How do I store leftover meatballs?

Leftovers can safely be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, prepare them uncooked and freeze them. Cook directly from frozen. It will take more time.

What can I serve with Honey Garlic Meatballs?

They pair nicely with rice, noodles, and other steamed vegetables.

Honey Garlic Meatballs: Sticky Sweet and Savory Bites

By Mason BrooksSep 19, 2026

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

Total

30 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

Honey Garlic Meatballs are sweet and savory meatballs made with ground meat and a honey garlic sauce. Honey Garlic Meatballs are a good dish to serve for other meals during the week and as party food. Honey Garlic Meatballs are easy to make. The honey garlic sauce adds a syrupy texture that people enjoy with meatballs. Honey Garlic Meatballs can be served with rice or pasta or by themselves.

Honey Garlic Meatballs: Sticky Sweet and Savory Bites

Why you'll love this recipe

Ready in 30 minutes or less
Uses common pantry ingredients
Great for meal planning and freezing
Can be paired with many different side dishes for eating

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and onion powder.

Mix gently with your hands or a spoon until just combined.

Roll the mixture into small meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.

Place them on a plate or tray as you go.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a bit of oil.

Carefully add the meatballs in batches and cook until browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.

Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.

In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Stir in the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar, and red pepper flakes.

Bring this mixture to a gentle boil.

Stir in the cornstarch slurry into the sauce.

Cook and stir for about 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet with the sauce and gently toss to coat.

Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat the meatballs through.

Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish and sprinkle with chopped green onions or parsley.

Serve warm over rice or noodles.

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Dinner Quick Meals Party

Honey Garlic Meatballs: Sticky Sweet and Savory Bites

Name: Honey Garlic Meatballs: Sticky Sweet and Savory Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork); 1/2 cup breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional); 1/4 cup milk; 1 large egg; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 2 tbsp fresh parsley (finely chopped, optional); 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp onion powder (optional); 1/2 cup honey; 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tbsp ketchup (optional); 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar); 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a mild kick); 1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water for slurry); 0 chopped green onions (for garnish); 0 parsley (for garnish, optional)

By Mason BrooksSep 19, 2026

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

Total

30 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

Ready in 30 minutes or less
Uses common pantry ingredients
Great for meal planning and freezing
Can be paired with many different side dishes for eating

Ingredients

Servings4

•1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
•½ cup breadcrumbs
•¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
•¼ cup milk
•1 large egg
•3 cloves garlic (minced)
•2 tbsp fresh parsley (finely chopped, optional)
•1 tsp salt
•½ tsp black pepper
•½ tsp onion powder (optional)
•½ cup honey
•4 cloves garlic (minced)
•¼ cup soy sauce
•2 tbsp ketchup (optional)
•1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
•1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a mild kick)
•1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water for slurry)
•0 chopped green onions (for garnish)
•0 parsley (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

1
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and onion powder.
2
Mix gently with your hands or a spoon until just combined.
3
Roll the mixture into small meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
4
Place them on a plate or tray as you go.
5
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a bit of oil.
6
Carefully add the meatballs in batches and cook until browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.
7
Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
8
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
9
Stir in the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
10
Bring this mixture to a gentle boil.
11
Stir in the cornstarch slurry into the sauce.
12
Cook and stir for about 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
13
Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet with the sauce and gently toss to coat.
14
Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat the meatballs through.
15
Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish and sprinkle with chopped green onions or parsley.
16
Serve warm over rice or noodles.