If there’s one dish that’s guaranteed to disappear at every gathering, it’s this irresistible Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe. The tender, juicy beef meatballs are coated in a glossy, garlicky-sweet glaze that clings to every nook and cranny, balancing savory, tangy, and subtly floral notes in each bite. Whether you serve them as an appetizer for a cozy gathering or as a centerpiece over fluffy rice, this Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe brings people together—get ready for lots of recipe requests and no leftovers!

Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed by how just a handful of everyday ingredients can deliver such knockout flavor in this dish! Each component of this Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe is thoughtfully chosen to elevate taste, texture, and color, from the fragrant garlic to the sweet honey and bright green garnishes.

Ground beef (1 pound): Offers a juicy, flavorful base for meatballs; try to use 80/20 meat for the best balance of tenderness and flavor.
Breadcrumbs (1/2 cup): Help bind the meatballs and give them a soft, ultra-moist bite.
Egg (1 large): Essential for holding everything together, plus it adds a bit of richness.
Garlic cloves, minced (2 + 2): Intensifies savory depth in both the meatballs and the sauce for double the flavor impact.
Finely chopped onion (1/4 cup): Adds a subtle sweetness and extra juiciness to every meatball.
Milk (2 tablespoons): Softens the breadcrumbs for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
Soy sauce (1 tablespoon for meatballs, 1/3 cup for sauce): Infuses the dish with umami and balances the sweetness of the honey.
Salt (1 teaspoon): Rounds out all the flavors—don’t skimp!
Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Adds gentle warmth and keeps the profile savory.
Olive oil (2 tablespoons): Perfect for browning the meatballs and bringing out that irresistible golden crust.
Honey (1/2 cup): The sweet, floral backbone of the glaze, creating shine and sticky goodness.
Ketchup (1/4 cup): Lends tang, color, and a touch of sweetness to the sauce.
Rice vinegar (2 tablespoons): Gives the glaze its pleasant tang and a fresh finish.
Sesame oil (1 teaspoon): For nutty aroma and a hint of toasty flavor in the sauce.
Cornstarch mixed with water (1 teaspoon + 1 tablespoon): Thickens the sauce to that glorious, silky consistency.
Sesame seeds & chopped green onions (for garnish): They add crunch, color, and an extra pop of savory freshness to finish the dish beautifully.

How to Make Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Meatball Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine your ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, milk, soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. The key here is to mix everything until just combined—overmixing can make the meatballs tough. Your mixture should be moist but hold its shape. If it feels too sticky, dust your hands with a bit of extra breadcrumbs or oil for easier shaping.

Step 2: Shape the Meatballs

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll them gently between your palms to form 1-inch meatballs. If you’re aiming for perfect uniformity (and even cooking), you can use a small cookie scoop. Place the shaped meatballs onto a plate or tray as you go—they’re ready for a hot skillet adventure!

Step 3: Brown the Meatballs

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully add the meatballs and let them sizzle away until deeply browned on all sides—about 8 to 10 minutes total should do the trick. They should be cooked through but still juicy. Once done, transfer them to a plate and set aside.

Step 4: Whisk Up the Honey Garlic Sauce

In the same skillet (hello, easy cleanup!), reduce the heat slightly and add the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and sesame oil. Give it a good whisk to combine and let it come up to a low simmer. You’ll notice the sauce starting to thicken and bubble after 2 to 3 minutes—this is when it gets fragrant and glossy.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

Stir in your cornstarch slurry (that’s your mix of cornstarch and water) and keep simmering briefly. This is the magic step that transforms your sauce into that luscious, clingy glaze, perfect for enveloping each meatball.

Step 6: Glaze the Meatballs

Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet and toss gently, making sure they’re all coated in that irresistible honey garlic glaze. Keep them moving for a minute or two on low heat until everything’s piping hot and sticky. You’re almost done—just a few garnishes away from flavor nirvana with this Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe!

How to Serve Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe

Garnishes

No Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe is complete without a final sprinkle of sesame seeds and a shower of freshly chopped green onions. These garnishes add a burst of color, a hint of crunch, and just the right note of freshness to balance the deep, savory-sweet glaze.

Side Dishes

These meatballs are totally versatile! For a hearty meal, nestle them over steamed jasmine rice or fluffy quinoa to soak up every drop of sauce. Roasted broccoli, snap peas, or a quick cucumber salad make perfect, refreshing partners that contrast the sweet and savory flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties and potlucks, spear each meatball with a cocktail pick and arrange them on a platter for the ultimate finger food. Or serve them in individual lettuce cups for a fun, crunchy appetizer. Leftovers? Tuck those saucy meatballs into a soft sandwich roll for a lunch that’s anything but boring.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe makes excellent leftovers. Cool meatballs to room temperature, then transfer them with extra sauce to an airtight container. Kept in the fridge, they’ll stay delicious and juicy for up to three days.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze these meatballs! Arrange cooled cooked meatballs (sauce and all) in freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags—just be sure to squeeze out any excess air. They’ll keep happily for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, place meatballs and sauce in a skillet over medium-low, stirring occasionally until heated through. For a quick fix, a minute or two in the microwave does the trick, just cover them to prevent splattering and retain moisture.

FAQs

Can I substitute the ground beef with another protein?

Absolutely! This Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe works beautifully with ground chicken, turkey, or even pork. Each swap offers its own unique texture and flavor, so experiment to see what your family loves best.

What can I use as a gluten-free option for breadcrumbs?

Try gluten-free panko or plain gluten-free breadcrumbs—the results will still be moist and tasty. You can also use crushed rice crackers or quick oats if you have those on hand.

How do I make the sauce spicier?

For a heat boost, toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a swirl of sriracha as you simmer the sauce. Start with a little, then taste and adjust for your perfect spice level!

Can these meatballs be baked instead of pan-fried?

Definitely! Just arrange the shaped meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment, and bake at 400°F for 15 to 18 minutes. Then finish them off in the honey garlic sauce as directed.

Are these Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe suitable for meal prep?

They sure are. Whip up a big batch on Sunday, portion out with rice or veggies, and enjoy ready-to-reheat lunches or quick dinners all week long.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to dive into a plateful of this crowd-pleasing Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe. Whether you’re serving it up for a special occasion or an easy weeknight dinner, these sticky, savory-sweet bites are always a hit. Make them once, and I promise they’ll become a regular request at your table!

Honey Garlic Meatballs Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Honey Garlic Meatballs are a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors, with tender meatballs coated in a sticky honey garlic sauce. They make a great appetizer or a delicious main course served over rice or noodles.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish

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Instructions

Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, milk, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Form into 1-inch meatballs.
Cook the Meatballs: Brown meatballs in olive oil in a skillet until cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, garlic, and sesame oil. Simmer, then add cornstarch slurry to thicken.
Combine and Serve: Toss meatballs in the sauce until coated. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.