Homemade Frozen Meatballs

These Homemade Frozen Meatballs are perfect for throwing in your slow cooker for a delicious appetizer or easy weeknight meal. A great alternative for those store bought frozen meatballs!

Homemade Frozen Meatballs

Whether you like traditional Italian meatballs, zesty Swedish meatballs, or lean turkey meatballs, the options are endless.

These freezer-friendly meatballs are your solution to a quick and easy meal, saving you a trip to the grocery store and cooking time. No more buying a bag of meatballs when you have the best at home!

Trust me when I say, these frozen meatballs will be your new secret weapon for an effortless family dinners.

What type of ground meat works best for meatballs?

​Both pork and beef lend a great flavor to meatballs, which is why I love using a mix of both.

You could use ground chicken or turkey if you prefer, but the taste might be slightly different. I prefer all beef meatballs but they is just a personal preference.

Do I need to thaw them before cooking?

​Yes, for the best result, thaw the meatballs overnight in the refrigerator before cooking. However, if you’re in a pinch, you can cook them from frozen.

Just bear in mind you’ll need to adjust the cooking time.

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Ingredients Needed

Ground Meat – A combination of ground beef and ground pork.

Binder – Plain breadcrumbs or Panko bread crumbs.

Seasonings – Rosemary, thyme, oregano. Substitute Italian seasoning.

​Kitchen staples – Salt, black pepper, large eggs.

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How to Make the Best Frozen Meatballs

First: Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl. Be sure not to over mix or over handle the meat or they will be tough.

Second: Scoop or form them into 2 inch balls. They will shrink slightly during cooking.

Third: Place in a single layer on a baking sheet prepped with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Bake until cooked through.

Fourth: Remove and cool completely. Freeze on a baking sheet to keep them from sticking. Store in an airtight container or freeze safe bag until ready to use.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

How to Cook Frozen Meatballs

Oven: Preheat oven to 350F. Arrange frozen meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and cook 15-20 minutes or until internal temp reaches 165F.

Air fryer: Preheat air fryer to 380F. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 9-13 minutes depending on the size. Check internal temperature.

Crock pot: Place frozen meatballs in the slow cooker and add sauce. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. 

Stove top: Place frozen meatballs in a skillet or pot. Add your favorite sauce and cook on medium for 20-30 minutes or until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve them with white rice or egg noodles and your favorite sauce or gravy. 
• Make meatball subs topped with your favorite pasta sauce and lots of Parmesan cheese.
• Slather in BBQ sauce and serve with corn and baked beans.
• ​Combine with chicken broth and other ingredients for an Italian Wedding Soup.

How can I make sure my meatballs are the same size?

Using a ice cream scoop or cookie scoop can help ensure that all your meatballs are uniform in size.

You can also portion them out and weight them if you don’t have a scoop. This is not just for looks – it also helps the meatballs cook evenly.

How long do they last?

These homemade meatballs can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure they are sealed in airtight containers or freezer bags to keep them fresh.

Can I freeze raw​ meatballs?

Yes, you can freeze raw meatballs. However, I find that pre-cooking them before freezing provides a better texture and flavor when you’re ready to use them.

If you are planning on using them in the crockpot I recommend cooking them beforehand. They tend to fall apart when cooked from raw in the slow cooker.

Can I reheat cooked meatballs directly from the freezer?

​Yes, you can! For the best results, reheat them in the oven at 350F until they’re heated through.

If you’re adding them to a sauce, you can also let them simmer in the sauce until they’re warm.

Should I cook them before putting them in the crockpot?

If your recipe has them cooking for at least 2 hours then you don’t need to thaw them first.

Just heating something through? For a dish that was precooked, like soup, I would thaw them first just to be safe.

Tapas Tips & Tricks

• Make sure you have some fat content in the meat. Too lean = dry meatballs! Ground turkey is great but needs added fat.
• Use fresh herbs but double the amount added.
• Make these gluten free with GF breadcrumbs.
• Don’t over mix or they will get tough so mix as little as possible to combine ingredients for tender meatballs.
• Bread crumbs help bind the meat together. Plain or seasoned is up to you!
• Season your meatballs! Go as basic as possible and use salt and black pepper for more options.
• Make them uniform size for even baking. Use an ice cream scoop! Smaller meatballs will shorten the cook time.
• Cook thoroughly! Internal temperature should be 165F. You can try pan frying but you will have to do it in batches.

The only limit is your imagination. Want more meatball recipes? Check out this list!

1. Meatballs Grape Jelly Chili Sauce
2. Sweet & Sour Meatballs
3. Teriyaki Meatballs
4. BBQ Meatballs
5. Firecracker Meatballs

To see the rest of the list of 40+ Best Meatball Appetizers check out this post.

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This easy frozen meatball recipe is great for baked meatballs that you can use for a traditional dinner like spaghetti and meatballs with marinara sauce or save for tossing in the crockpot for a party appetizer!

{Originally published 9/11/2019 – recipe notes, photos updated to improve reader experience 7/06/2023}

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