Are you ready for a dinner that’s both easy and delicious? My Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs are just the dish you need! These tender meatballs swim in a sweet and savory sauce that will impress your family and friends. Plus, they’re a breeze to make in your slow cooker. In this recipe, I’ll show you how to whip up these tasty bites step by step. Let’s dive in!

$- 1 pound ground beef or turkey - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley - 1 large egg - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper - 1 cup honey - 1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred) - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar - 1 teaspoon ground ginger - 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional for thickening) - 1 tablespoon water (if thickening) You need fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Ground beef or turkey works great for the meatballs. The breadcrumbs give them a nice texture, while the Parmesan cheese adds a rich taste. Don’t forget the parsley; it brightens the dish. For the pantry staples, minced garlic is key. It provides a strong flavor that pairs well with the honey. Salt and pepper will enhance the taste, so don’t skip them. Now, for the sauce, honey is the star. It brings sweetness and a sticky texture. Soy sauce adds saltiness, while apple cider vinegar gives a tangy kick. Ground ginger adds warmth and depth. If you want a thicker sauce, cornstarch and water can help achieve that. Gather all these items before you start. It makes the process smoother and more fun. Enjoy cooking these meatballs! - Combine all the main ingredients in a large bowl. - Use your hands or a spatula to mix until ingredients are thoroughly combined. - Shape the meat mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. - Place the formed meatballs on a baking sheet. - In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and ground ginger. - Transfer the meatballs to the slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the meatballs. Make sure they are coated evenly. - Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours. - If you want a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Stir it into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking. - Use a mixture of ground beef and pork for added flavor. This combo makes the meatballs juicy. - Chill the meat mixture before shaping for better handling. Cold meat is easier to mold. - Adjust honey for sweetness as desired. You can use less if you like it less sweet. - Add red pepper flakes for heat. This gives the sauce a nice kick that most people enjoy. - Serve on a platter with toothpicks for gatherings. This makes it easy for guests to grab. - Pair with rice or pasta for a complete meal. Both options soak up the sauce well, enhancing the dish. {{image_2}} When choosing between ground beef and turkey for your meatballs, consider these points: - Flavor: Beef has a richer taste. It adds depth to the dish. Turkey is lighter and leaner. It can be a great option for those watching their fat intake. - Texture: Beef tends to be juicier, while turkey can be drier. Adding more breadcrumbs or moisture helps turkey stay tender. - Cooking Time: Both options cook similarly in the slow cooker. Ground turkey may need a bit less time if you form smaller meatballs. If you want a meatless version, try using lentils or chickpeas. Both options are great for texture and protein. - Lentils: Cooked lentils mash well and hold the shape. They blend great with spices and sauce. - Chickpeas: Use mashed chickpeas for a nutty flavor. They add a nice crunch when mixed with breadcrumbs. You can switch up the sauce for new flavors. Here are some tasty alternatives: - BBQ Sauce: For a smoky, sweet taste, use your favorite BBQ sauce. It pairs well with ground turkey. - Sweet and Sour Sauce: This sauce gives a tangy twist, perfect for a fun dish. Experimenting with these variations keeps the recipe fresh and exciting. Enjoy the creativity in your kitchen! To store cooked meatballs in the fridge, let them cool first. Place them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for up to four days. When reheating, use the microwave or stovetop. Heat until warm, but do not overcook. This keeps them juicy and tender. For the best taste, freeze meatballs and sauce separately. Use freezer bags or containers. Make sure to remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. You can store them for about three months. When you want to eat them, thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat them on the stove or in the microwave. To prep meatballs ahead of time, mix the ingredients in a large bowl. Shape them into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour. Once firm, transfer them to a freezer bag. This way, you can pull out a few meatballs for busy nights. Cook them straight from frozen or thaw first for quicker cooking. Yes, you can prepare these meatballs in advance. Mix the meatball ingredients and shape them into balls. Place them on a baking sheet and cover. You can store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. This way, you save time when you're ready to cook. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Just make sure to wrap them well. Thaw them in the fridge before cooking. Leftover meatballs can last up to four days in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. If you want to store them longer, freeze them. Frozen meatballs can stay good for about three months. Just remember to cool them down before you put them in the freezer. This helps prevent ice crystals from forming. Yes, you can cook these meatballs on the stovetop. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a little oil to the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Once browned, pour the honey garlic sauce over them. Cover and simmer on low for about 15-20 minutes. This method gives you a nice crust on the outside while keeping them juicy inside. This blog shared a simple way to make tasty honey garlic meatballs. You learned about the key ingredients needed, from ground beef or turkey to garlic and honey. The step-by-step instructions made cooking easy, even for beginners. I also shared tips to enhance your meatballs and sauce, plus storage advice for leftovers. Try these recipes for gatherings or meal prep. With just a few tweaks, you can customize them to fit your taste. Enjoy the process, and happy cooking!$

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

– 1 pound ground beef or turkey

– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

– 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

– 1 large egg

Pantry Staples

– 2 cloves garlic, minced

– 1/2 teaspoon salt

– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce Ingredients

– 1 cup honey

– 1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)

– 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

– 1 teaspoon ground ginger

– 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional for thickening)

– 1 tablespoon water (if thickening)

You need fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Ground beef or turkey works great for the meatballs. The breadcrumbs give them a nice texture, while the Parmesan cheese adds a rich taste. Don’t forget the parsley; it brightens the dish.

