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- 1 pound ground beef or turkey - 1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 large egg - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper - 1/2 cup pure honey - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil - 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional for thickening) - 2 green onions, sliced - Sesame seeds The main ingredients create a tasty meatball base. Ground beef or turkey gives you protein. Seasoned breadcrumbs add texture. Grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty kick. The egg binds everything. Minced garlic gives flavor. Onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper round out the taste. For the honey garlic sauce, I use pure honey for sweetness. Low-sodium soy sauce provides umami. Rice vinegar adds a bit of tang. Toasted sesame oil gives a rich finish. If you want a thicker sauce, cornstarch works well. Garnishing with green onions and sesame seeds adds color and crunch. These ingredients elevate your dish. You can find them easily at any grocery store. Enjoy the mix of flavors with each bite! Start by mixing the meatball ingredients. In a large bowl, combine: - 1 pound ground beef (or turkey) - 1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese - 1 large egg - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt - 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper Use your hands to mix everything well. This ensures all flavors blend nicely. Next, shape your meatballs. Scoop out some mixture and roll it into a ball. Aim for about 1 inch in size. You should get 20 to 24 meatballs. Place them on a plate or tray as you go. Keep them neat and ready for cooking. Now, let’s make the honey garlic sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk together: - 1/2 cup pure honey - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil Mix until smooth and well combined. This sauce adds a sweet and savory touch. It’s time to cook! Place the shaped meatballs in the slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce over them. Make sure each meatball gets coated with sauce. Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Set it to low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours. The meatballs will be tender and full of flavor. If you like a thicker sauce, here’s how to do it. Mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with a few tablespoons of cold water. This creates a slurry. Stir this into the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking. It will help the sauce get rich and thick. Once cooked, transfer the meatballs to a serving dish. Don’t forget the sauce! Garnish your dish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. This adds color and a fresh taste. Enjoy your meal! To get the right texture for your meatballs, mix gently. Avoid overworking the meat. This keeps them tender. Use ground turkey for a lighter option. For breadcrumbs, try crushed crackers or oats. Both add good texture. To thicken your honey garlic sauce, cornstarch works well. Mix it with water to create a slurry. Stir this into the sauce during the last 30 minutes. This helps avoid a watery sauce. If you like, reduce the sauce by cooking it longer. For a creative serving idea, place meatballs on a platter with toothpicks. This makes them easy to grab at parties. Serve them over jasmine rice for a nice touch. You can drizzle more honey on top. Finish with sesame seeds for extra flavor and fun! {{image_4}} You can swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. This keeps the meatballs light but still tasty. Ground turkey has less fat, making it a healthy choice. For a plant-based option, use lentils or chickpeas. These choices add protein and flavor while being meat-free. To make your meatballs extra special, try adding spices. Garlic powder or ginger can boost the flavor. Fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley also work well. If you want more sweetness, add an extra spoon of honey. You can adjust the sauce to your taste easily. If you have an Instant Pot, you can cook these meatballs faster. Just set it to manual, and cook for about 8 minutes. For oven-baked meatballs, place them on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, then pour the sauce over them after baking. To store leftover meatballs, let them cool first. Place them in an airtight container. This helps keep the meatballs fresh. You can store them in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to save meatballs for later, freezing is a good option. First, let them cool completely. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. You can freeze meatballs for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw in the fridge overnight. For reheating, you can use the microwave or stovetop. If you use the microwave, place the meatballs in a bowl and cover them. Heat in short bursts to avoid drying them out. If you use the stovetop, warm them in a pan with a bit of sauce. This helps keep them moist. Both methods work well, but the stovetop keeps the meatballs juicier. You should cook the meatballs on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. This gives them time to soak in the sweet and sticky honey garlic sauce. The meatballs will be tender and full of flavor when done. Yes, you can make these meatballs ahead of time! Prepare the meatballs and sauce. Store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready, just place them in the slow cooker and cook as directed. This makes meal prep easy and saves time during busy days. These meatballs go well with many sides. Try serving them over steamed jasmine rice for a filling meal. You can also add a side of roasted veggies or a fresh salad. For a fun touch, serve them with toothpicks for easy snacking at parties. To make fewer servings, simply scale down the ingredients. If you want 3-4 servings, use half of each ingredient. For example, use 1/2 pound of meat and 1/8 cup of breadcrumbs. Adjust the cooking times slightly, but the flavor will still shine through! Absolutely! If you want to try a different sauce, sweet chili sauce works well. You can also use teriyaki sauce for a different twist. Feel free to mix and match sauces to suit your taste! This blog shows how to make tasty honey garlic meatballs. You learned about the ingredients, from ground beef to honey sauce. I shared step-by-step instructions and tips for perfect meatballs. You can try different proteins or flavors based on your taste. Remember, these meatballs are easy to store and reheat. By following these tips, you can enjoy a delicious meal any time. Dive into this recipe and make it your own! Enjoy cooking!

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

Savor the irresistible taste of Sticky Sweet Honey Garlic Meatballs with this simple slow-cooker recipe! Perfect for busy nights or entertaining guests, these tender meatballs are coated in a rich honey garlic sauce that's packed with flavor. Whether you choose beef or turkey, this dish is sure to please! Click through for the full recipe and impress your family and friends with this delicious treat!
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Ingredients
  

1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter version)

1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 large egg

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

1/2 cup pure honey

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1 teaspoon cornstarch (for thickening the sauce)

2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnishing)

Sesame seeds (for garnishing)

Instructions
 

Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or turkey) with the seasoned breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Use your hands to mix the ingredients thoroughly until everything is evenly incorporated.

    Shape the Meatballs: Scoop out the mixture and roll it into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. You should end up with approximately 20 to 24 meatballs. Place them on a plate or tray as you go.

      Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil. Mix until well blended and smooth.

        Slow Cook the Meatballs: Place the formed meatballs in the slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the meatballs, ensuring each meatball is well coated with the sauce.

          Cook the Meatballs: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 4-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, until the meatballs are thoroughly cooked and tender.

            Thicken the Sauce (optional): For a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with a few tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking and gently mix it into the sauce.

              Garnish and Serve: Once the meatballs are cooked, carefully transfer them along with the sauce to a serving dish. Garnish generously with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.

                Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 6 hours | Servings: 6

                  - Presentation Tips: For a delightful presentation, serve the meatballs over a fluffy bed of steamed jasmine rice. Alternatively, arrange the meatballs on a serving platter with toothpicks for easy serving at parties. Drizzle a bit of extra honey and a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top for an eye-catching finish.