Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs

Honey garlic meatballs are tender and sweet with just the right amount of heat. Prep these in 5 minutes and let the crockpot do the rest!

We all have those days where we forgot to pull the meat from the freezer to thaw or we’re just too busy to cook.

Enter this simple recipe - it can be thrown together with a handful of ingredients, and you may already have everything on hand.

Crockpot meatballs with sauce is such an easy dinner option for the whole family, which is why I have Italian and honey sriracha versions as well.

And when there are only two or three people to feed, there’s plenty for leftovers!

Honey Garlic Meatballs - Tips and Tricks

• Stir occasionally. The ones towards the top may start to brown, so give everything a good stir every hour or so to keep them evenly coated.
• In a hurry? Since frozen meatballs are precooked, you can cook them on High for 2 hours instead. I still recommend using the Low setting if possible - the longer everything has to marinate, the more flavor you’ll get in every bite.
• Create a glaze. You can take the lid off after 2 hours to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. Or, transfer the sauce to a pan on the stove once the honey garlic meatballs are done cooking and simmer until thickened.
• Add some heat. Mix in a dash or two of red pepper flakes if you want them to be a little spicy.

Serving Suggestions

We love to spoon these over rice or mashed potatoes for an easy, filling meal. Throw together a simple salad or steamed veggies at the last minute to add some green to your plate if you would like.

They make a great party appetizer as well! Transfer them to a platter with toothpicks or let guests help themselves right out of the crockpot so they stay nice and warm.

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

• Slow Cooker - Great for soups, roasts, shredded chicken, and more! I love it in the cooler months, but it’s also great in the summer when you don’t want to heat up the whole house with the oven.
• Heat resistant spoon or spatula - You only need one tool for cooking, stirring, and serving!

FAQ - Common Recipe Questions

Should I thaw meatballs before putting them in the crockpot?

As long as they are precooked, there’s no need for the extra step. Dump in the whole bag straight from the freezer!

The slow cooker will transform them from rock hard spheres to tender, juicy morsels in just a few hours!

Can I use a different BBQ sauce?

Sure! I’ve used a Spicy Honey BBQ when I wanted to give it a little kick, or you can combine a hickory flavor with some extra honey to make your own version.

How do I store leftover crockpot meatballs with sauce?

Allow them to cool, then transfer to a storage container with a lid. Place them in the refrigerator and use within 5 to 7 days for best results.

You can also freeze them for up to 3 months and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

To warm them back up, microwave in batches or simmer with the sauce on the stove until heated through to the center.

Enjoy!

With love from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Yield: 8

Author: Donna Elick

Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs

Honey garlic meatballs are tender and sweet with just the right amount of heat. Prep these in 5 minutes and let the crockpot do the rest!

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 4 HourTotal time: 4 H & 5 M

Ingredients

• 1 (32-ounce) bag of frozen, cooked meatballs (or my Italian herb baked meatballs)
• 1 (40-ounce) container honey BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 8 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

1. Mix together the brown sugar, honey, honey BBQ sauce, and garlic in a medium bowl.
2. Dump the meatballs into the crockpot and pour the sauce over, stirring to coat all of the meatballs.
3. Cook on low for 4 hours, stirring every hour or so.
4. Enjoy!

https://www.theslowroasteditalian.com/2021/05/crockpot-honey-garlic-meatballs.html

Recipe developed by Donna Elick forThe Slow Roasted Italian
Copyright ©2021 The Slow Roasted Italian – All rights reserved.

Originally published May 2021

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