Description
This Honey Garlic Meatballs recipe features tender fully cooked meatballs simmered in a luscious sauce made from ketchup, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, and fresh garlic. Perfect as a savory appetizer or served over rice with green onions and sesame seeds for a delicious main course, this dish offers a balance of sweet and savory flavors with minimal prep time and easy slow cooker or stovetop options.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- ½ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2–3 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Garlic salt & pepper, to taste
Meatballs
- 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen fully cooked meatballs (about 50 meatballs)
For Serving
- Cooked rice
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl or directly in the base of a slow cooker, mix together the ketchup, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, and minced garlic until well combined. This forms the flavorful honey garlic sauce that will coat the meatballs.
- Add Meatballs and Season: Add the frozen fully cooked meatballs to the sauce and stir gently to ensure all meatballs are evenly coated. Sprinkle a pinch of garlic salt and pepper on top as desired to enhance the taste.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook the mixture on high for 2 to 3 hours, or on low for 3 to 4 hours. This slow cooking allows the meatballs to absorb the sweet and savory sauce fully and become tender. After cooking, switch the slow cooker to warm mode until ready to serve. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Serve the honey garlic meatballs as a delicious appetizer or over cooked rice as a satisfying main dish. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
- Alternative Stove Top Method: Combine the sauce ingredients in a large pot over medium-low heat and stir until integrated. Add the meatballs, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Serving Suggestion: These meatballs pair perfectly with steamed rice or noodles and add a fresh crunch with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Adjust Sweetness: You can adjust the amount of honey or brown sugar to make the sauce sweeter or less sweet according to your preference.
- Meatball Options: Frozen fully cooked meatballs can be beef, pork, chicken, or turkey based—choose your favorite.
Keywords: Honey Garlic Meatballs, Slow Cooker Meatballs, Sweet and Savory Meatballs, Easy Party Appetizer, Meatballs over Rice