Sweet and Savory Honey Garlic Meatballs

$- 1 lb ground beef or turkey - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese - 1 large egg - 2 cloves garlic - 1 tsp onion powder - 1/2 tsp salt - 1/4 tsp black pepper - 1/2 cup honey - 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari - 1 tbsp rice vinegar - 1/2 tsp sesame oil - 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional) To make slow cooker honey garlic meatballs, gather these ingredients. You can use beef or turkey for a lighter meal. Breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese add flavor and texture. The egg acts as a binder. Garlic and seasoning enhance the taste. For the sweet sauce, combine honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Sesame oil adds richness. If you like heat, toss in chili flakes. These ingredients create a wonderful balance of sweet and savory. You can adjust the sauce to fit your taste. With these ingredients ready, you will create a dish that is both delicious and simple to prepare. {{ingredient_image_2}} First, I take a large bowl. I combine 1 pound of ground beef or turkey, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 beaten egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. I mix these well with my hands. It should feel like a sticky dough. Next, I form small meatballs, about 1 inch wide. I place them neatly on a plate or a baking sheet. This recipe makes about 20 meatballs. It is fun to shape them, and I love the smell of garlic in the air. Now, I prepare the sauce. In a medium bowl, I whisk together 1/2 cup of honey, 1/4 cup of soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free), 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon of sesame oil, and optional 1/2 teaspoon of chili flakes. I make sure the mixture is smooth and combined. This sauce is sweet and savory, perfect for our meatballs. I transfer the meatballs into the slow cooker. I pour the honey garlic sauce over them, making sure each meatball is coated. I cover the slow cooker and set it to cook. I choose low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. During cooking, the meatballs get tender and soak up all the wonderful flavors. Once they are done, I gently stir the meatballs in the sauce. This helps them absorb even more flavor before serving. To make great meatballs, start with cold ingredients. This keeps the meat firm. Mix your ground beef or turkey with breadcrumbs, cheese, egg, garlic, and spices. Use your hands to combine everything. This ensures a good texture. When forming meatballs, aim for one inch in size. This helps them cook evenly. Place them on a baking sheet for easy transfer. Cooking times matter too. For slow cooking, set your cooker to low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. The meatballs will be soft and juicy when done. You can add more flavor by including vegetables. Chopped bell peppers or grated carrots blend well. They add nutrients and taste. Adjust the sweetness too. If you like it sweeter, add more honey. For a spicy kick, toss in extra chili flakes. This gives your dish a fun twist. Presentation makes your meal pop! Serve the meatballs over rice or noodles. Drizzle extra honey garlic sauce on top. It looks great and tastes amazing. Garnish with sliced green onions. This adds color and crunch. Pair your meatballs with steamed veggies for a balanced meal. The mix of flavors and textures will impress everyone at the table. Pro Tips Use a Meat Thermometer: Ensure your meatballs are cooked to the proper internal temperature of 160°F (70°C) for ground beef or turkey to guarantee safety and juiciness. Customize Your Sauce: Feel free to adjust the honey and soy sauce ratio to suit your sweetness preference, or add a splash of sriracha for an extra kick! Batch Cooking: Make a double batch and freeze half for an easy meal later. Just reheat in the sauce when you're ready to serve! Garnish for Flavor: Don’t skip the green onions! They add a fresh crunch and vibrant color that enhances the overall dish. {{image_4}} If you want to make this dish gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. You can also swap regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs. For a low-carb option, try ground meat without breadcrumbs. Use almond flour or crushed pork rinds instead. If you need dairy-free options, skip the Parmesan cheese. You can add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy. To change the taste, try adding different spices. A pinch of paprika or garlic powder can enhance the flavor. You might also add a splash of lemon juice for a fresh zing. If you prefer a different meat, ground chicken or pork works well too. Each meat brings its unique taste and texture to the dish. You can give your meatballs a cultural spin. For a Thai twist, use fish sauce and add some chopped cilantro. You could also add coconut milk for a creamy sauce. If you want a Teriyaki version, mix in some ginger and top with sesame seeds. These variations keep your meal exciting and fresh, no matter what you choose. To store your honey garlic meatballs, place them in an airtight container. Make sure to let them cool down first. You can store them in the fridge for up to four days. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option. To freeze cooked meatballs, lay them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze for about two hours, then transfer them to a freezer bag. This way, they won’t stick together. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you are ready to eat, simply take out the meatballs. Reheat them in the microwave or on the stove. If using the microwave, heat in short bursts to avoid overcooking. On the stove, simmer them in a bit of sauce until warmed through. Enjoy the sweet and savory flavors again! You should cook the meatballs for 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high. This time ensures the meatballs are tender and fully cooked. The slow heat allows the sweet and savory honey garlic sauce to soak in well. It also helps the flavors blend nicely, giving you a delicious meal. Yes, you can use frozen meatballs! Just add them directly to the slow cooker. You may need to increase the cooking time by 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your slow cooker. Using frozen meatballs makes this recipe even easier. It saves time and effort while still delivering that tasty honey garlic flavor. You can serve honey garlic meatballs with many sides. Here are some great options: - Steamed rice - Warm noodles - Fresh vegetables - Salad These sides balance the sweet meatballs. They add freshness and texture to your meal. You can also drizzle extra honey garlic sauce on everything for added flavor. Enjoy the colorful mix on your plate! In this blog post, we explored how to make delicious slow cooker honey garlic meatballs. You learned about the main ingredients, including ground beef or turkey, breadcrumbs, and a sweet honey garlic sauce. I shared easy steps for preparing, cooking, and garnishing your meatballs. Remember, you can customize flavors and make them healthier with substitutes. Now, it's time to enjoy your tasty meatballs. With a little practice, you'll make perfect dishes everyone will love. Happy cooking!$

Sweet and Savory Honey Garlic Meatballs

Delicious meatballs coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, perfect for a comforting meal.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 6

Total Time 6 15

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (or turkey for a lighter option)
0.5 cup plain or seasoned breadcrumbs
0.25 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 tsp onion powder
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper
0.5 cup honey
0.25 cup soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free version)
1 tbsp rice vinegar
0.5 tsp sesame oil
0.5 tsp chili flakes (optional for a spicy twist)
2 green onions thinly sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or turkey), breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well integrated, creating a cohesive mixture.
Using your hands, form the mixture into small meatballs, each about 1 inch in diameter. Arrange them neatly on a baking sheet or plate. This should produce around 20 meatballs.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili flakes (if desired) until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This will serve as your delicious honey garlic sauce.
Transfer the formed meatballs into the slow cooker and pour the honey garlic sauce over them, ensuring each meatball is generously coated in the sauce for optimal flavor.
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours. The meatballs should become fully cooked and tender during this time.
Once cooked, gently stir the meatballs to redistributing them in the sauce before serving, allowing them to soak in more of the sweet and savory flavor.

Notes

Serve over rice or noodles, and garnish with green onions.

Keyword easy recipe, honey garlic, meatballs