Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

$For these tasty meatballs, gather the following items: - 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey - 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley - 1 large egg, beaten - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper - 1 cup honey - 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar - 1 teaspoon ground ginger - 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening) - 1 tablespoon cold water (if thickening sauce) You can swap some ingredients for different flavors or dietary needs: - Use ground turkey instead of ground beef for a leaner option. - Replace Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free choice. - Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if you need a gluten-free meal. For extra flavor, consider adding these ingredients: - A pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. - Chopped green onions for a fresh bite. - Pineapple chunks for a sweet twist. These simple changes can make this dish feel new each time you make it. Enjoy the process of experimenting! To start, grab a big mixing bowl. Add 1 pound of ground beef or turkey to the bowl. Next, toss in 1/2 cup of seasoned breadcrumbs. Then, sprinkle in 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Add 1/4 cup of finely chopped fresh parsley and 1 large beaten egg. Now, include 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix everything well with your hands or a spatula until it's all combined. Once mixed, shape the meat into small balls, about 1 inch wide. Place these meatballs on a baking sheet. This will make it easy to transfer them later. Now, let’s make the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup of honey, 1/2 cup of low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of ground ginger. Make sure it’s smooth. Next, carefully drop the meatballs into the slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the meatballs, covering each one well. Put the lid on the slow cooker. Set it to cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Check to make sure the meatballs are cooked and tender. If you want a thicker sauce, you can thicken it up. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water in a small bowl. Stir this mix into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking. When they are done, serve the warm meatballs. You can drizzle extra sauce over them for added flavor. For a nice touch, arrange the meatballs on a pretty platter. Garnish with chopped parsley for color. Enjoy! To make great meatballs, start with quality meat. You can use ground beef or turkey. Both work well. I love mixing in seasoned breadcrumbs for texture. They help keep the meatballs moist. Adding grated Parmesan cheese gives a nice flavor boost. Don’t forget the parsley for freshness. Keep the garlic minced and even. This way, it spreads evenly for a great taste. Slow cooking is key for juicy meatballs. Cook them on low for 5-6 hours for the best results. This allows the flavors to blend perfectly. If you are short on time, you can cook on high for 2-3 hours. Make sure the meatballs are fully cooked and tender. To thicken the sauce, use cornstarch mixed with cold water. Stir in this mixture the last 30 minutes. It makes the sauce rich and hearty. These meatballs shine on their own, but you can enhance the meal. Serve them on a big platter, garnished with fresh parsley. This adds color and flair. For a full meal, place them over a bed of fluffy rice. You can also use toothpicks for fun finger food at parties. Pair with steamed veggies or a fresh salad for balance. Enjoying these meatballs is easy, and they are sure to please everyone! {{image_4}} You can easily add spice to your honey garlic meatballs. To make spicy meatballs, mix in 1 to 2 teaspoons of red chili flakes or sriracha sauce. This heat pairs well with the sweet honey taste. If you like it hotter, try adding diced jalapeños to the meatball mix. The spiciness will balance the sweetness nicely. If you want a meatless choice, use plant-based protein. You can substitute ground beef or turkey with lentils, quinoa, or chickpeas. Just mash them up and mix with breadcrumbs and spices. You can also try using store-bought vegetarian meatballs. These options keep the flavor while being good for you. You can switch up the sauce for different tastes. Instead of honey, try using maple syrup for a unique flavor. A teriyaki sauce can create a fun twist, giving the meatballs an Asian flair. For a tangy note, add some barbecue sauce. Each sauce will change the dish while keeping it tasty and fun. You can store leftover meatballs in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure they cool down before sealing. This helps to avoid condensation, which can make them soggy. To reheat meatballs, use a microwave or stovetop. If using a microwave, heat them in short bursts to avoid overcooking. For the stovetop, place them in a pan with a splash of water or sauce. Cover and heat on low until warm. This keeps them juicy and flavorful. You can freeze meatballs for longer storage. Pack them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about two hours. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Label the bag with the date. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. You should cook these meatballs for 5-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high. The longer you cook them, the more tender they become. This slow method lets the flavors blend well. You can check for doneness by cutting one open. The meat should be fully cooked and no longer pink. Yes, you can use frozen meatballs! Just add them straight to the slow cooker without thawing. This makes meal prep easy and quick. If using frozen meatballs, you may need to increase the cooking time by about an hour. These meatballs pair well with many sides. You can serve them over rice or noodles for a filling meal. They also taste great with steamed veggies or a fresh salad. For a fun touch, serve them with toothpicks as appetizers at a party. You learned how to make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs. We covered ingredients, step-by-step cooking, and tips for success. Feel free to try different meats or sauces for unique flavors. Storing and reheating tips help you enjoy leftovers too. Now, you’re ready to impress at your next meal. Enjoy your cooking adventure!$

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

Indulge in the perfect combination of flavors with these Sweet and Savory Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs! Made with simple ingredients, these tender meatballs are coated in a delicious honey garlic sauce, making them an irresistible dish for any occasion. Easy to prepare and great for family meals, they're sure to impress.

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Ingredients

1 pound ground beef or ground turkey

1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

1 large egg, beaten

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 cup honey

1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

1 tablespoon cold water (if thickening sauce)

Instructions

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or turkey), seasoned breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, beaten egg, minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper. Use your hands or a spatula to mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.

With clean hands, shape the mixture into small meatballs, approximately 1 inch in diameter. Arrange the formed meatballs on a baking sheet for ease of transfer.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and ground ginger until the mixture is smooth and well blended.

Carefully place the meatballs into the bowl of a slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce evenly over the meatballs, ensuring each one is well-coated with the sauce.

Secure the lid on the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, or until the meatballs are thoroughly cooked and tender.

If you desire a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with the cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker during the final 30 minutes of cooking and mix well to combine.

Once cooking is complete, serve the meatballs warm, allowing guests to drizzle over any remaining sauce for added flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 5-6 hours | Servings: 4-6

- Presentation Tips: Elevate your serving style by arranging the meatballs on a large decorative platter, garnished with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color. Provide toothpicks for easy serving, or serve them atop a bed of fluffy steamed rice for a comforting and hearty meal!