Can I use homemade meatballs instead of frozen?

Absolutely! Just make sure they’re fully cooked before adding them to the slow cooker. The sauce will cling beautifully to them.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! Store cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Warm them in the slow cooker or stovetop before serving.

What can I serve with them?

Rice, mashed potatoes, noodles — even veggie sides like steamed broccoli or green beans. They go with pretty much anything.

Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?

You sure can! Just use the sauté function to mix the sauce, add the meatballs, and cook on high pressure for about 5 minutes. Quick release, stir, and serve!

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs: 4-Ingredient Magic

Name: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound frozen meatballs (any brand works); 1 cup ketchup; ½ cup honey; ¼ cup soy sauce; 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder); 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Description

These Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs are the ultimate easy comfort food — sweet, savory, and sticky in all the right ways. With just a few pantry ingredients and frozen meatballs, you can create a crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or game day gatherings. Simply toss everything into your slow cooker, walk away, and come back to deliciousness.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound frozen meatballs (any brand works)
1 cup ketchup
½ cup honey
¼ cup soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

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Instructions

Make the Sauce: In your slow cooker, combine ketchup, honey, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic. Stir until well mixed.
Add Meatballs: Add frozen meatballs directly into the slow cooker. Stir gently until all meatballs are evenly coated in the sauce.
Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 1.5–2 hours, until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce is thick and glossy.
Serve: Spoon into a serving bowl and enjoy warm as an appetizer, over rice, or in sliders!

Notes

For a thinner sauce, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of water before serving.
These reheat beautifully — store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Want to make it extra pretty? Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for color and freshness.
You can use homemade cooked meatballs instead of frozen ones if preferred.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Category: Main Dish / Appetizer
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 5–6 meatballs
Calories: 380 kcal
Sugar: 28 g
Sodium: 780 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 19 g
Cholesterol: 45 mg