Irresistible Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs: Your Ultimate Easy Dinner

These tender meatballs are broiled to perfection for a delightful golden crust, then slow-cooked in a rich, sticky, sweet-and-savory honey garlic sauce. Whether served over fluffy rice, with noodles, or as a flavorful appetizer, they offer an easy dinner solution with maximum flavor and minimal effort.

Growing up, my experience with meatballs was usually limited to the classic Italian-American style, swimming in marinara sauce and tossed with spaghetti. While delicious, discovering a sweet and savory version like these Honey Garlic Meatballs was a revelation—it truly transformed my perspective on what a meatball could be! This recipe has since become a staple in my kitchen, loved for its incredible flavor and unmatched convenience.

These Honey Garlic Meatballs are the epitome of comfort food: incredibly tender, delightfully sticky, and bursting with a complex flavor profile. The magic lies in the slow cooking process, allowing the meatballs to simmer and absorb every nuanced note of the sauce—a harmonious blend that perfectly balances sweetness from honey, savory depth from soy sauce, and the pungent kick of fresh garlic. It’s a taste sensation that hits all the right spots, making it an instant family favorite.

This is precisely the kind of dish I turn to on a lazy Sunday or a busy weeknight when I want dinner to practically make itself, yet still taste like I’ve poured hours of effort into it. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, ensuring a perfectly cooked meal with minimal supervision, freeing you up to tackle other tasks or simply relax.

Why You’ll Love These Honey Garlic Meatballs

• Effortless Cooking: The slow cooker is your best friend here. After a quick initial prep, you can set it and forget it, letting the flavors meld beautifully over several hours.
• Unforgettable Flavor: The honey garlic sauce is a true star – sticky, sweet, savory, and wonderfully garlicky. It coats every meatball, ensuring each bite is packed with deliciousness.
• Tender & Juicy: Broiling the meatballs briefly before slow cooking helps lock in moisture and gives them a fantastic golden-brown crust, while the slow simmer keeps them incredibly tender.
• Versatile Meal: Perfect as a main course over rice or noodles, or easily transformed into a crowd-pleasing appetizer for parties and potlucks.
• Meal Prep Friendly: They store and reheat beautifully, making them ideal for weekly meal planning or preparing in advance for busy days.

What You’ll Need: Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

For precise measurements and full instructions, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.

For the Meatballs

Crafting homemade meatballs provides the best texture and flavor, allowing you to control the quality of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Ground Beef: I recommend an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for the juiciest meatballs. You can also experiment with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
• Onion: Finely chopped onion adds moisture and a subtle sweetness to the meatballs, enhancing their overall flavor.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is key for that aromatic depth.
• Salt & Pepper: Basic seasonings to bring out the best in your beef.
• Large Egg: Acts as a binder, helping the meatballs hold their shape during cooking.
• Plain Breadcrumbs: These add structure and help absorb moisture, preventing the meatballs from becoming too dense.

For the Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce

This sauce is where the magic happens, transforming simple meatballs into an extraordinary dish:

• Honey: The star sweetener, giving the sauce its signature sticky glaze and rich, floral notes.
• Ketchup: Adds tanginess, a hint of sweetness, and a lovely red hue, providing the perfect base for this classic sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Essential for savory umami flavor and depth, balancing the sweetness of the honey.
• Garlic: Plenty of minced garlic ensures the sauce is robustly flavored and wonderfully aromatic.
• Sesame Seeds: Used for garnish, they add a nutty crunch and visual appeal.
• Fresh Cilantro: Optional, but highly recommended for a pop of freshness and color upon serving.

While this recipe champions homemade meatballs for superior taste and texture, don’t hesitate to take a convenient shortcut. Using good quality premade, frozen meatballs is a fantastic option for those extra-busy days. Just toss them directly into the slow cooker with the sauce, and let your slow cooker do the rest!

