Slow cooker meatball safety - Ask Extension
I cooked beef meatballs in the slow cooker on high for 2 hours, then turned to low for 8 hours. This morning, some of the liquid was depleted and som...
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Slow cooker meatball safety #917561
Asked September 15, 2025, 1:03 PM EDT
I cooked beef meatballs in the slow cooker on high for 2 hours, then turned to low for 8 hours. This morning, some of the liquid was depleted and some of the meatballs were above the liquid and were just warm to the touch. The liquid was warm. Are they Okay to eat?
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
It would be nice to know if the temperature was at least 140 degrees F. If so your meatballs are ok. It if was in the danger zone 40-140 degrees for more than 2-4 hours it could be risky. Was your slow cooker still running or did something happen? It seems that it might have turned off sometime during the night.
I am wondering if you turned it to warm instead of slow cook after the two hours on high it wasn't up to temperature. I hate to say they are safe especially since it is ground meat and then have you all get sick. Better to be safe than get sick.
I certainly would do some checking on your slow cooker to see why it was only warm and not hot when you checked them.
Hope that helps,
Thanks for using Ask Extension
Nellie Oehler
I am wondering if you turned it to warm instead of slow cook after the two hours on high it wasn't up to temperature. I hate to say they are safe especially since it is ground meat and then have you all get sick. Better to be safe than get sick.
I certainly would do some checking on your slow cooker to see why it was only warm and not hot when you checked them.
Hope that helps,
Thanks for using Ask Extension
Nellie Oehler
