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Healthy Honey Garlic Cocktail Meatballs for Holidays


  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24-30 meatballs 1x

Description

Honey Garlic Cocktail Meatballs are the perfect sweet–savory appetizer, combining juicy homemade meatballs with a sticky honey garlic glaze ready in under 45 minutes.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, grated
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Mix beef, pork, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, garlic, onion, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and parsley until just combined.
  3. Form 1-inch meatballs and arrange them on the baking sheet.
  4. Bake 18–20 minutes until cooked through and golden.
  5. Whisk honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, vinegar, and chili flakes in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
  6. Add cornstarch slurry if desired and cook 1–2 minutes until thickened.
  7. Toss baked meatballs in the glaze and simmer 2–3 minutes.
  8. Serve warm garnished with parsley.

Notes

Avoid overmixing to maintain tender meatballs. Add cornstarch slurry for a thicker, stickier glaze with a glossy finish.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 meatballs
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 480mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: honey garlic meatballs, cocktail meatballs, appetizer recipe, party food