Mouthwatering Honey Garlic Meatballs are the perfect balance of all things tangy and sweet. Being the perfect pop-able bite, these meatballs are perfect for serving at parties, tailgates and potlucks.
Juicy, tender and flavorful Honey Garlic Meatballs are delicious. Round out the dish by doubling the sauce and serving alongside our favorite foolproof baked rice for an easy weeknight dinner.
Served as an appetizer, finger food or quick and easy dinner Honey Garlic Meatballs are a go-to recipe in our meal time arsenal. Get dinner on the table in a matter of minutes. Throw in those frozen meatballs and let your crockpot or Instant Pot do the heavy lifting.
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🥫 Ingredients
Super affordable and budget friendly this dish has just six ingredients. Most you probably already have on hand in your pantry, making this dish quick and easy to prepare!
- Meatballs
- Ketchup
- Honey
- Brown Sugar
- Minced Garlic
- Soy Sauce
(Scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements and full printable instructions.)
🥣 Step by Step Instructions
Add Meatballs to Pot
Can you cook frozen meatballs without defrosting them? Absolutely! We are all about getting dinner on the table as quick and easy as possible. And this recipe is the perfect way to do just that. Firstly, add your meatballs to the instant pot.
Make the Sauce
Then in a small sauce pan combine all of the other ingredients for the sauce. Over medium-low heat warm the sauce on the stovetop and stir till combined. Afterwards, pour the sauce over the meatballs and stir them completely to coat.
Seal and Cook
Lastly set the lid on the pressure cooker to seal and cook on manual pressure for 2 minutes. Once the instant pot is done quick release. When done cooking serve and enjoy!
⏲️ Cooking Methods
Instant Pot (2 minute cook time)
Firstly, put Instant Pot on sauté mode. Then, combine all ingredients for the sauce in the bottom of the pot. Afterwards, when the pot is hot stir everything together for 2 to 3 minutes so it can get thick and bubbly. Then add frozen meatballs to the pot and stir to make sure everything is coated well.
Then place lid on the Instant Pot and set to cook on manual pressure for 2 minutes. Afterwards, quick release the pressure cooker and open the lid when it is finished. Enjoy! (If you haven't added an Instant Pot to your kitchen arsenal and are on the lookout for one check it out HERE!)
Oven Baked (15 minute cook time)
To bake your Honey Garlic Meatballs in the oven firstly pre-heat the oven to 400 F. Then line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment or foil for easy cleanup. Afterwards place frozen meatballs in a bowl with the sauce and toss to coat. Then place meatballs on the baking sheet, using the leftover sauce to baste meatballs for a sticky glaze. Lastly bake in the oven for 15 minutes and enjoy.
Crockpot or Slow Cooker (4 hour cook time)
Firstly, spray slow cooker or line with disposable liner for easier cleanup. Secondly, prepare the sauce in a small bowl by mixing everything together. Or instead of using a bowl you can also stir the sauce together directly in the crockpot for one less dish to have to mess with later.
Thirdly, add frozen meatballs to the slow cooker and pour sauce over the top. Lastly, stir everything together to coat the meatballs with sauce and let it cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours.
🥗 Side Dishes
Firstly, Honey Garlic Meatballs make the perfect accompaniment with just about anything you want to pair it up with! There are endless ways to enjoy them!
Serve with toothpicks as an easy cocktail appetizer alongside these other game day favorites. Or swing for the fences and make them the star of the show at dinner! These delicious little balls of flavor go great over steamed rice or buttered noodles.
We have enjoyed them alongside our favorite mashed potatoes or a creamy mac-n-cheese. Use them to make meatball sandwiches or sliders with a favorite dinner roll. Honestly, there really is no wrong way to enjoy these bad boys!!
And if you find yourself feeling extra fancy, garnishing them off with chopped chives or fresh parsley. Lastly, sprinkle on some sesame seeds for a little extra crunch or double the honey garlic sauce and serve it extra saucy with rice or potatoes.
