Crockpot question...

Crockpot question...

With all this talk about crockpots, I want to start using mine but I have a question..

My mom makes meatballs but puts them in her sauce raw and cooks them for a few hours on the top of the stove.

I've been searching these boards and the internet to see if I could make it like that in the crockpot. All the recipes I find involving chop meat say to brown the meat first.

Does anyone know if it's possible to put the meatballs in the sauce raw? Will they fall apart?

TIA!!!
Deb

Re: Crockpot question...

I put chicken in my crockpot raw...I think that is worse than meatballs..I would do it...

Re: Crockpot question...

Thanks!

I'll try it and let you know how I make out... in case someone else has the same question..

Re: Crockpot question...

Just so you know, last night I made beef stew and put the met in raw...it cooked after a few hours and it was yummy

Re: Crockpot question...

I hate browning meat first .. part of the idea of a crockpot is for less mess .. so when I see a recipe that calls for browning something first .. I don't always do it .. so far .. so good.

I vote .. try it .. and see what happens .. worst thing is .. they fall apart and you have a chunky meat sauce instead of sauce and meatballs!


But I think some people brown their meatballs first to get that crispness on the outside .. which I don't see as being necessary, unless you especially like them cooked that way.

Re: Crockpot question...

Re: Crockpot question...

I actually make the meatballs, brown them in the for about 20 minutes and then toss them in the crockpot. I would love to know how they come out without browning them first.