Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) causes progressive immune dysfunction and, if untreated, can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) effectively suppresses viral replication and has substantially improved outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWH), it does not eradicate persistent viral reservoirs and requires lifelong treatment. Consequently, research continues to explore immunotherapeutic strategies that may enhance antiviral immunity and contribute to HIV-1 prevention, remission, or eradication. Natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as promising candidates in HIV-1 research because of their innate cytotoxic activity, functional diversity, adaptability, and expression of receptors involved in antiviral responses, including the NKG2 receptor family and CD16. Several NK cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches are currently under investigation, with varying mechanisms and potential applications. This review examines the current landscape of NK cell immunotherapies for HIV-1 and highlights approaches demonstrating the greatest potential relevance to HIV-1 vaccine development, including a proposed conceptual model. A PubMed literature search was conducted using terms including “NK cells,” “HIV,” “HIV vaccine,” and “NK immunotherapies.” Current evidence suggests that several NK cell-based strategies demonstrate promising antiviral activity and supports continued investigation of NK cell immunotherapies for HIV-1 treatment and prevention, particularly approaches that may inform the development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine.