which is the better way to cook meatballs?

Question

Im making meatballs from scratch, when I make them in the slow cooker, I can't use the sauce because its loaded with all the fat (I use lean meat), should i brown them a little in a pan first , that way i would be able to drain some fat.

Answer 1

cook them in the oven at 350 for about 30 to 40 mins in a glass baking dish, be sure to spray the inside with olive oil to prevent sticking. Also use a low fat ground beef, something like 93/7 from the fresh meat dept at your store. You could also try mixing half low fat beef and half ground turkey. You will never know the difference.

You can then drain the fat from the glass dish and finish off your sauce in the slow cooker after the meatballs are done.

Answer 2

Dear Mrs. Krasinski:

This is a neat and easy way to cook meatballs: in the microwave!

Method: arrange meatballs in a 9 or 10 inch pie plate (I use glass);...you can make a double row if you have a lot. Cover with paper towel or microwave lid.

Cook in microwave, HI power....I usually do them about 5 mins. and then check and turn over and cook another 5 mins. or so. You can check for doneness.

The fat drains off and you can then lift you meatballs with a slotted spoon and put into your sauce or casserole.

I've been doing this for years and it works well. You can make your meatballs the usual way...add onions and spices, etc.

Also, the microwave does a nice job when cooking fresh cranberries to make cranberry sauce!

gere

Answer 3

You CAN use that sauce. There are two ways to get rid of that fat.
1] Using a ladle, put the base in the sauce and slightly tip the ladle’s lip in the direction of the fat. The fat [and some of the sauce] will go in the ladle. Put the contents of the ladle in a bowl and let it cool.
2] Still too much fat OR you think the ladle technique will take too much sauce?
Use a few clean paper towels and lay them flat on top of the sauce. The paper towels will absorb the fat. Using a spoon or tongs, remove the paper towels and put them in a bowl or directly in the trash or garbage.

Repeat the process until the great majority of the fat is soaked up by the paper towels.

What do you do with the fat and/or paper towels? You can dispose of it with your trash or garbage.
A] PLEASE DON'T put it down any drain then try to get rid of it using hot water.
B] PLEASE DON'T flush it in the toilet. When it cools it could clog your pipes.

Thank you for asking your question. I enjoyed taking the time to answer your question. You did a great job - not only for your information, but for every other person interested in reading my answer. Thanks to everyone for reading my answer.

I wish you well!

VTY,
Ron Berue
Yes, that is my real last name.

Answer 4

I bake mine in the oven first, drain that, and then slow cook. Also, a time-saver is to put your meat mixture in a rectangular pan, then slice the mixture into the size you want. This makes a slightly square meatball, but it saves a lot of time and mess!

Answer 5

I brown them in a frying pan with veggie oil... I have never made my meatballs by putting them in the sauce. My mom has baked them in the oven too.. Thats a way to get the fat out also.. Good luck happy eating

Answer 6

Bake them on a rack over a sheet pan (so they can drain) at a high heat, about 400-425ºF... THEN add to your crockpot. But they shouldn't go for 8 hours or anything.... 2-3 on low should be fine.

Answer 7

Bake them first, then put them in a bowl, and put them into the refridgerator. Let them cool completly, then put them in your sauce in the crockpot. ALL meat has a gelatin that holds it together. Completly cooling the meat, cools the gelatin and makes the meat stay together better.

Answer 8

I always bake mine until nice and brown and the fat is mostly out. Then I place them in my sauce, whether in a pot on the stove or in the crockpot.

Answer 9

Absolutely! They will hold their shape better also if you brown them first.