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Easy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

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Tender meatballs simmered in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, perfect for a fuss-free weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ cup honey
  • ¼ 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 (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, 2 cloves minced garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, about 20-24 total. Place on a plate or baking sheet.
  3. Optional: Brown meatballs in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to slow cooker. If skipping, place raw meatballs directly into slow cooker.
  4. In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, 3 cloves minced garlic, ketchup, and apple cider vinegar until smooth. Pour over meatballs in slow cooker.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until meatballs are cooked through and tender.
  6. Optional: Mix cornstarch with cold water to create slurry and stir into slow cooker in last 15 minutes to thicken sauce.
  7. Gently stir meatballs to coat evenly with sauce before serving. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Do not overmix meat to keep meatballs tender. Browning meatballs is optional but adds flavor. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Avoid lifting slow cooker lid during cooking. Adjust honey or soy sauce to balance sweetness. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs and soy sauce accordingly. Sauce thickens naturally but cornstarch slurry can be added if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, honey garlic, meatballs, easy dinner, weeknight meal, crowd-pleaser, comfort food

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/easy-slow-cooker-honey-garlic-meatballs-recipe-for-perfect-flavor/