When you need a quick and easy dinner or an fast hosting-friendly dish that delivers big flavor with minimal effort, these honey garlic meatballs always come through! I tweaked this recipe overtime after testing different variations. It’s one of my favorite recipes to serve for game day spreads, and casual gatherings where you want something warm, sticky, and crowd-pleasing without hovering over the stove. Using frozen meatballs keeps prep simple, while the homemade honey garlic sauce creates that glossy, savory-sweet coating that feels elevated and intentional.
Want to Email This for Later?
Email this post to yourself and we’ll share more inspiration when it’s ready!
Why You’ll Love These Honey Garlic Meatballs
- This recipe uses frozen meatballs for convenience without sacrificing flavor
- The sauce is made from pantry staples and comes together quickly
- The slow cooker does most of the work
- The meatballs turn out tender, glossy, and evenly coated
- This is a super versatile dish. It can be served as an appetizer or as a full meal with a side of rice
Ingredients
These meatballs come together with just a few ingredients:
- 28 oz frozen meatballs – fully cooked and straight from the freezer for convenience and tender results
- ⅔ cup brown sugar – adds rich sweetness and helps create a sticky glaze
- ⅔ cup rice vinegar – balances the sweetness with brightness and acidity
- ⅔ cup soy sauce – adds salty umami depth to the honey garlic sauce
- ¾ cup honey – creates the glossy, sticky honey garlic coating
- 2 tbsp sriracha – adds a little bit of heat to balance the sweet sauce
- 5 tbsp cornstarch – thickens the sauce so it clings to the meatballs
- 6 cloves garlic, minced – builds a bold, aromatic base that deepens the savory notes of the honey garlic sauce
How to Make Honey Garlic Meatballs
These addictive meatballs come together in four simple steps:
STEP 1: Make Honey Garlic Sauce – In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sriracha, garlic, and cornstarch until smooth.
STEP 2: Thicken Honey Garlic Sauce – Continue whisking as the sauce heats and begins to thicken. Once the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency, remove it from the heat.
STEP 3: Mix Meatballs and Sauce – Add frozen meatballs to the crock pot, then pour the thickened honey garlic sauce over the meatballs. Gently stir to evenly coat.
STEP 4: Slow Cook and Serve – Cover and cook on low for 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve warm as an appetizer or over rice and garnish with sesame seeds or green onions if desired. Enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
- Use low sodium soy sauce if you prefer a less salty sauce
- Swap sriracha for chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes
- Add grated fresh ginger for extra depth
- Increase sriracha slightly if you prefer more heat
- This sauce also works well with chicken or turkey meatballs
Hosting and Make-Ahead Tips
These crockpot honey garlic meatballs are ideal for entertaining since they stay warm in the slow cooker throughout an event. Serve them alongside other easy appetizers like sausage cheese dip, homemade salsa, antipasto skewers, or a classic charcuterie board. You can prepare the sauce ahead of time and refrigerate it, then assemble everything in the slow cooker just before cooking.
How to Store Honey Garlic Meatballs
Allow leftovers to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat gently in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the slow cooker until warmed through. You can also freeze these meatballs for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the slow cooker until warmed through, adding a small splash of water or chicken broth if the sauce needs loosening.
What to Serve with Meatballs
FAQ
Can this recipe be made with chicken meatballs?
Absolutely. Chicken meatballs work very well and pair nicely with the honey garlic sauce.
Do I need to thaw the frozen meatballs first?
No. Frozen meatballs can be added directly to the slow cooker.
Why is the sauce thickened before adding it to the crock pot?
Thickening the sauce first ensures it coats the meatballs properly and prevents it from becoming watery during cooking. If you dump all ingredients in the crockpot without thickening, the cornstarch will not blend properly, leaving an undesirable texture.
Recipe Card
Honey Garlic Meatballs
Ingredients
- 28 oz Frozen Meatballs
- ⅔ cup Brown Sugar
- ⅔ cup Rice Vinegar
- ⅔ cup Soy Sauce
- ¾ cup Honey
- 2 tbsp Sriracha
- 5 tbsp Cornstarch
- 6 cloves Garlic, minced
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sriracha, garlic, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Continue whisking as the sauce heats and begins to thicken. Once the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency, remove it from the heat.
- Add frozen meatballs to the crock pot, then pour the thickened honey garlic sauce over the meatballs. Gently stir to evenly coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve warm as an appetizer or over rice and garnish with sesame seeds or green onions if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use low sodium soy sauce if you prefer a less salty sauce
- Swap sriracha for chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes
- Add grated fresh ginger for extra depth
- Increase sriracha slightly if you prefer more heat
- This sauce also works well with chicken or turkey meatballs
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Craving More?
If you make this honey garlic meatball recipe, tag me on Instagram at @elicitfolio, follow along on Pinterest, or leave a comment below and tell me what other appetizers or slow cooker meals you would love to see next.
I love meatballs! I must admit though that I have never tried the honey garlic variety before! I’m looking forward to giving the recipe a try!
You captured my stomach and palate on honey garlic!
I love dishes that combine sweet and savory flavors for a unique food experience.
I don’t eat meat but could see myself enjoying a tofu or fish version. Yummy!
Oh this is right up my street. The way you explained how to get the meatballs juicy without overmixing the meat was so helpful. And that glossy sauce clinging to each one looks amazing. Definitely adding this to next week’s dinner plan.
I simply love the convenience of recipes that are versatile and come together quickly! This sauce is to die for good, I used low sodium soy sauce as that’s how we love it, thanks for sharing!