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Cozy Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs

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A comforting and easy slow cooker recipe featuring juicy meatballs in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, perfect for family meals and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
  • ½ lb ground pork (optional)
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
  • ¼ cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, mix ground beef, ground pork (if using), breadcrumbs, milk, beaten egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper until just combined.
  2. Shape mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs, about 20-24 meatballs. Place on a baking sheet or plate.
  3. Optional: Brown meatballs in a skillet with oil over medium heat, about 2 minutes per side, then transfer to crockpot.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, ketchup, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
  5. Pour sauce over meatballs in crockpot and gently stir to coat evenly.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
  7. About 15 minutes before serving, stir cornstarch mixture into crockpot, cover and cook on high for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm with extra sauce.

Notes

Browning meatballs before slow cooking adds extra flavor but can be skipped to save time. For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari instead of soy sauce. For dairy-free, substitute milk with almond or oat milk. Avoid overmixing meatball mixture to keep them tender. Stir gently to avoid breaking meatballs. Adjust sauce thickness by adding water or cooking longer uncovered if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot meatballs, honey garlic meatballs, slow cooker recipe, family meals, easy dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/cozy-crockpot-honey-garlic-meatballs-easy-recipe-for-family-meals/