Discover How Long to Cook Frozen Meatballs in Crockpot
Meatballs are a great dish for gatherings. Frozen meatballs are particularly suitable to be cooked in a Crockpot. Today, I'd like to share my experience with you. How long does it take to cook frozen meatballs in a Crockpot?
How Long to Cook Frozen Meatballs in the Crockpot?
Crockpots usually have low and high settings. The low setting is about 200°F. For regular-sized meatballs, it takes about 2 - 3 hours of simmering. If it's on the high setting, which is about 300°F, it takes about 1 hour. If there are a large number of meatballs, it will take about two hours.
The reason it takes longer to cook frozen meatballs in a Crockpot is that a Crockpot is designed for slow cooking. Frozen meatballs need enough time for the heat to penetrate, gradually thawing and cooking through from the outside to the inside.
In addition, the size of the meatballs also affects the cooking time. If the meatballs are relatively large, about the size of a table tennis ball, it is recommended to cook them on the low setting for 3 - 4 hours and on the high setting for 2.5 - 3 hours. This is because larger meatballs take more time to thaw and cook thoroughly inside.
How to Cook Frozen Meatballs in the Crockpot?
Ingredient Preparation
Prepare frozen meatballs (4 - 5, you can adjust according to the number of people), onion (1, chopped), garlic (2 - 3 cloves, chopped), tomato sauce, salt, black pepper (suitable amount for seasoning), herbs (such as rosemary, thyme or Italian seasoning), broth or water (1 cup to enhance flavor).
Setting the Crockpot
Put the onion, garlic and meatballs into the Crockpot.
Pour in the tomato sauce and broth (or water) and stir well.
Add an appropriate amount of salt, black pepper and herbs according to your taste to enhance the flavor.
Select the Cooking Mode
Select the low setting (LOW) and set it for 3 - 4 hours.
Select the high setting (HIGH) and set it for 1 - 2 hours.
After Cooking
After the cooking is finished, open the Crockpot. Poke the meatball with a chopstick. If there is no blood oozing out, it means the meatball is fully cooked.
If the sauce is not thick enough, turn the Crockpot to the high setting and cook for another 10 - 15 minutes to let the sauce thicken slightly.
Tips
Prepare in Advance: If time allows, thawing the meatballs in advance can shorten the cooking time.
Sauce Selection: Besides tomato sauce, you can use mushroom sauce, curry sauce or other favorite sauces.
Side Dish Pairing: Add root vegetables like potatoes and carrots!
Checking Doneness: During the cooking process, if you're not sure whether the meatballs are cooked, you can poke them with a chopstick or use a meat thermometer. When the internal temperature reaches 71°C (160°F), they are done.
How Long to Cook Thawed Meatballs in Crockpot?
For thawed meatballs, the cooking time will be shorter:
Small meatballs (bite-sized): It takes about 2 - 3 hours on the low setting or 1 - 1.5 hours on the high setting.
Medium-sized meatballs: It may take 3 - 4 hours on the low setting or 1.5 - 2 hours on the high setting.
Large meatballs: It takes a longer time, maybe 4 - 5 hours on the low setting.
Tips
Prepare in Advance: If time permits, thawing the meatballs in advance can shorten the cooking time.
Checking Doneness: You can poke the cooked meatball with a chopstick. If there is no blood oozing out, it means the meatball is fully cooked.
Adding Sauce: Add tomato sauce or other favorite sauces to the Crockpot to make the meatballs more flavorful.
How Long Can Meatballs Stay in the Crockpot on Warm?
Generally speaking, if the meatballs are fully cooked and placed in a Crockpot to keep warm, they can usually be kept warm for 4 - 6 hours while maintaining the taste and flavor of the meatballs.
However, to ensure the freshness and taste of the food, it is recommended to consume within 3 - 4 hours. At this time, the texture of the meatballs will be more compact and will not become loose due to long-term warming.
If you need to keep them warm for a longer time, such as more than 6 hours, it is recommended to turn the Crockpot to the low temperature mode (LOW) to extend the warming time, but it is best not to exceed 24 hours to avoid affecting the quality of the food.
How to Keep Meatballs from Falling Apart in a Crockpot?
Water Temperature Control: When cooking meatballs in a Crockpot, the water temperature should not be too high. It is recommended to heat the water until it is slightly bubbling (about 80% hot) before putting in the meatballs, which can effectively prevent the meatballs from falling apart when heated.
Simmer over Low Heat: After putting in the meatballs, simmer them over low heat for 3 minutes to set the shape, and then adjust the heat according to your needs. If using a Crockpot, it is recommended to simmer on the low setting (LOW) throughout the process.
Avoid Frequent Stirring: After putting the meatballs in the pot, do not stir them frequently to avoid damaging the shape of the meatballs.
Crockpot Settings:
Simmer on Low: It is recommended to simmer on the low setting (LOW) for 4 - 6 hours; if on the high setting (HIGH), simmer for 3 - 4 hours.
Keep Warm Function: Use the keep warm function of the Crockpot to temporarily store the cooked meatballs and consume them within 3 - 4 hours to ensure the taste.
How Do You Reheat Fully Cooked Frozen Meatballs?
There are many ways to reheat frozen meatballs. Common methods include reheating in the oven, on a skillet, in the microwave, and in a Crockpot. Here are the details:
Oven Reheating Method
Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C - 200°C so that the meatballs can be quickly heated when placed in the oven to ensure the heating effect.
Preparing the Meatballs: Take the frozen meatballs out of the refrigerator and place them directly on a baking sheet lined with tin foil or baking paper. Brush a thin layer of oil on the surface of the meatballs.
Heating Time: Put the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 10 - 15 minutes. Adjust the specific time according to the size and quantity of the meatballs.
Skillet Reheating Method
Prepare the Skillet: Select a suitable skillet, turn on medium heat, add a little oil, and turn to low heat when the oil is hot.
Put in the Meatballs: Put the frozen meatballs into the pan. Pay attention not to let the meatballs squeeze each other. Keep a certain distance to ensure even heating of the meatballs.
Heating Process: Turn the meatballs from time to time to ensure even heating. It takes about 8 - 12 minutes of frying until the meatballs are completely heated through and the surface is slightly golden, which will give a better taste.
Microwave Reheating Method
Arranging the Meatballs: Place the frozen meatballs in a microwave-safe container. Arrange them as loosely as possible and do not stack them together to avoid uneven heating.
Heating Power and Time: Heat on medium or medium-high power for 2 - 3 minutes.
Crockpot Reheating Method
Prepare the Bottom of the Crockpot: Add a little broth or water to the bottom of the Crockpot.
Put in the Meatballs: Put the frozen meatballs into the Crockpot and make sure the meatballs are immersed in the broth or water.
Heating Settings: Cover the lid of the Crockpot and select the low heat setting. Generally, heat for 1.5 - 2 hours to let the meatballs be completely heated through.
