These Honey Garlic Crockpot Meatballs are absolutely addictive-tender, juicy, and drenched in a glossy honey garlic sauce that's both sweet and savory. Imagine perfectly poppable bites that melt in your mouth, with a sticky glaze you'll want to lick right off your fingers!

The best part? This recipe is nearly effortless thanks to the slow cooker. Just toss everything in, set it, and a few hours later you've got a crowd-pleasing appetizer or easy main dish ready to wow everyone.

Whether you're feeding a hungry family on a busy weeknight or hosting a party where you want zero stress, these meatballs deliver big, bold flavor with minimal fuss. Inspired by my love of easy game day food, they've quickly become a go-to in my kitchen!

Sticky Honey Garlic Meatballs simmering in a slow cooker

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Set-and-forget ease: The crockpot does all the work for you-no stovetop mess or babysitting required.
Flavor-packed: The simple sauce combines honey, garlic, and soy for maximum sweet-savory goodness with every bite.
Versatile serving: Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks or over rice for a complete meal.
Perfect for parties: A total crowd-pleaser that always disappears fast at potlucks, game days, or family gatherings.

Key Ingredients for Honey Garlic Crockpot Meatballs

See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.

Ground Beef

This forms the juicy, classic base of the meatballs, providing a meaty, satisfying bite. For best results, opt for 80 to 85 percent lean ground beef-it keeps the meatballs moist but not greasy. In a pinch, ground turkey or ground chicken can be swapped in for a lighter version; just note that the texture may be a bit more delicate.

Honey

Honey is the star sweetener, lending that irresistible sticky glaze to the meatballs. Pure honey has the richest flavor, but if you only have clover or wildflower varieties, those work great too. You can also swap in maple syrup for a slightly different (but still delicious) twist.

Garlic

Fresh garlic infuses the sauce and meatballs with deep, aromatic flavor. Mince it finely for even distribution. In a rush, you can use pre-minced jars or even garlic powder-use about one teaspoon powder for every clove, but fresh always tastes best here.

Soy Sauce

Brings that salty, umami-packed punch that perfectly balances the sweetness of the honey. Go for low-sodium soy sauce to keep things from getting too salty, or use tamari for a gluten-free alternative. Coconut aminos are another tasty, soy-free option.

Panko Bread Crumbs

Panko acts as a binder, keeping the meatballs light and tender. Regular breadcrumbs will work if that's what you have, but panko gives the fluffiest texture. For a gluten-free option, use your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Honey Garlic Crockpot Meatballs cooking process

Instructions for Honey Garlic Crockpot Meatballs

See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.

Mix and Form the Meatballs

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, panko bread crumbs, eggs, milk, half of the minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until everything is just combined-overworking makes the meatballs tough!

Shape and Arrange in Slow Cooker

Roll the mixture into 1 ½-inch balls, using about 2 tablespoons per meatball. Place them in a single layer in the bottom of your crockpot. They can be nestled close but avoid stacking for even cooking.

Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, the remaining garlic, and a pinch of black pepper. Pour the sauce evenly over the meatballs in the crockpot.

Slow Cook Until Tender

Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours or until meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is bubbling gently. If your crockpot runs hot, check them at 2 ½ hours to avoid overcooking.

Thicken the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Stir it into the crockpot, cover, and cook on HIGH for 10-15 more minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze.

Garnish and Serve

Gently toss the meatballs in the thickened sauce. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and sliced green onions just before serving for a fresh pop of color and flavor.

Recipe Variations

Swap the Protein

You can easily swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meatball that's just as tender and flavorful. Adjust cook time if needed-leaner proteins may cook slightly faster.

Add Some Heat

Craving a little kick? Stir in up to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce, or add a drizzle of Sriracha for sweet-and-spicy perfection!

Make It Gluten-Free

Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari in place of soy sauce, and double-check your ketchup is gluten-free. The rest of the recipe is naturally gluten-free!

Make It Egg-Free

Need to avoid eggs? Try swapping the eggs with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce or use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water per egg).

Go Vegetarian

For a meatless option, use your favorite frozen vegetarian or vegan meatballs and cook in the honey garlic sauce as directed. The result is just as crave-worthy.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these honey garlic crockpot meatballs over steamed white rice, brown rice, or fluffy quinoa to soak up every drop of the sweet-savory sauce. For a party appetizer, pile them onto a platter with toothpicks and a sprinkle of extra green onions or sesame seeds for extra flair. Pair with roasted veggies or a crisp Asian slaw to round out the meal.

Storage and Reheating

Let leftovers cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm meatballs and sauce together in a saucepan on medium-low heat or microwave in 1-minute bursts, stirring between each, until hot. These meatballs also freeze well-store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating as above.

Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Garlic Crockpot Meatballs (FAQ)

Q: Can I use frozen meatballs instead of making homemade?

A: Absolutely! If using frozen cooked meatballs, pour the sauce over them and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or until heated through and glazed.

Q: How do I make the meatballs extra tender?

A: Be careful not to overmix the meat mixture. Using milk and breadcrumbs helps keep them soft and juicy.

Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

A: Yes! You can fully cook the meatballs in advance and reheat them in the slow cooker for serving, or prep the raw meatballs and refrigerate them overnight.

These Honey Garlic Crockpot Meatballs are proof that effortless can still mean absolutely delicious. Sweet, savory, melt-in-your-mouth, and perfect for any crowd-what more could you want? Give them a try and let me know how they turn out in the comments below. Don't forget to leave a rating if they become your new favorite, too!