Slow Cooker Guinness Meatballs

📝Shopping list

To make this flavor-packed crockpot Guinness glazed meatballs recipe, you will need: 

• meatballs - I use turkey meatballs but any non-Italian flavored meatballs will do
• Guinness stout - or any other traditional Irish stout beer
• honey
• brown sugar
• tomato paste
• Worcestershire sauce
• dried minced onion
• garlic powder
• salt and black pepper - optional, to taste 

🔪Instructions

This easy recipe just involves a few simple steps:

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

This is one of those slow cooker recipes that is great any time of year, but it is a perfect St. Patrick’s Day dish.  Serve it alongside a slow cooker Guinness beef stew, cabbage and sausage, or The Magical Slow Cooker's Corned Beef & Cabbage.

Garnish meatballs before serving with some chopped green onion or fresh parsley.

🔁Substitution ideas

1.  I love turkey meatballs with this recipe.  However, beef, chicken, pork and veggie balls would all work.  If you will be leaving the meatballs in your crock pot for several hours,  ground beef and pork are better options. Poultry can dry out or get overcooked tasting after an extended period.
2. Not a fan of grocery store frozen meatballs?  Substitute homemade meatballs in this recipe.  Toss assembled meatballs in your slow cooker cover with sauce ingredients, and cook until cooked through.    
3. Try a different stout of your choice in place of Guinness beer.
4. Dice ½ of a large onion in place of the dried minced onion, if that is what you have on hand.
5. Use 4-6 cloves of minced fresh garlic in place of garlic powder.

Storing

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  They will stay fresh for 3-4 days.  

Refreezing previously frozen cooked meatballs is not recommended.  If you use a homemade meatball recipe with your slow cooker Guinness meatball glaze, you can freeze leftovers.  Be sure to use a freezer-safe container.  Frozen meatballs will last for 3 - 4 months.

😉Hints & hacks

1. For homemade meatballs, use an instant-read thermometer  to determine that meatballs are fully cooked through.  When testing, be sure to place the thermometer in the center of meatballs.
2. Easily make a double batch of this recipe by doubling up on all ingredients.  Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to hold it all.  Cooking should not vary all that much.  
3. Meatballs are safe to eat when they reach an internal temperature of 165℉
4. Use a slow cooker liner for easy clean-up. This is a fully optional step. I usually buy liners in bulk for the best per-piece price.However, if you plan to serve right out of the slow cooker, it will look nicer without a liner.  
5. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
6. This is a great meal prep recipe. Add all ingredients, other than the meatballs, to a small bowl and blend mixture.  Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.  When you are ready to cook, just add meatballs and already assembled sauce ingredients to your slow cooker.