Description
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs are sweet, savory, and garlicky—perfect for parties or an easy dinner. A simple slow cooker recipe with a rich, flavorful sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
For the meatballs:
- 2 pounds frozen or homemade meatballs (beef, turkey, or chicken)
For the sauce:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 1 tablespoon water (if using cornstarch)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger, and black pepper until well combined. - Add Ingredients to the Slow Cooker
Place the meatballs into the slow cooker and pour the sauce over them. Stir gently to coat all the meatballs evenly. - Cook the Meatballs
Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours until the meatballs are heated through and well-coated with sauce. - Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk cornstarch with water in a small bowl, then stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking. - Serve and Enjoy
Serve warm as an appetizer with toothpicks, over white rice, or alongside steamed vegetables. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired.
Notes
- Spicy Kick – Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha for heat.
- Tangy Twist – Stir in 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a touch of acidity.
- BBQ Flavor – Replace ketchup with barbecue sauce for a smokier taste.
- Gluten-Free Option – Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and ensure your meatballs are gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours on low, 2-3 hours on high
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Keywords: honey garlic meatballs, slow cooker meatballs, easy party appetizers, crockpot meatballs, sweet and savory meatballs