Slow-Cooker Sticky Thai Meatballs Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to 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.

Add a lightly beaten egg, but not too much. Egg acts as a binder for the ingredients, but you only need a small amount. One small egg will do for one pound of minced meat. Alternatively, if you're following an egg-free diet, you could soak fresh bread in milk, squeezing out any excess milk, to use as a binder.

Add your frozen, fully cooked meatballs to the slow cooker. Pour in your preferred sauce and give it a stir to coat the meatballs. Use enough sauce to just cover the meatballs. Cook on low for four to six hours.

An egg is usually a good start, as that can help with the tenderness and texture, but the king of meatball binders is breadcrumbs soaked in milk (also known as a panade). Soaking the breadcrumbs first makes them pliable and soggy, which allows them to easily and evenly mix into the ground meat.

One is to make sure your pan is hot enough before adding the meatballs. You can also add a small amount of oil or butter to the pan to help them cook evenly and prevent sticking. Finally, you can use a spoon or spatula to gently turn the meatballs over as they cook.

Milk: Adds moisture and tenderizes the meat, making our meatballs juicy and tender once cooked.

One way to counteract this is to ensure the meatball mixture is cold when you shape it. Done right, it will be firmer and a bit less sticky. An extra step you can take here is to wet your hands with cold water before shaping the meatballs.

Add Milk for Moisture

A little bit of milk will add moisture to your meatballs. (Many people think it's the eggs that add the moisture, but their role is to bind the meat, breadcrumbs, cheese and herbs.)

Do meatballs get more tender the longer they cook in sauce? ›

The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become. 3. Concentration of Flavors: Simmering at a low temperature for an extended period also encourages the sauce to reduce and thicken.

One disadvantage to the slow cooker is that meatballs may fall apart if you put them in the pot raw. By partially cooking the meatballs before you put them in the slow cooker, you can ensure your meatballs do not fall apart.

Collagen makes meat tough when cooked quickly, but when slow-cooked, it breaks down into gelatin, giving you that juicy, tender mouthfeel. Fattier — and cheaper — cuts of beef can also be good for slow cooking, because the fat helps to ensure the beef won't dry out while adding extra flavour.

The low setting is important so you don't overcook it, potentially leaving you with a dry or tough meal. If you're wondering how long your meat will take to cook in a crock pot, we recommend consulting Crockpot's cook time guide for guidance.

Because meat shrinks when cooked, mince proteins are likely to separate and crumble unless bound together. Whether it's breadcrumbs or egg (or both), or simply salt, binding the mince is a crucial step in maintaining the softness of your meatballs while preventing them from falling apart.

It's because you haven't let the collagen break down. Extend the cook time, make sure there's enough liquid and keep an eye on the dish. Slow Cooker Pot RoastWhat if you could get the perfect pot roast with half the work, but double the flavor? Good news: You can.

It's pretty clear that longer cooking does not benefit the meatballs in any way. Just like a sausage, a hamburger, or a steak, the hotter you get them and the longer you cook them, the more moisture they lose.