Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe

Introduction

Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs are a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors, perfect for any occasion. Whether served as a party snack or a main dish over rice, these tender meatballs cooked in honey garlic sauce will satisfy your cravings with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 1 tablespoon water (if using cornstarch)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, making about 20–24 meatballs total.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame oil if using. For a thicker sauce, dissolve cornstarch in water and stir into the sauce.
4. Step 4: Place the meatballs in the crockpot. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the meatballs, ensuring they are well coated.
5. Step 5: Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours or on high for 2–3 hours, until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
6. Step 6: Stir the meatballs gently in the sauce before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired. Serve over rice, noodles, or enjoy as an appetizer.

Tips & Variations

• Use ground turkey, chicken, or pork for different flavors and textures.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce for a spicy kick.
• Substitute ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives or lentils to make a vegetarian version.
• For thicker sauce without cornstarch, reduce the sauce by cooking it separately before adding to meatballs.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months—make sure they cool completely before freezing. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the meatballs and sauce separately a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator. When ready, cook them together in the crockpot.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari instead of soy sauce.

Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 70 reviews

Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs are a delicious and easy-to-make dish featuring tender meatballs cooked slowly in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect as appetizers, party snacks, or a main course served over rice or noodles, these meatballs blend comforting flavors with effortless cooking in a slow cooker.

• Author: lina
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 20–24 meatballs (serves approximately 6) 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Meatballs:

• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 1 tablespoon water (if using cornstarch)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid dense meatballs. Shape the mixture into approximately 20 to 24 meatballs, each about 1 inch in diameter.
2. Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce (or tamari), minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame oil if using. For a thicker sauce, blend the cornstarch and water until smooth, then add it to the sauce mixture and whisk to combine.
3. Cook the Meatballs: Place the meatballs evenly at the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the meatballs, making sure they are well coated. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the meatballs are fully cooked, tender, and infused with the sauce flavors.
4. Serve: Once cooked, gently stir the meatballs in the sauce to coat them evenly. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or enjoy as a flavorful appetizer.

Notes

• To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs and use tamari instead of soy sauce.
• You can use ground turkey, chicken, or pork as alternatives to ground beef for different flavors.
• Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce for a spicy variation.
• Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Prepare meatballs and sauce a day in advance and refrigerate separately for convenience.
• This recipe can be adapted for oven cooking by baking meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, then tossing them in the sauce on the stovetop.

Keywords: honey garlic meatballs, crockpot meatballs, slow cooker recipes, party appetizers, easy dinner recipes