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Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Meatballs

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These slow cooker honey BBQ meatballs are tender, juicy, and coated in a sticky-sweet glaze, perfect for hands-off cooking and crowd-pleasing flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
  • 1 cup bread crumbs (plain or seasoned)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup honey (preferably raw or pure)
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or green onions

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground meat, bread crumbs, eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Roll the mixture into 1½-inch balls (about the size of a golf ball), yielding approximately 24 meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet or plate.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika.
  4. Place the meatballs in a single layer in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and gently coat each one with a spatula.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature 160°F) and tender. Stir the sauce gently halfway through cooking.
  6. If the sauce is too thin at the end, remove the lid and cook on high for 15-20 minutes to thicken.

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute bread crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free crumbs. Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Avoid overmixing meat to keep meatballs tender. Wet hands with cold water to prevent sticking when forming meatballs. Do not lift the slow cooker lid frequently to maintain heat. Sauce can be thickened by cooking uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes at the end.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, honey BBQ, meatballs, easy recipe, comfort food, party food, family dinner

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/slow-cooker-honey-bbq-meatballs-recipe-5-easy-steps-for-perfect-flavor/