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Slow Cooker Lebanese Meatballs

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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A fun twist on the comfort food classic, your family will love these naturally gluten free Lebanese meatballs seasoned with cinnamon, all-spice and toasted pine nuts. 

Slow Cooker Lebanese Meatballs (Gluten Free) - The Lemon Bowl

January is half-way over, how are you feeling? Are you staying hydrated? Getting enough exercise? Beating those winter blues?

weekend-plans-new-years-resolution-edit-funny-ecard-q3m

Look, I’m not going to kid you. Change isn’t easy. We are habitual creatures and stepping out of our comfort zone isn’t always in our nature but I urge you to stay focused. After all, it only takes 6 weeks to form a habit so stay the course. Trust the process.

Jacob Eating Lunch

Ever since having Jacob, who turns into a pumpkin by 6:46PM every night like clockwork, the slow cooker has become my saving grace. I know I used it a lot after having Asher but with two toddlers I use it more than ever before.

Food Processor Meatballs - The Lemon Bowl

On a perfect day, we spend a couple of hours at the gym in the morning and then I put dinner in the slow cooker while they are eating lunch (ideally one I prepped ahead on the weekend.) This symphonic harmony doesn’t always happen but with a little planning and thought, it happens more often than not.

Slow Cooker Lebanese Meatballs {Gluten Free} - The Lemon Bowl

If you love traditional Italian meatballs, I know you’ll love this Lebanese inspired version scented with warm cinnamon, all spice and toasted pine nuts. They don’t have any bread crumbs so they are naturally gluten free and low carb.

Lebanese Salad - The Lemon Bowl

Serve with bulgur wheat or Lebanese Rice Pilaf and a giant Lebanese Green Salad dressed with plenty of za’atar, garlic and fresh lemon juice. Parent Tip: If you stir in a bit of cucumber yogurt sauce or plain yogurt, the meatballs will cool down right away so your hungry monsters don’t burn their little tongues.

Gluten Free Lebanese Meatballs - The Lemon Bowl

Don’t forget, it only takes 6 weeks to create a life-forming habit. Each day, make a few good decisions then do it again tomorrow.

Stay the course. Trust the process. You’ve got this.

Your fork is waiting.

Slow Cooker Lebanese Meatballs (Gluten Free) - The Lemon Bowl

Slow Cooker Lebanese Meatballs

4.50 stars average
Your family will love these naturally gluten-free Lebanese meatballs seasoned with cinnamon, all-spice, and toasted pine nuts.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours
Serves8
CourseMain Dish
Calories330

Ingredients
 
 

  • ½ cup pine nuts
  • 2 pounds ground turkey 93% lean
  • 1 large onion diced – divided
  • ½ cup parsley
  • 4 tablespoons All Purpose Lebanese Spice Blend divided
  • 32 ounce can tomato puree
  • 32 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • Lebanese Rice Pilaf and plain yogurt – to serve

Instructions
 

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and spread pine nuts out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake until pine nuts are toasted, 5-6 minutes; set aside.
  2. Keep the oven heated to 350 while you prepare the meatballs.
  3. Using a food processor, pulse together ground turkey, 1/2 of the onion (about 1/2 cup diced), parsley and 1/2 of the All Purpose Lebanese Spice Blend (2 tablespoons) until smooth. If you have trouble getting the mixture to combine, add one or two tablespoons of ice water while pulsing.
  4. Line two baking sheets with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop the meatballs using a small cooking scoop and divide evenly between both trays. Bake until half-way cooked, about 10 minutes.
  5. Place partially-cooked meatballs in the slow cooker and add in toasted pine nuts, remaining 1/2 cup diced onion, remaining 2 tablespoons All Purpose Lebanese Spice Blend, tomato puree and crushed tomatoes. Stir once to combine then cover and heat on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours.
  6. Serve over Lebanese Rice Pilaf with a dollop of plain yogurt on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 27.4gProtein: 27.7gFat: 14.6gSaturated Fat: 3.7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10.9gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 1006mgFiber: 6.2gSugar: 14.3g

Liz’s Notes

If you don’t want to make the All Purpose Lebanese Spice Blend, simply use 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon.

Have you tried this?

Let us know how it was!

4.50 from 2 votes

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51 responses to “Slow Cooker Lebanese Meatballs”

  1. stephanie hallgarth Avatar
    stephanie hallgarth

    My twin toddlers pees in the potty for the first time tonight!!!

  2. Heather || Heather's Dish Avatar
    Heather || Heather’s Dish

    I know it sounds crazy, but my little victory today was taking a nap when I needed one. So hard to do sometimes, but I woke up a new woman!

  3. Chris M Avatar
    Chris M

    Surviving the first infant gastroenteritis! Small victories

  4. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    I am working on preparing breakfast the night before – slow cooker oats etc.. to make our lives a little easier!

  5. Kim G Avatar
    Kim G

    These meatballs look great! Your little boy is such a cutie.

  6. Kristen J Avatar
    Kristen J

    I have been going to the gym at lunch while at work as well as meal planning each week. Most days feel rushed and I can’t wait for saturday but it is hopefully making a winter difference!

  7. lynds Avatar
    lynds

    I made it to the gym while working all weekend!

  8. Liz Avatar
    Liz

    Oh, how I love these meatballs—and the giveaway isn’t too shabby either! My little victory for the day is getting to 8 AM yoga and putting in a little treadmill time, too :)

  9. sheila Avatar
    sheila

    one serving is 8 meatballs and a cup of sauce…YES! thank you enough to fill my belly. I am trying to use portion control, but honestly I’m starving. This recipe looks so good! And I love my slow cooker as well!

  10. Aggie Avatar
    Aggie

    Slow cooker meatballs for the win! What an awesome recipe. I’ve made (Italian) meatballs in the slow cooker before and swore it was the best thing ever…now I have to try your recipe! Love this whole idea of a meal (rice + salad), so healthy and I’m positive my whole fam will love.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I hope you try these Aggie! My husband loves anything in meatball form but these are one of his favorites. I bet Larry would love too!