Oh my gosh, you have to try these slow cooker honey garlic meatballs! They’re my go-to when I need something ridiculously easy but packed with flavor. I first made them for a potluck years ago, and now my family begs for them every Sunday. The magic happens when that sweet honey and savory garlic sauce slowly coats each tender meatball while you go about your day. No babysitting the stove, no fancy techniques – just dump, cook, and come back to the most delicious smell filling your kitchen. Trust me, once you try this hands-off method, you’ll never go back to the oven version.

Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

Listen, I get it – life’s busy. That’s why this recipe is pure gold. Here’s why it’s my forever favorite:

Set-it-and-forget-it magic: Toss everything in the slow cooker, walk away, and come back to perfection. No stirring, no stressing.
That sticky-sweet sauce: The honey caramelizes into this glossy, finger-licking-good glaze that coats every meatball.
Weeknight hero: Kids devour them, adults rave about them – and you’ll look like a kitchen genius with barely any effort.
Meal prep superstar: They taste even better the next day (if they last that long!).

Seriously, these meatballs are the reason my slow cooker lives on my counter year-round. You’re going to adore them!

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

Grab these simple ingredients – you probably have most in your pantry already! I like to separate them into two groups to keep things organized:

For the meatballs: 1 lb lean ground beef, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper
For that amazing sauce: 1/2 cup honey (trust me, no skimping!), 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 cloves garlic (minced fine), 1 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tbsp water
Garnishes (optional but oh-so-good): 1 tbsp sesame seeds, 2 green onions chopped

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Don’t stress if you’re missing something! Here are my tried-and-true swaps:

Breadcrumbs: Panko works great for extra crunch, or use crushed crackers in a pinch
Ground beef: Turkey or chicken work well too – just go for 85-90% lean
Soy sauce: Tamari is my gluten-free go-to, or coconut aminos for lower sodium
Honey: Maple syrup works but won’t get quite as sticky
Egg-free? Try 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water

The best part? These meatballs are pretty forgiving, so make them work for you!

Equipment You’ll Need

You won’t need much – just the basics! Here’s what I always grab:

Slow cooker: Any size works, but my 4-quart is perfect for this recipe
Mixing bowls: One for meatballs, one for sauce – easy cleanup!
Measuring spoons: For those perfect honey-to-garlic ratios
Optional but handy: A small cookie scoop for uniform meatballs (though I often just use my hands – it’s therapeutic!)

That’s it! No fancy gadgets required – just good old-fashioned slow cooker magic.

How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

Alright, let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have the most tender, saucy meatballs ready to impress:

Mix your meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Use your hands (yes, get messy!) to mix just until combined. Don’t overwork it – that’s the secret to tender meatballs.
Shape with love: Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls – about the size of a ping pong ball. Pro tip: Wet your hands slightly to prevent sticking. You should get about 20-24 meatballs.
Into the slow cooker: Place them gently in your slow cooker. Don’t crowd them – leave a little space between each so they cook evenly.
Whisk that magic sauce: In another bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic until smooth. Pour it over the meatballs, giving the slow cooker a little shake to coat them all.
Let the slow cooker work: Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours. Your house will smell incredible!
Thicken the sauce: Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl, then stir it into the slow cooker. Cook for another 15 minutes until the sauce turns glossy and clings to the meatballs.
Finishing touches: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions right before serving. Watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

Here are my hard-earned tricks for meatball greatness:

Handle with care: Overmixing makes tough meatballs – stop as soon as ingredients are combined.
Size matters: Keep meatballs uniform so they cook evenly (a cookie scoop helps!).
Sauce too thin? Add another teaspoon of cornstarch slurry. Too thick? Stir in a tablespoon of water.
No peeking! Resist lifting the lid – slow cookers need that steady heat to work their magic.

Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

Oh, the possibilities! These honey garlic meatballs are crazy versatile. Here’s how we love them:

Over fluffy rice: The sauce soaks in perfectly – I always make extra rice for this!
With noodles: Try lo mein or udon for serious slurping action
Appetizer style: Stick toothpicks in them and watch them disappear at parties
Veggie boost: Serve with steamed broccoli or snap peas for color

Don’t forget the extra green onions and sesame seeds on top – they make everything prettier and add that perfect crunch!

Storing and Reheating Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

Here’s the best part – these honey garlic meatballs taste even better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them (sauce and all) in freezer bags for about a month. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just pop them in the microwave for a minute or two, or warm them gently in a skillet with a splash of water to revive that sticky-sweet sauce. Pro tip: The sauce thickens when chilled, so don’t panic – it’ll loosen right up when reheated!

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs FAQs

I get asked about these honey garlic meatballs all the time! Here are answers to the most common questions:

Can I use frozen meatballs?
Absolutely! Just skip the meatball-making steps and add frozen meatballs straight to the slow cooker. Cook times stay the same – they’ll thaw as they cook in that delicious sauce.

How can I reduce the sodium?
Easy swaps make a big difference! Use low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce. You can also cut the salt in the meatball mixture – the sauce packs plenty of flavor.

Can I make these ahead?
You bet! Assemble the meatballs the night before and refrigerate them (separate from sauce). In the morning, just pop everything in the slow cooker. The sauce actually develops more depth when it sits!

Why is my sauce too thin/thick?
If it’s thin after cooking, mix another teaspoon of cornstarch with water and stir it in. Too thick? Add a tablespoon of water or broth and give it a gentle stir.

Nutritional Information

Just so you know, these numbers are estimates – your exact counts will depend on your ingredients. But here’s the scoop per serving (about 5-6 meatballs with sauce):

Calories: 320
Protein: 20g (hello, muscle fuel!)
Carbs: 34g (mostly from that glorious honey)
Fat: 12g

Not too shabby for something that tastes this indulgent, right? The sauce does most of the carb work here, so feel free to tweak the honey amount if you’re watching sugars.

Share Your Experience

Did you make these honey garlic meatballs? I’d love to hear how they turned out! Tag me on Instagram or leave a comment below – your feedback makes my day and helps other home cooks too.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs: 4-Hour Flavor Explosion

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Low Lactose

Print Recipe

Description

Tender meatballs cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, made easy in your slow cooker.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
2 green onions, chopped (optional)

Instructions

In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until combined.
Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
Place meatballs in the slow cooker.
In a separate bowl, whisk honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic.
Pour the sauce over the meatballs.
Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water, then stir into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce.
Cook for an additional 15 minutes.
Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

Notes

Use lean ground beef for less grease.
Double the sauce if you prefer extra for dipping.
Serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Main Dish
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 320
Sugar: 24g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: slow cooker, honey garlic, meatballs, easy dinner