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Lighter Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs: Easy 4-Ingredient Recipe

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These lighter crockpot honey garlic meatballs are sticky, sweet, and tender, made with lean ground turkey and a simple honey garlic sauce. They’re perfect for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or feeding a crowd, and they come together with just 15 minutes of prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93/7)
  • 1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 green onions, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water
  • Sesame seeds for garnish
  • Chopped green onions for garnish
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 pound lean ground turkey, 1/3 cup breadcrumbs, 1 beaten egg, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.
  2. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls (about 20 to 24 meatballs) and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a tiny bit of oil. Working in batches, brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. Do not cook through.
  4. While the meatballs are browning, whisk together 1/3 cup honey, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a small bowl.
  5. Place the browned meatballs in a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker. Pour the sauce over them and gently toss to coat.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water). Cook uncovered for the last 20 minutes to thicken.
  7. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve over rice, noodles, or as desired.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the meatballs for best flavor. If your slow cooker runs hot, check at 3 hours on low. Double the sauce if desired. For a gluten-free version, use tamari and gluten-free breadcrumbs. For a low-carb option, use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs and serve over cauliflower rice.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot meatballs, honey garlic meatballs, lighter meatballs, slow cooker meatballs, ground turkey meatballs, easy dinner recipe

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/lighter-crockpot-honey-garlic-meatballs-easy-4-ingredient-recipe/