There’s something hypnotic about the way honey and garlic come together. It’s a bold, sticky, sweet-savory combo that’s hard to resist, especially when it clings to tender meatballs. I still remember the first time I made these honey garlic meatballs for my husband. I tossed them in the sauce, crossed my fingers, and waited. He took one bite, looked up, and just said, “More.” That’s all I needed. These meatballs went from a random experiment to a weekly request, and now, they’re a favorite I’m thrilled to share.
Let’s get into what makes this dish so Dailycious.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honey garlic meatballs are easy to make, full of flavor, and incredibly versatile. You can serve them as an appetizer, toss them over rice, or tuck them into slider buns for a crowd-pleasing meal. The sauce is rich but not heavy; a sweet garlic glaze that thickens beautifully. You won’t need any fancy tools or ingredients either. It’s just honest cooking with a big payoff.
Even better? They freeze well, reheat like a dream, and make you look like a dinner genius with barely any effort. If you love meals like crockpot BBQ chicken or sticky garlic chicken noodles, these meatballs will be your new go-to.
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Honey Garlic Meatballs
These honey garlic meatballs are sweet, sticky, garlicky, and perfect for dinner, appetizers, or meal prep. Easy to make and always a crowd favorite.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup soy sauce
⅓ cup honey
2 tbsp ketchup
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet.
2. In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, and 1 minced garlic clove.
3. Form into small meatballs and place on the baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
5. In a saucepan, combine soy sauce, honey, ketchup, and remaining garlic.
6. Simmer sauce for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Toss cooked meatballs in sauce until fully coated and glossy.
8. Serve warm with your choice of sides.
Notes
You can freeze these meatballs after cooking. Reheat in the microwave or on stovetop.
Add a pinch of chili flakes for a spicy twist.
Serve over rice, noodles, or as party appetizers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4–5 meatballs
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Ingredients
You’ll need just a few pantry staples to whip these up:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ground beef | 1 lb |
| Breadcrumbs | ½ cup |
| Egg | 1 large |
| Garlic (minced) | 3 cloves |
| Soy sauce | ¼ cup |
| Honey | ⅓ cup |
| Ketchup | 2 tbsp |
Simple, flavorful, and ready for action; just like these cheddar-stuffed meatloaf morsels.
How to Make these Honey Garlic Meatballs
- Mix the meatball base: Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, and one minced garlic clove. Roll into small balls.
- Bake or pan-fry: Cook meatballs until golden and cooked through.
- Make the sauce: In a saucepan, stir together soy sauce, honey, ketchup, and remaining garlic. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Glaze the meatballs: Toss the cooked meatballs in the sauce until well-coated and glossy.
That’s it. You’ve got yourself irresistible homemade honey garlic meatballs. You could even pair them with garlic butter bread rolls to soak up the extra sauce.
Tips and Variations
• Protein swap: Ground chicken or turkey works great. Try this honey garlic ground turkey recipe for a lighter twist.
• Spice it up: Add crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
• Make it a meal: Serve over rice or noodles. Add steamed broccoli for a balanced plate.
• Gluten-free tip: Use almond flour and tamari instead of breadcrumbs and soy sauce.
You can even batch these and freeze them just like our creamy turkey stroganoff. Great for meal prep or surprise guests!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I freeze these honey garlic meatballs?
Absolutely. Once cooled, freeze in a sealed container. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of water.
2. Can I make these in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown the meatballs first, then cook on low in sauce for 2–3 hours. Works wonderfully, like slow cooker salisbury steak meatballs.
3. What goes well with honey garlic meatballs?
Rice, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or even skewered for party bites.
4. Can I make them ahead?
Yes. Store cooked meatballs and sauce separately for up to 3 days. Combine and reheat before serving.
Final Bite
Honey garlic meatballs are the kind of meal that feels fancy but comes together in minutes. Sweet, savory, and undeniably crowd-pleasing, they’re perfect for everything from quick weeknights to holiday appetizers. You’ll be amazed at how often they end up in your meal rotation, just like they did in ours.
For more easy and satisfying recipes, join me on Pinterest – where good food meets great company!
