Honey Garlic Pork Meatballs Recipe

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Diana Rattray
Updated 09/02/19
Honey garlic pork meatballs

The Spruce
  • Total: 40 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 25 mins
  • Yield: About 32 Meatballs, 16 Servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
138 Calories
6g Fat
11g Carbs
11g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: About 32 Meatballs, 16 Servings
Amount per serving
Calories 138
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 82mg 27%
Sodium 355mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Protein 11g
Calcium 37mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

These pork meatballs are perfect for a party or game day gathering, and they can be served hot, right from the slow cooker. Honey and garlic team up to make a sweet and tasty sauce for these homemade pork meatballs. Use lean ground pork to make these easy meatballs.

The pork meatballs are baked and then coated with the flavorful sauce mixture, but can also be served as a party appetizer from the slow cooker kept on the low setting. The recipe is easily scaled up for a party or game-day gathering. Serve them with toothpicks and napkins or place them on a platter small lettuce leaves and pass them around.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground pork (lean)
  • 1 large egg (beaten)
  • 1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs (plain)
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons cilantro (finely chopped)
  • 2 green onions (finely chopped)
  • 4 cloves garlic (pressed, divided)
  • 1 scant teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 2 teaspoons butter
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • Sriracha sauce or Tabasco (to taste)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for honey garlic pork meatballs
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  2. Heat the oven to 400 F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet, such as a jelly roll pan or half sheet pan, with foil. Spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

    Lined baking sheet
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  3. Combine the pork with the beaten egg, bread crumbs, cilantro (if using), green onion, 1 clove pressed garlic, and the salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix the pork mixture until all ingredients are well blended.

    Combine pork and eggs
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  4. Shape the pork into meatballs about 1 inch in diameter, roughly 5/8-ounce each. Using a small cookie scoop to shape them helps. Arrange the meatballs on the baking sheet.

  5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and no longer pink.

    Shape into meatballs
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  6. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. When the butter is foamy, add the remaining 3 cloves of pressed garlic and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute.

    Prepare the sauce
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  7. Add the ketchup, honey, soy sauce, and hot sauce, if using. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for about 1 minute.

    Honey barbecue sauce
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  8. Combine the sauce in a serving dish with the meatballs and serve immediately as an appetizer, or serve with rice and a side vegetable for a meal.

    Combine sauce with meat
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  9. Enjoy!

Tip

  • If you want to keep these meatballs warm during a party or get together, combine the sauce and meatballs in the crockery insert slow cooker. Cover and keep on the low setting for serving over a longer period of time.