sauce
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 1 pound mild Italian lean turkey sausage
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup gluten free panko style bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup minced red onion
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Pour marinara sauce into slow cooker pot and set to low. Cover with lid.
  2. Place the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Using your hands, mix ingredients together until well combined. Remove the lid from the slow cooker.
  3. Using a large ice cream scoop, measure out enough meat for a 2-inch meatball. Shape the meatball with your hands and place gently into the sauce. There will be enough for about 18 meatballs.
  4. Place each meatball in the crock so it’s covered with sauce. It’s OK if the meatballs are touching.
  5. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 hours until they reach an internal temperature of 165 F. Serve on your favorite pasta.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

9

Serving Size:

3 meatballs

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 377Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 144mgSodium: 1629mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 4gSugar: 10gProtein: 32g

Nutritional information is automatically calculated per the ingredients list. Serving size may not be accurate. Please double-check with your preferred nutritional app for the most accurate information.

4 thoughts on “Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs Recipe

  1. M. J. Simon

    Tonight is the fourth time we have put this recipe on. My wife, who is sensitive to wheat and other glutinous grains, specifically asked me to make it.

    I am surprised that no one has yet reviewd it. So, because I guess I am tired of Food Channel, Rachel Ray, Epicurious, and other heavies sucking all of the air out of these searches, I will carry this platter.

    This is a great, flavorful Italian meatball recipe. We never notice the difference in taste between the traditional beef, pork and sausage varieties. They are light , flavorful and, easily accept additional tastes such as our favorite-grated parmesan rinds. It handles freezing well, so we look forward to three or four great comfort meals.

    Buon appetito!

    Reply
    1. M.J.Simon

      This is our seventh or maybe tenth time for us.. Traditional Italian meatballs, esp. If you are not using the meatball holy combo of beef, and pork sausage are a real challenge. Meatballs should not be dense but have substance. They should be flavorful but not lacking in tradition. And even if you make them baseball size and nest them atop the pasta, they should not lose their basic integrity or flavor.

      So, thanks, Mama. Great recipe. Oh, one teeny suggestion:. If you like Sicilian, grind 1/2 TS of dried fennel seed and mix it in to Mama’s mix. Ciao.

      Reply
  2. Jackie Lee

    Looks like a great recipe for my gluten sensitive daughter! She cannot have eggs, can you recommend a good substitute?

    Reply
    1. Anne-Marie Nichols Post author

      Jackie, you could try one of the egg substitutes. But I’d be concerned that the meatballs would fall apart. I used to make egg free meatloaf for my daughter and it would always fall apart.

      Reply

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Recipe rating: 5 4 3 2 1