For the pantry staples, minced garlic is key. It provides a strong flavor that pairs well with the honey. Salt and pepper will enhance the taste, so don’t skip them.

Now, for the sauce, honey is the star. It brings sweetness and a sticky texture. Soy sauce adds saltiness, while apple cider vinegar gives a tangy kick. Ground ginger adds warmth and depth. If you want a thicker sauce, cornstarch and water can help achieve that.

Gather all these items before you start. It makes the process smoother and more fun. Enjoy cooking these meatballs!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Mixing the Meatball Mixture

– Combine all the main ingredients in a large bowl.

– Use your hands or a spatula to mix until ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Shaping and Cooking

– Shape the meat mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.

– Place the formed meatballs on a baking sheet.

Preparing the Honey Garlic Sauce

– In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and ground ginger.

– Transfer the meatballs to the slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the meatballs. Make sure they are coated evenly.

Slow Cooking Process

– Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.

– If you want a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Stir it into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Tips & Tricks

Perfecting the Meatballs

– Use a mixture of ground beef and pork for added flavor. This combo makes the meatballs juicy.

– Chill the meat mixture before shaping for better handling. Cold meat is easier to mold.

Sauce Customization

– Adjust honey for sweetness as desired. You can use less if you like it less sweet.

– Add red pepper flakes for heat. This gives the sauce a nice kick that most people enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

– Serve on a platter with toothpicks for gatherings. This makes it easy for guests to grab.

– Pair with rice or pasta for a complete meal. Both options soak up the sauce well, enhancing the dish.

Variations

Beef vs. Turkey

When choosing between ground beef and turkey for your meatballs, consider these points:

– Flavor: Beef has a richer taste. It adds depth to the dish. Turkey is lighter and leaner. It can be a great option for those watching their fat intake.

– Texture: Beef tends to be juicier, while turkey can be drier. Adding more breadcrumbs or moisture helps turkey stay tender.

– Cooking Time: Both options cook similarly in the slow cooker. Ground turkey may need a bit less time if you form smaller meatballs.

Vegetarian Option

If you want a meatless version, try using lentils or chickpeas. Both options are great for texture and protein.

– Lentils: Cooked lentils mash well and hold the shape. They blend great with spices and sauce.

– Chickpeas: Use mashed chickpeas for a nutty flavor. They add a nice crunch when mixed with breadcrumbs.

Different Sauces

You can switch up the sauce for new flavors. Here are some tasty alternatives:

– BBQ Sauce: For a smoky, sweet taste, use your favorite BBQ sauce. It pairs well with ground turkey.

– Sweet and Sour Sauce: This sauce gives a tangy twist, perfect for a fun dish.

Experimenting with these variations keeps the recipe fresh and exciting. Enjoy the creativity in your kitchen!

Storage Info

Refrigeration

To store cooked meatballs in the fridge, let them cool first. Place them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for up to four days. When reheating, use the microwave or stovetop. Heat until warm, but do not overcook. This keeps them juicy and tender.

Freezing

For the best taste, freeze meatballs and sauce separately. Use freezer bags or containers. Make sure to remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. You can store them for about three months. When you want to eat them, thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat them on the stove or in the microwave.

Meal Prep Ideas

To prep meatballs ahead of time, mix the ingredients in a large bowl. Shape them into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour. Once firm, transfer them to a freezer bag. This way, you can pull out a few meatballs for busy nights. Cook them straight from frozen or thaw first for quicker cooking.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare these meatballs in advance. Mix the meatball ingredients and shape them into balls. Place them on a baking sheet and cover. You can store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. This way, you save time when you’re ready to cook. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Just make sure to wrap them well. Thaw them in the fridge before cooking.

How long do leftover meatballs last?

Leftover meatballs can last up to four days in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. If you want to store them longer, freeze them. Frozen meatballs can stay good for about three months. Just remember to cool them down before you put them in the freezer. This helps prevent ice crystals from forming.

Can I cook these meatballs on the stovetop?

Yes, you can cook these meatballs on the stovetop. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a little oil to the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Once browned, pour the honey garlic sauce over them. Cover and simmer on low for about 15-20 minutes. This method gives you a nice crust on the outside while keeping them juicy inside.

This blog shared a simple way to make tasty honey garlic meatballs. You learned about the key ingredients needed, from ground beef or turkey to garlic and honey. The step-by-step instructions made cooking easy, even for beginners. I also shared tips to enhance your meatballs and sauce, plus storage advice for leftovers.

Try these recipes for gatherings or meal prep. With just a few tweaks, you can customize them to fit your taste. Enjoy the process, and happy cooking!

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

Satisfy your craving with these delicious Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs! This easy recipe combines tender meatballs with a sweet and savory sauce that's perfect for any occasion. Made with simple ingredients like ground beef or turkey, honey, and garlic, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dish ready with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

1 pound ground beef or turkey

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 large egg

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup honey

1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional for thickening)

1 tablespoon water (if thickening)

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef (or turkey), breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. Place the formed meatballs on a baking sheet.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and ground ginger until well combined.

Carefully transfer the meatballs to the slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are coated evenly.

Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.

If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking and mix well.

Once cooked, serve the meatballs warm, drizzled with extra sauce if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 5-6 hours | Servings: 4-6

- Presentation Tips: Serve the meatballs on a large platter, garnished with additional chopped parsley. Pair with toothpicks for easy serving or spoon them over steamed rice for a heartier meal!