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Best Easy Honey BBQ Meatballs Slow Cooker or Stovetop

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These Honey BBQ Meatballs are the ultimate blend of sweet, savory, and smoky. Baked until perfectly tender, then tossed in a sticky homemade honey barbecue sauce, they’re perfect for parties, weeknight meals, or lunchboxes. With flexible cooking methods — oven, stovetop, or slow cooker — this recipe fits every schedule and taste. It’s freezer-friendly, make-ahead approved, and absolutely kid-loved.

Ingredients

Scale

For the meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground beef or ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)

For the sauce:

  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix until just combined.
  3. Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Bake the meatballs for 15–18 minutes or until fully cooked through and lightly browned.
  5. While the meatballs are baking, whisk together the barbecue sauce, honey, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
  6. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low.
  7. Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to the skillet with the sauce. Gently toss to coat.
  8. Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully glazed and heated through.
  9. Serve warm as an appetizer or over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles for a full meal

Notes

  • You can use beef, chicken, or turkey.

  • Make meatballs smaller for appetizers or kids.

  • The sauce can be doubled if you want extra for serving.

  • Freeze cooked meatballs and sauce together for quick meals.

  • For a gluten-free version, ensure all ingredients are certified GF.

Find it online: https://claradelish.com/best-easy-honey-bbq-meatballs-slow-cooker-or-stovetop/