Description

A sticky, sweet, and savory slow cooker appetizer perfect for game day. These honey garlic meatballs are easy to make, gluten-free friendly, and disappear fast.

Ingredients

Scale

32 ounces frozen meatballs (beef, pork, or mix)
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
4 cloves minced garlic (or 2 tablespoons jarred)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
2 stalks green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, ginger, and red pepper flakes until mostly combined.
In a separate small bowl, whisk cornstarch and water until smooth to create a slurry.
Pour the honey-garlic sauce mixture into the bottom of a 4-6 quart slow cooker.
Add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker.
Pour the cornstarch slurry over the meatballs and gently stir to distribute.
Cover and cook on High for 2-3 hours or Low for 4-5 hours, until meatballs are heated through and sauce is glossy and thickened.
If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered for the last 15 minutes. If too thick, add a splash of water.
Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

For best results, thaw meatballs slightly before cooking to ensure even heating. The cornstarch is crucial for thickening the sauce; do not skip it. This recipe is naturally dairy-free. To make it gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and ensure meatballs are gluten-free. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2-3 hours (High) or 4-5 hours (Low)
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: Asian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: Approximately 8 meat
Calories: 280
Sugar: 24
Sodium: 680
Fat: 12
Carbohydrates: 32
Protein: 12

Keywords: slow cooker meatballs, honey garlic meatballs, football party food, game day appetizer, easy crockpot recipes, gluten-free appetizer