Description
Slow Cooker Honey Buffalo Meatballs
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 1.5–4 hrs (depending on slow cooker setting)
Servings: 8–10
Ingredients
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2 lbs frozen or homemade meatballs
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½ cup buffalo sauce (Frank’s RedHot or preferred brand)
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½ cup honey
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¼ cup ketchup
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2 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
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Optional: green onions or sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
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Mix the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together buffalo sauce, honey, ketchup, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar until smooth. Taste and adjust—more honey for sweetness, more buffalo for heat.
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Combine meatballs and sauce: Place meatballs in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over them. Gently stir to coat all meatballs evenly.
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Cook low and slow: Cover and cook:
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LOW: 3–4 hours for tender, flavor-packed meatballs
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HIGH: 1.5–2 hours if short on time
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Optional thickening: If the sauce is too thin, remove meatballs and simmer the sauce on the stove for 5–7 minutes until thickened, then pour back over meatballs.
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Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds. Keep warm in the slow cooker for parties or serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles for a meal.
Notes
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Frozen meatballs are perfect: No need to thaw; they absorb the sauce as they cook.
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Adjust heat: Swap half the buffalo sauce for BBQ sauce for a milder, sweeter version.
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Make ahead: Whisk sauce 1–2 days in advance. Meatballs can also be cooked ahead and reheated gently.