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Honey Garlic Meatballs

These Honey Garlic Meatballs are tender, juicy, and coated in a sticky-sweet garlic sauce that’s packed with flavor. Perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, or game day snacks, this easy recipe comes together with simple pantry ingredients and always gets rave reviews.

Honey garlic meatballs are one of those recipes that work for just about every occasion. They’re hearty enough for a family dinner, yet easy and flavorful enough to serve for guests.

Whether you’re hosting a party, planning a casual get-together, or just trying to get dinner on the table without a lot of fuss, this recipe fits right in.

What makes these meatballs extra special is the sauce. The combination of sweet honey and savory soy sauce creates that irresistible sticky glaze that clings to every bite.

Add in real butter and plenty of garlic, and you end up with a sauce that tastes like it simmered all day — even though it comes together in minutes.

Ingredients

Meatballs

• 1½ pounds ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Honey Garlic Sauce

• ½ cup honey
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons ketchup (optional, but adds depth)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

Make the Meatballs

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix just until combined.
4. Roll mixture into 1–1½ inch meatballs and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Cook the Meatballs

5. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned.

Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

6. While meatballs bake, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
7. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
8. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and ketchup.
9. Bring to a gentle simmer.
10. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and water together.
11. Stir into sauce and cook 1–2 minutes, until thickened.

Combine

12. Add cooked meatballs to the skillet and toss to coat evenly.
13. Simmer for 2–3 minutes so the meatballs absorb the sauce.

Jennie’s Thoughts

This honey garlic sauce is one of my favorites because it’s perfectly balanced — sweet, savory, and loaded with garlic flavor. I love serving these meatballs over rice for dinner or keeping them warm in a slow cooker for parties. They’re simple, reliable, and always disappear fast.

Serving Ideas

• Serve over white or jasmine rice
• Pair with steamed broccoli or green beans
• Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks
• Add to slider buns for honey garlic meatball sliders

Storage & Make Ahead

• Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days
• Freeze cooked meatballs (with or without sauce) for up to 2 months
• Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave

Another great thing about this recipe is how well it works for meal prep. You can make the meatballs ahead of time and store them in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to use them. When it’s time to eat, simply warm them in the sauce and dinner is ready with almost no effort.

If you’re feeding a crowd, this recipe easily doubles or triples without any adjustments. That makes it perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or even as an appetizer for larger events. Just grab some toothpicks and watch them disappear.