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tailgate crockpot honey garlic meatballs - featured image

Tailgate Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs: The Real Way

  • Author: Natalia
  • Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10-12 servings 1x

Description

Sticky, tender, and sweet-savory honey garlic meatballs cooked in a slow cooker. Perfect for game days, parties, or easy weeknight dinners, these meatballs stay warm and juicy for hours.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground pork
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 large eggs
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 3 stalks green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water (for cornstarch slurry)
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground pork, ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, eggs, minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped green onions, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with hands until just combined; do not overmix.
  2. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. You should get about 40-50 meatballs. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. In a small skillet over medium heat, add a splash of oil. Sauté minced garlic and grated ginger for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Heat until brown sugar dissolves, then remove from heat.
  5. Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce mixture.
  6. Pour the sauce into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Place the raw meatballs on top of the sauce. Do not stir yet.
  7. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
  8. Once cooked, gently stir meatballs to coat in the thickened sauce. If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered for 15 minutes. If too thick, add a splash of water.
  9. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and drizzle with sesame oil. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid tough meatballs. Use fresh garlic and ginger for best flavor. Pork must reach 160°F internal temperature. Meatballs can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight before cooking. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Asian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 10 meatballs
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 18
  • Sodium: 450
  • Fat: 12
  • Saturated Fat: 4
  • Carbohydrates: 22
  • Fiber: 1
  • Protein: 18

Keywords: honey garlic meatballs, crockpot meatballs, slow cooker recipes, tailgate food, game day snacks, easy dinner, crowd pleaser, sticky meatballs

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Find it online: https://fooduvo.com/tailgate-crockpot-honey-garlic-meatballs-the-real-way/