These slow cooker honey garlic meatballs are a sweet, savory, and incredibly easy appetizer or main course. Perfect for parties, game days, or a simple weeknight dinner, this recipe requires minimal effort and yields maximum flavor. Just toss everything into your slow cooker and let it work its magic!
Ingredients:
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen fully cooked meatballs
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
- Optional: Chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Preparation:
This recipe is ridiculously simple, but let’s walk through it step-by-step to ensure a perfect outcome.
- Step 1: Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and minced garlic. Make sure everything is well combined. This ensures that the flavors meld together nicely and coat the meatballs evenly.
- Step 2: Combine & Cook: Place the frozen meatballs into your slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Step 3: Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The meatballs are ready when they are heated through and the sauce is bubbly.
- Step 4: Thicken (Optional): If you desire a thicker sauce, stir in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This will help the sauce cling to the meatballs even better.
- Step 5: Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and visual appeal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Effortless Cooking: Seriously, this recipe is almost too easy. Just dump everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves meatballs, and the honey garlic flavor is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
- Versatile: Serve them as an appetizer, a main course over rice or noodles, or even in sliders.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can easily prep the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
- Budget-Friendly: Using frozen meatballs makes this a cost-effective meal option.
Serving Suggestions:
- Over Rice or Noodles: Serve the meatballs over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or your favorite noodles. This makes it a complete and satisfying meal.
- As an Appetizer: Serve them on a platter with toothpicks for a party or game day gathering.
- Meatball Sliders: Serve the meatballs on mini slider buns for a fun and tasty appetizer or lunch.
- Alongside Veggies: Serve with steamed broccoli, green beans, or a side salad for a balanced meal.
- With Mashed Potatoes: The sweet and savory sauce is delicious served alongside creamy mashed potatoes.
Tips:
- Don’t Overcook: Avoid overcooking the meatballs, as they can become dry.
- Use Quality Ingredients: While the recipe is simple, using high-quality honey and soy sauce can make a big difference in the flavor.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of honey slightly.
- Homemade Meatballs: If you prefer homemade meatballs, cook them before adding them to the slow cooker. This ensures they are fully cooked and ready to soak up the sauce.
- Spice it Up: For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Low Sodium: Opt for low sodium soy sauce.
Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 2-5 hours Total time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Nutritional Information (estimated, per serving):
- Calories: 250-300
- Protein: 15-20g
- Sodium: 700-900mg (depending on soy sauce used)
Conclusion:
These Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs are a winner! They’re easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party or just need a quick and easy weeknight dinner, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. So, grab your slow cooker and get ready to enjoy a delicious and hassle-free meal!
Q&A:
Q1: Can I use turkey or chicken meatballs instead of beef?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to substitute turkey or chicken meatballs for a lighter option. The cooking time will remain the same.
Q2: I don’t have brown sugar. Can I use white sugar?
A: Yes, you can use white sugar as a substitute for brown sugar. However, brown sugar adds a slightly richer, molasses-like flavor to the sauce. If you only have white sugar, consider adding a tiny splash of molasses for a similar depth of flavor.
Q3: Can I freeze leftover meatballs?
A: Yes, these meatballs freeze very well! Allow them to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Reheat in the slow cooker, microwave, or oven.
Q4: Can I make this recipe in the Instant Pot?
A: Yes, you can! Place the meatballs and sauce in the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release for 10 minutes. If you want to thicken the sauce, use the sauté function after releasing the pressure.
Q5: What sides go well with these meatballs besides rice and noodles?
A: Many different sides complement these meatballs. Consider serving them with:
- Roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts.
- A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette.
- Coleslaw for a creamy and crunchy contrast.
- Mashed sweet potatoes for a sweet and savory pairing.
- Garlic bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