No matter how they are served up, everyone is gonna be begging to be the official taste testers. Luna and Dash were definitely first to volunteer over here.
👩🏻🍳 Make it Your Own
Fresh vs. Frozen
Yes, yes, yes! If you prefer to make your own homemade meatballs have no fear! You can absolutely adapt it to use delicious homemade meatballs versus a frozen option.
However, there is one adjustment that will need to be made. Raw meatballs need to be baked in the oven or seared in a pan before adding any sauce. They have to be at least three-fourths of the way cooked to hold their shape and stay together better when cooking in the sauce later.
📋 FAQ's
Can I use fresh meatballs instead of frozen?
If you prefer to make your own homemade meatballs have no fear! You can absolutely adapt this Honey Garlic Meatball dish to use delicious homemade meatballs in place of frozen ones.
However, there is one adjustment to keep in mind. Raw meatballs need to be baked in the oven or seared in a pan before adding any sauce. They have to be at least three-fourths of the way cooked to hold their shape and stay together better when cooking in the sauce later.
Do meatballs need to be thawed to cook in the Instant Pot?
Frozen meatballs work great in the Instant Pot. No need to thaw them before cooking. We are all about getting dinner on the table as quick and easy as possible. And Honey Garlic Meatballs are the perfect recipe for just that.
Are meatballs a good budget friendly meal?
Honey Garlic Meatballs are the perfect option for large family meals, potlucks and family reunions! With a small handful of ingredients this quick and easy meal comes together beautifully.
Get a big batch going in your crockpot, steam some rice and you are ready for feeding the masses!
📖 Recipe
Honey Garlic Meatballs
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup honey
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 28 ounces frozen meatballs
Instructions
Crockpot - Slow Cook
- Spray slow cooker or line with disposable liner for easier cleanup.
- Prepare the sauce in a small bowl by mixing together brown sugar, honey, ketchup, soy sauce and garlic.. (You can also stir the sauce together directly in the crockpot for one less dish to mess with.)¼ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup honey, ½ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Add frozen meatballs and sauce to the slow cooker.28 ounces frozen meatballs
- Stir together to coat meatballs with sauce.
- Cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Oven - Bake
- Pre-heat oven to 400℉. Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment or foil for easy cleanup.
- In a bowl mix brown sugar, honey, ketchup, soy sauce and garlic.¼ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup honey, ½ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Place frozen pre-cooked meatballs in the bowl with sauce and toss to coat.28 ounces frozen meatballs
- Place meatballs on the baking sheet. Using the leftover sauce baste meatballs for a sticky glaze.
- Bake in oven for 15 minutes.
Instant Pot - Pressure Cook
- Set Instant Pot on sauté mode. Inside pot combine brown sugar, honey, ketchup, soy sauce and garlic.¼ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup honey, ½ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Stir until thick and bubbly (2-3 minutes).
- Add frozen meatballs to pot. Stir to cover meatballs with sauce till coated.28 ounces frozen meatballs
- Place lid on the Instant Pot and set to cook on manual pressure for 2 minutes.
- When timer goes off, quick release pressure, open the lid and enjoy!
Charlotte says
I made these for a family BBQ a few months ago, and they went down a hit. Everyone loved them and wanted the recipe. I’ve now got to make them every event 😂 please can you tell us what meal we could do with these? We’ve tried noodles but the sauce was too sweet and we absolutely love the meatballs!
Jaclyn G says
My picky(ish) eaters who don't usually like anything with a sauce liked these! We'll be making them again!
I also made the double berry custard pie, and I can't wait to try it after dinner!
Laura says
I make the sauce & coat the meatballs in a gallon size ziplock bag, and cover the pan in foil to make this just a tiny bit easier! I never measure the sauce ingredients—this recipe is extremely forgiving. We usually serve it with oven roasted potatoes, but it’s also great alongside some rice or a Caesar salad
Katrina Olson says
Made these for New Years 2022. Now I have to bring them every party.