Get ready for the easiest and most delicious party appetizer ever with these incredible Crockpot Asian Meatballs. This recipe is the perfect “set it and forget it” dish, featuring tender meatballs simmered in a rich, sticky, and perfectly balanced sweet and savory sauce. It’s an Asian Meatballs Recipe Easy enough for any occasion, from a game day party to a simple weeknight dinner over rice. These Asian Glazed Meatballs are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for more.
Why This is the Ultimate Slow Cooker Meatball Recipe
These Slow Cooker Asian Meatballs are a standout for so many reasons.
- Incredibly Easy: This is a true “dump-and-go” recipe. You simply whisk the sauce, pour it over frozen meatballs, and let the slow cooker do all the work.
- Packed with Flavor: The sauce is a delicious blend of sweet Hoisin, savory soy sauce, and a touch of tangy vinegar, creating a complex and addictive flavor.
- Perfect for Parties: You can easily double the recipe to feed a crowd, and the slow cooker keeps the meatballs warm for serving throughout the event.
- Super Versatile: Serve them with toothpicks as an appetizer or over a bed of rice with steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Your Simple Ingredient Checklist
This recipe uses a handful of flavorful ingredients to create its signature sauce.
The Ingredient Lineup:
- 1 (20-ounce) bag of frozen, pre-cooked meatballs (homestyle is best)
- ½ cup Hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium is a great choice)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- For Garnish: Diced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Step-by-Step Slow Cooker Instructions
Get ready for the easiest appetizer you’ve ever made.
Part 1: Combine and Cook
- Place Meatballs in Crockpot: Place the entire bag of frozen meatballs directly into the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and garlic powder until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the meatballs in the crockpot. Give everything a gentle stir to make sure all the meatballs are coated. Cover and cook on LOW for 2-4 hours or on HIGH for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Part 2: Garnish and Serve
- Garnish: Once the meatballs are heated through and the sauce is bubbly, they are ready. Just before serving, sprinkle generously with diced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
- Serve Hot: Serve the meatballs hot, either with toothpicks for an easy party appetizer or over rice for a delicious dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use homemade meatballs for this recipe? Absolutely! If you prefer to make your own, a simple meatball made from ground pork or beef with a bit of minced ginger, garlic, and green onions would be fantastic. For the best results, you should brown the homemade meatballs in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker to help them hold their shape.
2. How is this different from Grape Jelly Meatballs in the Crock Pot? While both are classic slow cooker meatball appetizers, the flavor profiles are very different. The classic Grape Jelly Meatballs Crock Pot recipe typically uses a combination of grape jelly and chili sauce, creating a very sweet and tangy flavor. This Asian meatball recipe uses Hoisin and soy sauce for a more savory, umami-rich flavor profile.
3. Can I make these meatballs spicy? Yes, it’s very easy to add a kick of heat. You can whisk 1-2 teaspoons of Sriracha or a chili garlic paste into the sauce mixture before pouring it over the meatballs. This will give them a wonderful sweet and spicy flavor.
4. How do I make this into a full meal? This recipe easily transforms from an appetizer to a main course. Simply serve the meatballs and their delicious sauce over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice. A side of steamed broccoli or sautéed bok choy would be a perfect and healthy addition to round out the meal.
Crockpot Asian Meatballs
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- serving spoon
Ingredients
- 20 oz frozen pre-cooked meatballs (homestyle preferred)
- 0.5 cup Hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 0.5 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- diced green onions, for garnish
- toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Place frozen meatballs directly into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- In a bowl, whisk together Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the meatballs and stir gently to coat. Cover and cook on LOW for 2–4 hours or HIGH for 1–2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Once meatballs are heated through and sauce is bubbly, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve hot as an appetizer with toothpicks or over rice for dinner.