Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs (5-Ingredient Recipe)
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Honey garlic meatballs are tender and sweet with just the right amount of heat. Prep these honey BBQ meatballs in 5 minutes and let the crockpot do the rest! Easy recipes like this make the perfect finger foods!
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.
You might not have time to make homemade meatballs for dinner as the main course, but there’s a good chance that you have time to whip up these honey garlic crockpot meatballs!
You can enjoy them as a main dish over white rice or pasta, or choose to eat these bad boys as an appetizer for your next party.
They have so much flavor – and all you need are simple ingredients!
This easy meatball recipe proves that premade meatball can really taste like homestyle meatballs by adding a yummy sticky glaze.
This is my go-to recipe when I want slow cooker meatballs for party guests or a simple snack for the entire family.
Honey Garlic Meatballs
Enter this simple honey garlic meatballs 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.
While you’ve got it out, check out my Top 10 Crockpot Dinner Ideas!
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, check out my low carb meatballs!
And when there are only two or three people to feed, there’s plenty for leftovers!
Honey Garlic Meatballs Crockpot Tips and Tricks
- Stir occasionally. The honey garlic meatballs 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 bbq meatballs are done cooking and simmer until thickened. - Add some heat. Mix in a dash or two of red pepper flakes if you want your slow cooker honey garlic meatballs to be a little spicy.
Honey BBQ Meatballs Serving Suggestions
We love to spoon honey garlic meatballs 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 to honey garlic meatballs in the crockpot so they stay nice and warm.
Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe FAQ
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!
Sure! I’ve used a Spicy Honey BBQ when I wanted to give this honey garlic meatballs recipe a little kick.
You can also combine a hickory flavor with some extra honey to make your own version.
Absolutely. The recipe card may call for beef or a combination of pork and beef, but these tender meatballs work well when turkey meatballs are used, too! This is a simple way to cut out a little bit of fat content from an easy weeknight dinner.
Just grab what you need to make the sauce ingredients, and you’re set!
Storing and Reheating Leftover Meatballs
Allow meatballs to cool, then transfer them 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 slow cooker honey garlic meatballs for up to 3 months and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
To warm them back up, microwave honey garlic meatballs 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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Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs (5-Ingredient Recipe)
Ingredients
- 32 ounce bag of frozen, cooked meatballs (or my Italian herb baked meatballs)
- 40 ounce container of Honey BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Mix together the brown sugar, honey, honey BBQ sauce, and garlic in a medium bowl.
- Dump the meatballs into the crockpot and pour the sauce over, stirring to coat all of the meatballs.
- Cook on low for 4 hours, stirring every hour or so.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published May 2021, updated and republished April 2024
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These are such awesome meatballs. They’re good for appetizers and awesome as part of a meal!
Love the recipe but I’ve got to make my meatballs! Store bought has pork in them! Don’t like getting sick! Meatballs are always a hit!🙌🏾🥰❤️
Hi Tanya many stores & Wal-Mart carry fully cooked, All Beef Meatballs, Chicken Meatballs, Turkey Meatballs. I’ve tried them all & they are really good.
You just have to maybe ask an associate if you can’t find them
I’d love to try it, but as a diabetic, the carb and sugar levels are way out of bounds. And they look so good.
It would be very easy to make this recipe one that will fit into a low carb way of eating. There are many sugar free BBQ sauces available in the stores, as well as low carb brown sugar.
Hi Cathy,
Thank you for letting our readers know! Have a great day!
TSRI Team Member,
Holli