These Asian Meatballs made in the crockpot are an easy, flavorful dish that fills your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas. The meatballs cook slowly in a sweet and savory sauce made with hoisin, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and brown sugar. It’s an ideal dish for busy days or parties, offering a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a comforting main dish. These meatballs are perfect for serving with crispy rice or vegetable chow mein, creating a delicious Asian-inspired spread.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 (20 oz) bag frozen meatballs (homestyle preferred)

• 1/2 cup hoisin sauce

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 2 tbsp honey

• 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• Green onions (diced, for garnish)

• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Directions

1. Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, mix together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and brown sugar until well combined.

2. Add Meatballs: Place the frozen meatballs in your crockpot and pour the sauce over them. Toss the meatballs gently to coat them in the sauce.

3. Cook: Cover and cook on high for 1-2 hours or on low for 2-4 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure the sauce is evenly distributed.

4. Garnish and Serve: Once the meatballs are heated through, sprinkle with diced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Nutrients (approximate per serving)

• Calories: 97 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 20g

• Protein: 4g

• Fat: 2g

• Cholesterol: 6mg

• Sodium: 708mg

• Fiber: 2g

The Beauty of Crockpot Cooking

One of the biggest advantages of making these Asian meatballs in a crockpot is the convenience. Once the ingredients are mixed and added to the crockpot, the slow cooking process does the work for you. The low and slow heat allows the flavors to develop and infuse the meatballs with rich, savory goodness. The meatballs cook in the sauce, absorbing its flavors while staying tender and juicy. This method of cooking is especially useful when you’re preparing meals for a crowd or need to set something and forget it.

Slow cooking also ensures that the sauce doesn’t burn or over-reduce, keeping it smooth and sticky, perfectly coating each meatball. This makes it an excellent option for meal prep, parties, or busy weeknights.

The Sauce: Sweet, Savory, and Aromatic

The sauce that coats these meatballs is a balanced combination of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and brown sugar. Hoisin sauce, a sweet and salty staple in many Asian dishes, adds a rich, slightly spicy base to the sauce. Soy sauce brings a savory depth and umami flavor, while honey and brown sugar contribute sweetness and stickiness, giving the sauce a comforting texture. The rice vinegar adds a hint of acidity that balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.

Garlic powder rounds out the sauce with its aromatic and savory notes, ensuring that every bite is packed with delicious flavor. This sauce is versatile enough to pair with a variety of dishes, and its rich, sticky texture makes it ideal for slow-cooked meatballs.

The Meatballs: A Quick and Easy Start

Using frozen meatballs makes this dish incredibly easy to prepare. Homestyle meatballs are preferred because their flavor and texture hold up well in the crockpot, absorbing the sauce without falling apart. By using frozen meatballs, you skip the hassle of having to make the meatballs from scratch, saving time while still achieving a flavorful result.

Simply add the frozen meatballs to the crockpot and pour the prepared sauce over them. There’s no need to thaw the meatballs beforehand, as the slow cooking process will heat them thoroughly and allow them to soak up the flavors of the sauce. The result is perfectly cooked, flavorful meatballs that will melt in your mouth.

Cooking in the Crockpot: Low Maintenance, High Flavor

Once the meatballs are in the crockpot and coated in sauce, it’s time to cook them. If you’re in a hurry, cooking the meatballs on high for 1-2 hours is a quick option, while a longer cook on low for 2-4 hours will allow the flavors to meld together even more. Stirring occasionally ensures that the sauce coats the meatballs evenly, preventing any that might stick to the bottom of the crockpot from burning.

As the meatballs cook, they will become tender and soak up the sweet and savory sauce, making them juicy and flavorful. You’ll notice the delicious aroma filling your kitchen as the meatballs simmer away.

Garnishing the Meatballs

After the meatballs are cooked and ready to serve, it’s time to add a finishing touch with a simple garnish. Diced green onions add a fresh, crisp contrast to the rich, savory meatballs. They bring a slight sharpness and color to the dish, enhancing both its visual appeal and flavor profile. If you’d like, you can also sprinkle sesame seeds on top for an extra crunch and a little nuttiness, which complements the Asian flavors of the dish.

Serving Suggestions: Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing

These Asian meatballs are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. For a casual meal, serve them with a side of crispy rice or vegetable chow mein. The sticky, savory sauce is perfect for drizzling over the rice, making every bite even more delicious. You can also serve them as an appetizer at parties or gatherings. Their bite-sized nature makes them easy to eat with toothpicks or small skewers, making them a crowd-pleasing snack.

For a more complete meal, consider pairing them with stir-fried vegetables or a simple salad to balance out the richness of the meatballs. The meatballs also work well in a bento box-style lunch with steamed veggies and rice.

Nutritional Information and Considerations

These Asian meatballs are a relatively light yet satisfying dish. Each serving contains around 97 calories, with 20 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fat, and 4 grams of protein. The meatballs are a good source of protein and carbohydrates, but they are also relatively low in fat, making them a healthier option compared to many other meatball dishes.

One thing to keep in mind is the sodium content, which is 708 mg per serving. This is due to the soy sauce and hoisin sauce, which are both relatively high in sodium. If you’re concerned about sodium intake, you can look for lower-sodium versions of soy sauce and hoisin sauce to help reduce the sodium content.

The dish is also a good source of fiber (2 grams per serving) thanks to the sauce and any additional vegetables you may add as sides. For a more fiber-rich dish, you can include more vegetables, such as bell peppers or broccoli, alongside the meatballs.

Conclusion

These Crockpot Asian Meatballs are a simple yet flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion. The slow-cooked meatballs absorb the sweet and savory sauce, creating a comforting and satisfying dish that can be served in various ways. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer or a main dish, they’re sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. The easy-to-follow recipe and the minimal preparation required make this an excellent choice for busy days, meal prep, or entertaining guests. Enjoy these meatballs as part of an Asian-inspired spread that’s both delicious and effortless.