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Delicious Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs served as a party appetizer over rice.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

These cozy and impressive Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs are perfect for busy weeknights, offering a sticky, sweet, and garlicky sauce that makes dinner a breeze.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 2 to 3 pounds Meatballs (frozen fully cooked or homemade browned first) Use fully cooked frozen meatballs for convenience or homemade for richer flavor.
For the Sauce
  • 1 cup Honey Adjust to taste.
  • 1/2 cup Soy sauce (low sodium if preferred) Reduces sodium content.
  • 4 to 6 cloves Garlic, minced Adjust based on garlic preference.
  • 1/3 cup Ketchup Helps to create a sticky glaze.
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar Adds tang.
  • 1 drizzle Sesame oil (optional) For added flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch Optional slurry for thickening.
  • 2 tablespoons Water For cornstarch slurry.
For Topping
  • Green onions, chopped Optional garnish.
  • Sesame seeds Optional garnish.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Add the meatballs to your slow cooker. If using homemade and raw, brown them in a pan first. If using frozen and fully cooked, just toss them in.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, ketchup, and vinegar. Adjust sweetness to taste.
  3. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and stir gently to coat.
Cooking
  1. Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours or HIGH for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, being cautious not to overcook.
  2. For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir it in during the last 15 to 20 minutes.
  3. Serve hot, topped with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

Do not skip the garlic for the best balance of flavors. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently.