Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

$- 1 pound ground beef or turkey - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 large egg For the meatballs, you need ground beef or turkey. Both work well, but turkey can be lighter. Combine it with breadcrumbs for texture. The grated Parmesan cheese adds a nice flavor. Don’t forget the egg; it helps bind everything together. - Honey - Soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free) - Rice vinegar - Sesame oil The sauce is key to the dish's flavor. Honey gives a sweet note. Soy sauce adds saltiness and umami. Rice vinegar brings in some tang, while sesame oil gives a warm, nutty flavor. This mix creates a perfect glaze for your meatballs. - Minced garlic - Onion powder - Salt - Black pepper - Cornstarch mixed with water Seasonings make the meatballs shine. Minced garlic brings a bold taste. Onion powder adds depth, while salt and black pepper enhance the flavors. For a thicker sauce, you’ll mix cornstarch with water. This will make your sauce glossy and rich. First, gather your ingredients. In a big bowl, combine: - 1 pound ground beef or turkey - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 large egg - 1 tablespoon minced garlic - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Mix these well. I like to use my hands for this. It makes sure everything blends nicely. Next, shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. You should get about 20 meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet. Now, let’s make the sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk together: - 1/2 cup honey - 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free) - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon sesame oil This sauce will give your meatballs that sweet and savory taste. I love how the honey and soy sauce work together. Next, lightly grease the slow cooker with cooking spray or olive oil. Layer the meatballs in a single layer. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the meatballs. Make sure every meatball gets a good coat of sauce. Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. You want the meatballs to cook well and become tender. If you want a thicker sauce, stir in the cornstarch mixture 30 minutes before serving. This will make the sauce glossy and rich. When they are ready, use tongs to take out the meatballs. Place them on a serving dish. Drizzle some sauce over the top and garnish with chopped green onions. Enjoy this flavorful delight! When using a slow cooker, you can choose between two settings: low and high. If you set it to low, cook the meatballs for about six hours. On the high setting, they will be ready in about three hours. Both methods work well, but low cooking gives the best flavor. To keep your meatballs juicy, do not overpack them. Gently mix the meat and other ingredients without squishing them. This helps keep air in the meatballs. Also, don't skip the breadcrumbs. They soak up moisture and help keep the meatballs soft. If you want a thicker sauce, add the cornstarch mixture 30 minutes before serving. Stir the mixture well before pouring it in. This ensures it blends nicely. Cover the slow cooker again and let the sauce heat. It will become glossy and rich, perfect for drizzling over your meatballs. Garnishing adds color and flavor. Chopped green onions give a fresh taste. Just sprinkle them over the meatballs before serving. Sesame seeds also work well. They add a nice crunch and look great on the plate. Together, they make your dish more appealing and tasty. {{image_2}} You can switch the meat in this recipe. Ground turkey offers a leaner option. Ground chicken is another great choice. If you prefer plant-based meals, try using lentils or chickpeas. For gluten-free needs, use gluten-free breadcrumbs. Tamari is a safe option for soy sauce. These swaps keep the dish tasty while fitting different diets. To change up the taste, add spices like ginger or chili flakes. Ginger gives a warm, spicy kick. Chili flakes add heat to the sweet sauce. You can also use different sweeteners. Maple syrup is a tasty swap for honey. It gives a rich flavor that works well with the other ingredients. Serve the meatballs over rice for a hearty meal. Noodles are another great option. They soak up the sauce nicely. If you want to serve them as snacks, use toothpicks for easy grabbing. These meatballs also shine at parties as a tasty appetizer. Garnish with green onions for added color and crunch. To store leftover meatballs, let them cool first. Place them in an airtight container. Make sure the lid seals well. You can keep them in the fridge for up to four days. This keeps them fresh and tasty. If you want to enjoy them later, follow the freezing guidelines. For freezing, use a freezer-safe container or bag. Arrange the meatballs in a single layer. This helps them freeze evenly. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove. This way, they stay juicy and flavorful. In the fridge, meatballs last about four days. If you freeze them, they remain good for three months. After that, their taste may change, and they may not be safe to eat. Always check for any signs of spoilage before consuming. Enjoy your delicious meatballs while they're at their best! You can tell meatballs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. You can also check their color. They should be brown on the outside and no longer pink inside. The sauce should also bubble and thicken. If you follow these signs, you can be sure they are ready to enjoy. Yes, you can make these meatballs ahead of time. You can prepare the meatball mixture and store it in the fridge for up to one day. You can also freeze the shaped meatballs for later use. Just thaw them in the fridge before cooking. For the sauce, mix it up and store it in a sealed container. This makes meal prep quick and easy. Honey garlic meatballs pair well with many sides. Here are a few ideas: - Steamed rice - Noodles - Toasted bread rolls - A fresh green salad - Stir-fried vegetables These options will balance the sweet and savory flavors of the meatballs. Plus, they make for a colorful and tasty meal! Now you know how to make tasty slow cooker honey garlic meatballs. We covered the key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and useful tips. You also learned about variations and how to store leftovers. These meatballs are perfect for any meal, whether you serve them with rice or enjoy them as a snack. Feel free to mix and match flavors to find your favorite twist. Enjoy cooking and sharing this dish with loved ones.$

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

Delight your taste buds with Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs! This easy recipe combines ground beef or turkey with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce for a dish that's perfect for any occasion. Simply mix, roll, cook, and enjoy tender meatballs in no time. Ideal for family dinners or gatherings, these mouthwatering meatballs will be a hit! Click to discover the full recipe and start impressing your guests today!

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Ingredients

1 pound ground beef or turkey

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 large egg

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)

Chopped green onions (for garnish)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or turkey), breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until fully combined.

Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet. You should yield around 20 meatballs.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. This will be the sauce for the meatballs.

Lightly grease the slow cooker with cooking spray or olive oil. Place the meatballs in a single layer in the slow cooker.

Pour the honey garlic sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are well-coated.

Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, until the meatballs are thoroughly cooked and tender.

If you want to thicken the sauce, 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cornstarch mixture and cover again. This will create a glossy sauce.

Once ready, use tongs to carefully remove the meatballs from the slow cooker and place them on a serving dish.

Drizzle some of the sauce from the slow cooker over the meatballs and garnish with chopped green onions.

- Prep Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 6 hours 15 mins | Servings: 4-6

- Presentation Tips: Serve the meatballs over a bed of steamed rice or with toothpicks for easy snacking. Garnish with additional sesame seeds and green onions for a pop of color.