Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tahini Sauce

📝Shopping list

To make these amazing crockpot meatballs, you will need:

• Frozen meatballs* - I use turkey, but you are not limited to that
• Tahini
• Olive oil
• Lemons - you will use the juice of both lemons and the zest of just one lemon
• Garlic - minced
• Salt - kosher salt is my preference, but any will do 
• Pepper
• Water

💜Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Effortless Weeknight Meal: These slow cooker meatballs are a dream for busy weeknights. Simply throw everything in your slow cooker and let it simmer for perfectly cooked, tender meatballs in creamy tahini sauce.
• Packed with Flavor: The combination of tahini, lemon, and garlic creates a bright, vibrant, creamy sauce that is irresistible.
• Family-Friendly: This dish is a crowd-pleaser!  The tahini sauce adds a unique twist that kids and adults alike will love. It will quickly become a go-to recipe that will be requested on repeat! 

Preparing Your Slow Cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.  

Cooking Tahini Meatballs

• 🍋To a greased slow cooker, add tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic clove, salt, and pepper.  
• 🍋Use a whisk to start to combine tahini ingredients.  I recommend using a silicone whisk to avoid risking scratching the surface of your slow cooker.  
• 🍋As you whisk, you may notice that your sauce will start to seize up a bit and become less creamy.  Add water (about a tablespoon at a time) as you whisk. This will help to loosen the sauce.  I generally wind up adding 2-4 tablespoons of water.  The ultimate goal is a smooth and creamy sauce
• 🍋Add frozen meatballs into sauce in slow cooker and stir to coat
• 🍋Cover and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.  
• 🍋Stir one final time to fully incorporate sauce just before serving

🍽Serving suggestions

There is no wrong way to serve these meatballs!  Some favorites to turn this dish into a complete meal include:

• On top of: rice, quinoa, orzo, couscous, mashed potatoes, or riced cauliflower
• Next to: Zucchini and squash, roasted assorted veggies, a garden salad, or a whole roasted cauliflower. 
• Wrapped up in: pita bread, naan bread, or even a large tortilla 
• Topped with: a dollop of tzatziki sauce, a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts, and a single layer of some finely chopped fresh herbs.

🔁Substitutions*

• Meatballs: I generally use ground turkey meatballs for this recipe.  They blend beautifully with the sauce and are easy to find pre-made in the grocery store freezer.  Ground chicken, ground pork, ground beef, and  ground lamb meatballs would all be delicious.  If using pre-made frozen meatballs, stay away from Italian blend meatballs as the final flavor will be altered.  
• Lemon:  If you don't have fresh lemons, use 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice for the juice and omit the zest.  Lime juice can also work in a pinch, but will have a slightly different flavor profile.
• Garlic:  For a milder flavor, use less garlic or substitute with garlic powder (½ teaspoon).
• Spices:  Feel free to adjust the salt and pepper to taste.  You can also experiment with other spices like cumin, coriander, or smoked paprika for a different flavor twist.

Storing

Store leftovers in airtight containers or zip-top bags.  They can be gently reheated and enjoyed for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. 

😉Hints & hacks

1. Serve this meatball dish as either a main dish or an appetizer. When serving as an appetizer, I like to use small meatballs that can be served on a toothpick and eaten in one bite.  
2. The safest way to cook anything in your slow cooker is always to check the internal temperature before serving.  Meatballs are considered safe to eat when the center most meatball in your slow cooker has reached 165 F.  A meat thermometer is the best way to test this.  
3. This is an easy meal to make for a crowd!  It can easily be doubled or even tripled!  Just be sure that all meatballs are fully cooked prior to serving.  
4. I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price. 
5. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
6. Don't forget to turn on (and plug-in!) your slow cooker!!  There is nothing worse than coming home to a cold slow cooker 😔!