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To make these sweet and savory meatballs, you need a few key items: - 1 pound ground beef (or turkey) - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1/4 cup chopped green onions - 1 egg, lightly beaten - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning - 1/2 cup honey - 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium) - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - Sesame seeds and additional green onions for garnish These ingredients come together to create juicy meatballs and a rich sauce. The honey adds sweetness, while the soy sauce brings depth and umami. You can switch things up with some optional ingredients. Try adding: - Fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for extra flavor. - Red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. - Chopped bell peppers or carrots for added crunch. These choices let you tailor the meatballs to your taste. If you need to make swaps, here are some ideas: - Use ground chicken or pork instead of beef or turkey. - Swap breadcrumbs for crushed crackers or oats for a gluten-free option. - Replace Parmesan with any hard cheese you have on hand. These substitutions keep the dish tasty while fitting your dietary needs. With these ingredients and tips, you'll create a delightful dish that everyone will enjoy! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, gather your ingredients. In a large bowl, mix 1 pound of ground beef (or turkey) with 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs. Then, add 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup of chopped green onions. Next, crack an egg and beat it lightly. Pour it into the mix along with 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Use your hands to mix everything well. Once it's combined, form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in size. Place them on a plate and set them aside. Now, let's prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of honey, 1/4 cup of low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar. Set this sauce aside. Next, pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot and place a trivet inside. This keeps the meatballs above the water. Arrange the meatballs on the trivet in a single layer. Drizzle your honey garlic sauce over each meatball. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot. Set it to cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. After cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes. Then, quick-release any remaining pressure and open the lid. Carefully remove the meatballs with tongs and place them on a serving platter. For a thicker sauce, switch the Instant Pot to 'Sauté' mode. Simmer the remaining sauce for 5 to 7 minutes. Once it thickens, drizzle it over the meatballs. For a nice finish, sprinkle sesame seeds and extra green onions on top. Enjoy your delicious honey garlic meatballs! For great meatballs, start with fresh meat. Use ground beef or turkey for the best taste. Mix your ingredients well in a bowl. This helps create a good texture. Make sure to add breadcrumbs and cheese for moisture and flavor. Form meatballs about one inch wide. This size cooks evenly and stays juicy. One mistake is packing the meat too tightly. This makes meatballs tough. Another error is not seasoning enough. Salt and pepper are key for flavor. Don’t skip the garlic and herbs. They add a nice touch to the taste. Lastly, avoid cooking meatballs directly in the water. Use a trivet to keep them above the liquid. To cook meatballs evenly, arrange them in a single layer on the trivet. This allows steam to circulate around each meatball. If you stack them, some may not cook through. Always use enough water—one cup is perfect. For best results, follow the cooking time closely. Letting the pressure release naturally helps keep them tender. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and green onions enhance the flavor of your meatballs significantly. Opt for fresh over dried for the best results. Alternate Protein: For a lighter version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken. Adjust the cooking time slightly if using leaner meats. Thicken the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer it on the 'Sauté' mode for a longer duration, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Freezing Meatballs: These meatballs freeze well! Prepare a double batch, cook them, and freeze them in sauce for an easy meal later on. {{image_2}} You can use different meats for your meatballs. Ground beef gives a rich flavor. Turkey makes them lighter and healthier. Chicken is another good choice. It adds a mild taste. Each meat brings its own twist. You can mix meats too for a unique flavor. Just remember to adjust cooking times if needed. The honey garlic sauce is sweet and savory. But you can change it up! Add sriracha for heat. A dash of red pepper flakes works well too. For a sweeter version, add more honey. You can even use teriyaki sauce for a fun twist. Each variation gives a new taste to the meatballs. You can serve these meatballs in many ways. Try them over steamed rice for a filling meal. Noodles are also great to pair with the meatballs. Toss in some stir-fried vegetables for extra crunch. You can even serve them as a tasty appetizer. The options are endless, so get creative! After enjoying your Instant Pot honey garlic meatballs, store leftovers safely. Let them cool down first. Then, place them in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh and tasty. Store them in the fridge for up to four days. If you have more to save, try freezing them instead. To reheat your meatballs, you have a few easy options. You can use the microwave. Place the meatballs on a plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Heat for about one to two minutes. Check if they are hot all the way through. If not, heat them for more time. You can also reheat them on the stove. Add a bit of water or sauce to a pan, then add the meatballs. Heat on medium until warmed through, stirring often. Freezing meatballs is a great way to save time. After they cool, place meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Remove as much air as you can from the bag. Label the bag with the date. You can freeze the meatballs for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating. To make honey garlic sauce, you need just a few simple items. Mix together: - 1/2 cup honey - 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium) - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 2 cloves minced garlic Whisk these ingredients in a bowl until smooth. This sauce brings sweet and savory flavors to your meatballs. You can adjust the honey for more sweetness or add more garlic for a stronger taste. Yes, you can cook frozen meatballs in the Instant Pot! Simply place the frozen meatballs on the trivet. Pour 1 cup of water in the pot. Set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 12-15 minutes. The sauce will still coat the meatballs nicely. Just remember to let them cook a bit longer than fresh ones. Honey garlic meatballs taste great with many sides. Here are some tasty options: - Steamed rice - Noodles (like lo mein or rice noodles) - Stir-fried vegetables - A simple green salad These sides balance the sweet and savory flavors of the meatballs. Each bite will be a delight! In this post, we explored how to make honey garlic meatballs. We covered key ingredients and substitutions, plus step-by-step cooking instructions. I shared tips for perfect meatballs and how to avoid common mistakes. Variations let you get creative with different meats and sauces. Proper storage and reheating tips help you enjoy leftovers. By following these steps, you can create a dish that impresses every time. Enjoy your cooking adventure!

Sweet & Savory Instant Pot Honey Garlic Meatballs

Delicious meatballs made with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, cooked perfectly in the Instant Pot.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
  • 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
  • 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.25 cup chopped green onions
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 cup honey
  • 0.25 cup soy sauce (low-sodium)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • to taste Sesame seeds and additional green onions for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, chopped green onions, beaten egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until everything is well combined.
  • Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set them aside on a plate.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar to create the sauce.
  • Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place a trivet inside to hold the meatballs above the water.
  • Arrange the meatballs on the trivet in a single layer. Drizzle the honey garlic sauce over the meatballs.
  • Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
  • Once the cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure.
  • Carefully remove the meatballs using tongs and place them on a serving platter.
  • If desired, switch the Instant Pot to 'Sauté' mode and simmer the remaining sauce for 5-7 minutes to thicken it.
  • Drizzle the thickened sauce over the meatballs and garnish with sesame seeds and additional green onions.

Notes

For a thicker sauce, simmer the remaining sauce after cooking.
Keyword honey garlic, Instant Pot, meatballs