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Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs are a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender meatballs simmered in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. This easy, hands-off recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd, delivering a delicious meal that pairs well with rice, noodles, or veggies.

  • Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Mixture

  • 1 pound ground beef, pork, or turkey
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 garlic cloves, freshly minced (divided)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Honey Garlic Sauce

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water or broth
  • Remaining minced garlic cloves

Garnish

  • Chopped green onions
  • Sesame seeds (optional)
  • Chopped parsley or cilantro (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, and half of the minced garlic. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then mix gently until the ingredients are just combined to keep the meatballs tender.
  2. Shape the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about one inch in diameter. This size ensures they cook through evenly while staying juicy and tender inside.
  3. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, remaining garlic, rice vinegar, and water or broth. This sweet-savory sauce will soak into the meatballs during slow cooking for a delicious glaze.
  4. Assemble in the Slow Cooker: Place the meatballs in the slow cooker, then pour the sauce evenly over them. Gently stir to coat all the meatballs, but avoid breaking them apart.
  5. Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or on high for about 2 to 3 hours. The long cooking time allows flavors to meld and the meatballs to become perfectly tender.
  6. Finish and Garnish: Before serving, give the meatballs a gentle stir to coat them fully in sauce. Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or chopped parsley for a fresh, vibrant touch.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the meatball ingredients to keep them tender and avoid a dense texture.
  • Make meatballs uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
  • Browning meatballs in a skillet before slow cooking adds extra flavor but is optional.
  • Use fresh garlic for the best flavor instead of garlic powder or pre-minced garlic.
  • If the sauce is too thin after cooking, thicken it by cooking uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes or whisk in a cornstarch slurry.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free breadcrumbs and soy sauce)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 meatballs
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 550mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: slow cooker meatballs, honey garlic meatballs, easy dinner, gluten-free meatballs, slow cooker recipes