Description
Sizzling Asian meatballs dance with bold flavors in this crockpot masterpiece, promising a culinary journey through delicate spices and tender meat. Slow-cooked to perfection, this dish brings comfort and excitement to dinner tables, inviting you to savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 (20 ounces/567 grams) bag frozen meatballs
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Green onions, diced
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Arrange the meatballs (frozen or homemade) evenly inside the crockpot, creating a single layer to ensure uniform cooking.
- Create a harmonious sauce by vigorously whisking hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and brown sugar in a medium bowl until the mixture becomes smooth and well-integrated.
- Gently cascade the prepared sauce over the meatballs, using a spatula to delicately coat each piece, ensuring comprehensive sauce coverage.
- Secure the crockpot lid and set the temperature: high setting for 1-2 hours or low setting for 2-4 hours, periodically stirring to redistribute the sauce and prevent potential burning.
- Monitor the meatballs until they reach a fully cooked state and the sauce achieves a slightly thickened consistency, indicating optimal flavor absorption.
- Enhance the presentation by generously sprinkling diced green onions and sesame seeds across the top, adding visual appeal and textural contrast.
- Serve immediately, offering multiple serving options such as appetizer-style with toothpicks or as a main course atop steamed rice or noodles for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Choose high-quality ground meat like beef, pork, or chicken with a slightly higher fat content for juicier meatballs.
- Gently mix meatball ingredients to prevent tough, dense texture and maintain a tender bite.
- Experiment with gluten-free alternatives by using tamari instead of soy sauce and ensuring hoisin sauce is gluten-free.
- Reduce sugar content by substituting honey with sugar-free maple syrup or using less brown sugar for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours (on High) or 4 hours (on Low)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg