Meet your new go-to dish for parties, game nights, or simply spicing up mealtime: the Light Crock Pot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs Recipe. These flavorful meatballs are tender, juicy, and tossed in a zesty buffalo sauce that’s just the right balance of tangy and spicy. Better yet, they come together with lean ground turkey for a lighter, guilt-free twist that doesn’t sacrifice taste. Whether you’re making these for a cozy family dinner or as the star appetizer at your next get-together, you’ll love how easy, healthy, and downright addictive these meatballs are!

Light Crock Pot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of the Light Crock Pot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs Recipe lies in its simple, wholesome ingredients. Each one brings something special—moisture, crunch, flavor, or color—making sure every bite is tender, tangy, and satisfying.

Lean ground turkey: The light and protein-packed base for our meatballs, keeping things juicy without extra fat.
Whole wheat breadcrumbs: Adds structure and a touch of earthiness, while boosting the fiber content.
Large egg: Acts as the perfect binder ensuring meatballs stay together and moist.
Green onions, finely chopped: Bring a pop of freshness and a gentle onion flavor that pairs perfectly with buffalo sauce.
Garlic, minced: Just two cloves create a rich, aromatic layer that deepens the overall flavor.
Onion powder: A subtle background note that rounds out the savory profile.
Salt & black pepper: Essential for flavor balance—season to your taste but don’t skip them!
Buffalo wing sauce: The star of the show, providing that crave-worthy, spicy-tangy kick.
Unsalted butter: Adds silkiness and helps mellow the heat of the buffalo sauce.
Chopped parsley or green onion for garnish (optional): A touch of green for a fresh finish—totally optional but highly recommended!

How to Make Light Crock Pot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Meatball Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine your lean ground turkey, whole wheat breadcrumbs, egg, green onions, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a sturdy spoon, mixing until everything is just incorporated. Overmixing can make the meatballs dense, so be gentle—think of it as coaxing all the flavors together rather than aggressively mashing!

Step 2: Shape the Meatballs

With damp hands (they seriously help keep things less sticky), shape the mixture into 1 ½-inch balls. This size is perfect for both appetizers and meal portions. Set them aside on a baking sheet or plate so you’re ready to brown them in batches.

Step 3: Brown the Meatballs

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and coat it lightly with nonstick spray. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning to get an even sear on all sides. You don’t need to cook them through yet—just develop a golden crust which adds delicious flavor. Each batch will take about 5–7 minutes, so grab a sip of coffee or dance around the kitchen while they brown!

Step 4: Transfer to Crock Pot

Once browned, place all the meatballs into your crock pot. Don’t worry if they’re stacked a bit; they’ll finish cooking gently and evenly in the slow cooker.

Step 5: Make the Buffalo Sauce

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter, then stir in the buffalo wing sauce. This simple step yields a sauce that’s both velvety and tangy, with a mild richness that’s just irresistible.

Step 6: Coat and Cook

Pour the warm buffalo sauce mixture over the meatballs in the crock pot. Give everything a gentle toss to coat, being careful not to break up your beautiful meatballs. Cover and cook on low for 2–3 hours, until the meatballs are completely cooked through and tender enough to melt in your mouth.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Carefully lift out the meatballs and arrange on a platter, drizzling extra buffalo sauce over top. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or additional green onions if you want that vibrant “wow” factor.

How to Serve Light Crock Pot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Garnishes

A simple sprinkle of fresh parsley or extra green onion brings color and brightness, but you can also go classic with crumbled blue cheese or a drizzle of ranch dressing. These touches not only amp up flavor but make your Light Crock Pot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs Recipe look even more irresistible for guests or family.

Side Dishes

Pair your meatballs with cool celery and carrot sticks to mimic that beloved buffalo wings experience, or serve them atop fluffy rice, quinoa, or a crisp green salad for a hearty, balanced meal. Mashed potatoes or roasted sweet potatoes are also fantastic—think comfort food with a spicy twist!

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Light Crock Pot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs Recipe into delectable sliders by popping them on slider buns with a dollop of ranch or blue cheese slaw. Or, thread the meatballs onto skewers for fun party bites. For something unexpected, tuck them into romaine lettuce cups for a lighter, hand-held version perfect for entertaining.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Their flavor actually deepens after a day, making for fabulous next-day lunches or snacks!

Freezing

To freeze, let the meatballs cool completely, then place in a freezer-safe container (either cooked or raw but shaped into balls). They’ll keep for up to 3 months. If freezing raw, thaw before browning and slow cooking according to the original instructions for the Light Crock Pot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs Recipe.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or in a covered saucepan over low heat. Add a splash of broth or extra buffalo sauce to keep them moist and saucy—because nobody wants a dry meatball, ever.

FAQs

Can I make the Light Crock Pot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs Recipe spicier or milder?

Absolutely! Choose your favorite buffalo sauce for more or less heat, or mix in an extra dash of hot sauce if you’re after some serious spice. For a milder batch, use a milder buffalo sauce or simply reduce the amount slightly.

Do I have to brown the meatballs before slow cooking?

Browning adds extra flavor and gives the meatballs a lovely crust, but if you’re pressed for time, you can skip this step and add the raw meatballs directly to the crock pot. Just be sure to check for doneness at the end of cooking.

Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?

Yes, ground chicken works beautifully in this recipe! Just be aware that it’s a bit leaner than turkey, so watch the cooking time and be careful not to overcook, keeping that tender texture front and center.

What sauces pair well with the Light Crock Pot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs Recipe?

Classic ranch or blue cheese dressing makes a cool, creamy dip, but you can also try Greek yogurt mixed with herbs for a lighter option. Serve extra buffalo sauce on the side for those who crave an extra kick!

Can I prepare the meatballs a day in advance?

Definitely! You can shape the meatballs and refrigerate them overnight, or even freeze them until ready to cook. Just add a couple of extra minutes if cooking from cold or frozen.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready for a crowd-pleasing, no-fuss meal that brings big flavor without weighing you down, the Light Crock Pot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs Recipe is waiting for you! Give it a try and watch these savory, saucy meatballs disappear in no time—they might just become your new favorite comfort food.

Light Crock Pot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs Recipe

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4.8 from 7 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Light Crock Pot Buffalo Turkey Meatballs are a healthier twist on a classic favorite. Juicy turkey meatballs are simmered in a tangy buffalo sauce for a flavorful and easy dish that’s perfect for parties or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

1 ½ pounds lean ground turkey
½ cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 green onions, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Sauce:

1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Chopped parsley or green onion for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, green onions, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
Form into meatballs: Form into 1 ½-inch meatballs using damp hands.
Brown the meatballs: Lightly coat a skillet with nonstick spray and brown the meatballs in batches over medium heat, turning to brown all sides, about 5–7 minutes total per batch.
Transfer to crock pot: Transfer the browned meatballs to a crock pot.
Make the sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter and stir in the buffalo sauce. Pour over the meatballs in the crock pot and gently toss to coat.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 2–3 hours or until meatballs are fully cooked through.
Serve: Serve warm with extra buffalo sauce drizzled on top and garnish with parsley or green onion if desired.

Notes

For a milder version, use a mild buffalo sauce or reduce the amount slightly.
These meatballs are great as appetizers or served over rice or salad for a full meal.
You can also make them ahead and freeze before slow cooking.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American