Cozy Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs
These cozy crockpot honey garlic meatballs are a sweet-savory comfort food perfect for busy evenings or family gatherings. Slow-cooked to tender perfection, they offer a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a sticky honey garlic sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (low) or 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 20-24 meatballs (about 4 servings) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned or plain)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (low sodium)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp ground ginger (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, 2 cloves minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and oregano. Mix gently until just combined.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls, about 20-24 meatballs.
- Optional: Brown the meatballs in a skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes per side until lightly golden.
- In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, 3 cloves minced garlic, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and ground ginger.
- Pour half the sauce into the crockpot. Add meatballs on top, then pour remaining sauce over them.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the cornstarch slurry. Cover and cook on high for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Stir gently to coat meatballs in thickened sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
Browning meatballs before slow cooking adds flavor but is optional. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari for a gluten-free version. Fresh garlic is preferred for best flavor. Add red pepper flakes for heat. Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to avoid lumps. Vinegar balances sweetness and brightens the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 5-6 meatballs
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Protein: 22
Keywords: crockpot meatballs, honey garlic meatballs, slow cooker recipe, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal