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Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs

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A quick and easy slow cooker recipe featuring tender meatballs coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 for juiciness; ground turkey works well too for a leaner option)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned; panko can add extra crunch)
  • 1/4 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based milk for moisture)
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup honey (local or wildflower honey preferred)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water (for thickening the sauce)

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, grated Parmesan, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Roll the mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs, about 20 in total. Wet hands slightly if mixture is sticky.
  3. Optional: Brown meatballs in a skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes total to add flavor.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, 3 minced garlic cloves, ketchup, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
  5. Place meatballs in the slow cooker and pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over them.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until meatballs are cooked through and tender.
  7. About 20 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water and stir into the crockpot. Switch to high heat and let sauce thicken, stirring occasionally.
  8. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid dense meatballs. Uniform meatball size ensures even cooking. Browning meatballs is optional but adds flavor. Use cornstarch slurry to thicken sauce before serving. Cooking time can be adjusted based on schedule. Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot, slow cooker, honey garlic, meatballs, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/easy-crockpot-honey-garlic-meatballs-recipe-for-busy-weeknight-dinners/