Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Beef Meatballs Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For a slightly spicy kick, add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the barbecue sauce before pouring it over the meatballs. This adds a subtle heat that cuts through the sweetness of the honey and provides a more complex flavor profile for those who enjoy a bit of spice.

If you are serving these as an appetizer, keep them warm in the slow cooker on the 'warm' setting for up to two hours. This keeps the glaze at the perfect consistency for dipping and ensures the meatballs remain piping hot for your guests throughout the duration of the event.

Variations

• Spicy Honey Glaze: Incorporate two tablespoons of sriracha or chili garlic sauce into the barbecue mixture. This variation adds a vibrant heat that balances the honey perfectly, making it a popular choice for game day gatherings.
• Pineapple Honey Meatballs: Add one cup of canned pineapple chunks to the slow cooker along with the other ingredients. The acidity of the pineapple cuts through the rich barbecue sauce and adds a refreshing, tropical sweetness to the dish.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freeze in a sealed, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating thoroughly.

Reheat

Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Allow any leftovers to cool to room temperature for no more than two hours before transferring them to an airtight container.

Keep the meatballs in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, ensure they are heated until they are steaming throughout to maintain food safety standards.

This dish is excellent for making ahead as the flavors develop even further after sitting in the sauce.

You can assemble the ingredients in the slow cooker insert, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. Simply remove the insert from the fridge and place it in the base when you are ready to cook.

Serving ideas

Serve these meatballs hot, directly from the slow cooker with a small spoon or a set of tongs nearby. Providing plenty of toothpicks makes them easy for guests to grab and enjoy.

If serving as a main course, pair them with steamed white rice or a side of roasted vegetables to balance the richness of the barbecue glaze.

For a more casual presentation, place the platter in the center of the table so guests can help themselves. Because the sauce is quite sticky, ensure there are napkins available for easy cleanup.

If you have extra sauce remaining in the slow cooker, you can drizzle a little more over the top of the meatballs before taking them to the table.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Beef Meatballs

Prep 5 minCook 4 hRest 5 minTotal 4 h 10 minServes 6

Ingredients

• 2 lb frozen beef meatballs
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 packet garlic herb seasoning
• 1 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions

1. Place the frozen beef meatballs into the bottom of the slow cooker insert. Ensure they are distributed in an even layer across the base to allow for consistent heating during the cooking process.
2. Drizzle the honey over the meatballs. Sprinkle the garlic herb seasoning packet evenly over the top. Pour the barbecue sauce over the mixture, ensuring it coats the meatballs as much as possible.
3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C). Once done, let the meat rest at least 3 minutes before serving with toothpicks on a plate.

Contains: gluten, milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

350

Protein

18 g

Carbohydrates

32 g

Fat

16 g

Fiber

1 g

Sugar

28 g

Sodium

850 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.