How To Make Honey Garlic Meatballs: A Simple Process

Making these delicious meatballs is straightforward, especially with the help of your slow cooker. Follow these easy steps for a flavorful meal:

1. Prepare & Shape the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the ground beef, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, egg, and breadcrumbs. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough meatballs. Once combined, roll the mixture into evenly sized balls, about golf-ball size.
2. Broil for a Golden Crust: Arrange the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Broil them for 3-5 minutes on each side, until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. This crucial step adds depth of flavor and helps the meatballs maintain their shape as they slow cook.
3. Whisk the Sauce in the Slow Cooker: Pour the honey, ketchup, soy sauce, and the remaining minced garlic directly into the bottom of your slow cooker. Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the sauce is smooth.
4. Combine Meatballs & Sauce: Carefully add the broiled meatballs to the slow cooker. Gently stir them, ensuring each meatball is fully coated in the luscious honey garlic sauce.
5. Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model, but the goal is for the meatballs to be fully cooked through and wonderfully tender, having absorbed all the rich flavors of the sauce.
6. Garnish & Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty crunch and fresh chopped cilantro for a vibrant burst of freshness. Serve hot and enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Suggestions for Perfect Honey Garlic Meatballs

Even though this recipe is incredibly easy, a few simple tips can elevate your Honey Garlic Meatballs from great to absolutely exceptional:

• Finely Chop Your Onion: For the best texture in your meatballs, ensure the onion is minced very finely. Large chunks can lead to an uneven texture and potentially soggy spots. A food processor can be helpful for this!
• Do Not Overmix the Meat: When combining your meatball ingredients, mix just enough until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can compact the meat proteins, resulting in tough, dense meatballs rather than light and tender ones.
• Broil for Superior Texture and Flavor: The brief broiling step is a game-changer. It creates a beautiful golden crust, which adds a layer of caramelized flavor, and helps the meatballs hold their shape much better during the long simmer in the slow cooker.
• Prep Ahead for Busy Days: To save time, you can roll and broil the meatballs in advance. Let them cool completely, then refrigerate them for up to 2 days or freeze them for longer storage. When you’re ready to cook, simply add them to the prepared sauce in the slow cooker.
• Adjust the Sauce Sweetness to Your Liking: The recipe provides a balanced sweet and savory profile. If you prefer a less sweet sauce, you can slightly reduce the amount of honey. Conversely, for a sweeter kick, add a tablespoon or two more.
• Swap the Protein for Variety: Ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent alternatives to ground beef if you’re looking for a lighter option or simply want to try something different. The sauce is versatile enough to complement any ground meat.
• Add a Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, stir in a dash of red chili flakes or a tablespoon of sriracha sauce to the honey garlic mixture. Taste and adjust to achieve your desired level of spice.
• Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can create a cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking, or transfer the sauce to a saucepan and simmer on the stove for a few minutes until thickened.

Serving Your Honey Garlic Meatballs

These versatile meatballs pair wonderfully with a variety of sides. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve them:

• Over Rice: Classic and comforting, serve them over fluffy white or brown rice to soak up all that delicious sauce.
• With Noodles: Egg noodles, ramen, or even spaghetti can be a great base.
• Alongside Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, green beans, or roasted asparagus complement the rich flavors beautifully.
• As Appetizers: Serve them with toothpicks at your next gathering. They are always a huge hit!
• In Sandwiches: Tuck them into slider buns or crusty bread for a flavorful sandwich.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

These Honey Garlic Meatballs are excellent for meal prepping and can be easily stored for future enjoyment:

Any leftover meatballs, along with their sauce, should be transferred to an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator. They will maintain their delicious flavor and texture for 3-4 days. To reheat, simply use a microwave until thoroughly warmed through, or gently warm on the stovetop over low heat.

They are also fantastic for making ahead, especially if you’re planning a party or a busy week. I often prepare and broil the meatballs in advance, then refrigerate them for up to 2 days. When it’s time to serve, I simply add them to the slow cooker with the sauce and heat them through until piping hot.

Freezing Honey Garlic Meatballs

To freeze, allow the cooked meatballs and sauce to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer them into a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently on the stove or back in a slow cooker on the “warm” setting until heated through. This makes for a convenient grab-and-go meal option!

