Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs
Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs are an easy and flavorful dish that brings together tender meatballs, sweet honey, savory garlic, and a delicious sauce. The slow cooker does most of the work, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, parties, and holiday gatherings.
The combination of honey and garlic creates a rich sweet and savory flavor that coats every meatball. You only need a few simple ingredients and a little preparation before letting the crockpot slowly cook everything together.
If you are looking for an easy appetizer or a simple dinner idea, these Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs are a great choice. They can be served with rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or vegetables for a complete meal.
Ingredients List
For this Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
Serving, Prep Time, Cooking Time, and Calories
Servings: 6 to 8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 3 to 4 hours on High or 5 to 6 hours on Low
Total Time: About 4 to 6 hours
Calories: Approximately 320 calories per serving
Calories can vary depending on the type and brand of meatballs used.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker Preparation
The crockpot makes this recipe incredibly simple. After mixing the sauce and adding the meatballs, you can let the slow cooker handle the cooking.
Sweet and Savory Flavor
Honey adds natural sweetness while garlic, soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil create a savory flavor. The combination makes every bite delicious.
Great for Busy Days
Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs are ideal when you want a meal that requires very little hands on preparation. You can prepare the ingredients quickly and let them cook while you focus on other things.
Perfect for Parties
These meatballs make an excellent party appetizer. Keep them warm in the crockpot and serve them with toothpicks for an easy snack.
Family Friendly
The sweet and savory sauce has a balanced flavor that works well for family dinners. You can also adjust the sauce ingredients to suit your taste.
Step By Step Instructions
Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, and black pepper. Whisk until the ingredients are well combined.
Add the Meatballs
Place the frozen or fully cooked meatballs into the crockpot. Spread them evenly so the sauce can coat them properly.
Pour in the Sauce
Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the meatballs. Stir gently to coat the meatballs without breaking them apart.
Cook the Meatballs
Cover the crockpot with the lid. Cook on High for about 3 to 4 hours or on Low for 5 to 6 hours. Stir gently once or twice during cooking if convenient.
Thicken the Sauce
About 15 to 20 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with water in a small bowl. Stir until smooth. Add the mixture to the crockpot and gently stir.
Cover and continue cooking until the sauce becomes slightly thicker and glossy.
Garnish and Serve
Once the meatballs are hot and coated with the thickened sauce, sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the top. Serve immediately.
Variations To Try
Spicy Honey Garlic Meatballs
Add a small amount of red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce to give the sauce a little heat.
Teriyaki Style Meatballs
Replace part of the soy sauce with teriyaki sauce for a slightly sweeter and richer flavor.
Turkey Meatballs
Use fully cooked turkey meatballs instead of traditional beef or pork meatballs for a lighter variation.
Pineapple Honey Garlic Meatballs
Add small pineapple chunks to the crockpot for a tropical sweet and savory combination.
Extra Garlic Meatballs
If you love garlic, increase the amount of minced garlic for a stronger garlic flavor.
Freezing Or Restoring
Cooked Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
For longer storage, allow the meatballs and sauce to cool completely before placing them in a freezer safe container. Freeze for up to 2 to 3 months.
To reheat, thaw the meatballs in the refrigerator overnight. Warm them gently in a saucepan, microwave, or slow cooker until heated through. Add a small splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick.
Recipe Notes
Use fully cooked meatballs for the easiest preparation.
Frozen meatballs can be added directly to the crockpot without thawing.
Taste the sauce before adding extra salt because soy sauce already provides plenty of seasoning.
For a thicker sauce, use the cornstarch mixture near the end of cooking.
Avoid opening the crockpot lid too frequently because this can increase the cooking time.
For a party, keep the finished meatballs on the slow cooker’s warm setting and serve them with toothpicks.
FAQs
Can I use frozen meatballs?
Yes. Frozen fully cooked meatballs work very well in this recipe. You can add them directly to the crockpot.
Can I use homemade meatballs?
Yes. Fully cooked homemade meatballs can be used instead of frozen meatballs. Make sure they are cooked properly before adding them to the slow cooker.
How long do Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs take to cook?
They usually take about 3 to 4 hours on High or 5 to 6 hours on Low, depending on the slow cooker and the type of meatballs used.
Can I make these meatballs spicy?
Yes. Add red pepper flakes, chili sauce, or a little hot sauce to the honey garlic sauce for extra heat.
What can I serve with honey garlic meatballs?
They taste delicious with steamed rice, mashed potatoes, noodles, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.
How do I make the sauce thicker?
A simple cornstarch and water mixture can be added near the end of cooking. Allow it to cook for about 15 to 20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Conclusion
Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs are a simple recipe that delivers plenty of flavor with minimal effort. The slow cooker allows the meatballs to absorb the sweet, savory, and garlicky sauce while keeping preparation easy.
Serve these meatballs as an appetizer for a gathering or pair them with rice and vegetables for a satisfying family dinner. With simple ingredients, flexible variations, and easy preparation, this Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs recipe is one you can make again and again.
Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs
Course: Appetizers6
servings10
minutes4
minutes320
kcalIngredients
2 pounds frozen or fully cooked meatballs
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
2 green onions, sliced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Directions
- Add the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and black pepper to a bowl. Whisk until well combined.
- Place the frozen or fully cooked meatballs into the crockpot.
- Pour the honey garlic sauce over the meatballs and gently stir to coat them.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours or Low for 5 to 6 hours.
- Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth.
- Add the cornstarch mixture to the crockpot during the last 15 to 20 minutes of cooking. Stir gently and allow the sauce to thicken.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve warm with rice, noodles, mashed potatoes, or vegetables
Recipe Video
Notes
- For the easiest preparation, use frozen fully cooked meatballs. Taste the sauce before adding extra salt because soy sauce already provides seasoning. If you prefer a spicy flavor, add a little red pepper flakes or hot sauce. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
