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–+ servings
A bowl of glossy honey garlic meatballs, garnished with parsley, perfect for slow cooker recipes.

Honey Garlic Meatballs

These honey garlic meatballs are a perfect appetizer for parties. They are easy to make in a slow cooker and have a sweet and savory flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Simmer Time 1 hour
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 24 meatballs
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb Ground beef 80/20 recommended
  • 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs Panko or regular
  • 1/4 cup Milk
  • 1 Egg
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
For the Sauce
  • 1 cup Honey
  • 1/2 cup Soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup Ketchup
  • 2 tbsp Rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Sesame oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Ginger grated
  • 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes optional

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Large bowl

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
  2. Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
  3. Place the meatballs in a single layer in your slow cooker.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using).
  5. Pour the sauce over the meatballs in the slow cooker.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours, or on high for 1.5-2 hours, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
  7. Stir occasionally to ensure the meatballs are evenly coated in the sauce.
  8. Serve hot with toothpicks for easy serving.

Notes

You can also bake the meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until browned, then add them to the slow cooker with the sauce to keep warm.

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