More Easy Crockpot Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of the ease and deliciousness of slow cooker meals, check out these other fantastic recipes:

• Crockpot Fiesta Chicken
• Crockpot Chicken & Gravy
• Slow Cooker Beef & Noodle Soup
• Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

4.50 from 32 votes

Honey Garlic Meatballs

By
Erin Sellin

Honey Garlic Meatballs – super tender meatballs that simmer in a delicious honey garlic sauce. Great for an appetizer or over rice for dinner.

Prep:

10 minutes
mins

Cook:

3 hours
hrs

Total:

3 hours
hrs
10 minutes
mins

Servings:
6

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Ingredients

Meatballs

• ▢
  
  1
  pound
  ground beef

• ▢
  
  1/2
  cup
  onion,
  very finely chopped

• ▢
  
  3
  cloves
  garlic,
  minced

• ▢
  
  1
  teaspoon
  salt

• ▢
  
  1/2
  teaspoon
  black pepper

• ▢
  
  1
  whole large egg

• ▢
  
  1/2
  cup
  plain breadcrumbs

Honey Garlic Sauce

• ▢
  
  1/3
  cup
  honey

• ▢
  
  1/2
  cup
  ketchup

• ▢
  
  1/2
  cup
  soy sauce

• ▢
  
  4
  cloves
  garlic,
  minced

• ▢
  
  1/2
  Tablespoons
  sesame seeds

• ▢
  
  1
  Tablespoon
  fresh chopped cilantro

Instructions

• Preheat oven to broil.
• Mix all of the ingredients for the meatballs together. Roll into golf-ball sized meatballs. Place on a lined baking sheet.
  1 pound ground beef,
  1/2 cup onion,
  3 cloves garlic,
  1 teaspoon salt,
  1/2 teaspoon black pepper,
  1 whole large egg,
  1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
• Bake for 3-5 minutes, until slightly golden brown. Turn and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine honey, ketchup, soy sauce, and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker. Stir until well combined.
  1/3 cup honey,
  1/2 cup ketchup,
  1/2 cup soy sauce,
  4 cloves garlic
• Gently stir browned meatballs with the sauce.
• Turn on low and cook for 2-3 hours.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds and cilantro to serve.
  1/2 Tablespoons sesame seeds,
  1 Tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro

Notes

Sauce Recipe adapted from Diethood

Nutrition

Calories:
369
kcal

|

Carbohydrates:
32
g

|

Protein:
26
g

|

Fat:
16
g

|

Saturated Fat:
6
g

|

Polyunsaturated Fat:
8
g

|

Trans Fat:
1
g

|

Cholesterol:
98
mg

|

Sodium:
1885
mg

|

Fiber:
1
g

|

Sugar:
21
g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author:
Erin Sellin

Prep Time:

10 minutes
minutes

Cook Time:

3 hours
hours

Total Time:

3 hours
hours
10 minutes
minutes

Course:
Appetizer Recipes

Cuisine:
American

Servings:
6

Calories:
369

Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I make these honey garlic meatballs in an Instant Pot instead of a slow cooker?

Yes, you absolutely can! After broiling the meatballs, place them in your Instant Pot. Whisk together the sauce ingredients and pour over the meatballs. Cook on high pressure for 8-10 minutes, then allow for a natural pressure release for 5 minutes before quick releasing the remaining pressure. This is a great option for a quicker meal!

Can I bake the meatballs instead of broiling them?

Certainly. If you prefer baking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the meatballs on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned. Then, transfer them to the slow cooker with the sauce as directed.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the plain breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs. Ensure your soy sauce is also gluten-free (tamari is a common gluten-free alternative). All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

What if my sauce isn’t thick enough?

If you find your sauce is too thin after slow cooking, you can easily thicken it. Remove the meatballs from the slow cooker and set them aside. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker, then turn the heat to high (or transfer to a saucepan on the stove) and simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Return the meatballs to the thickened sauce.

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