BBQ Meatballs

The holidays are just around the corner and with them all of the fun and festivities of gathering with family and friends. These sticky and saucy meatballs have always been a family favorite and I know your family will love BBQ Meatballs as well.

Why You’ll Love BBQ Meatballs

  • Easy and Effortless Preparation: Creating these BBQ Meatballs is a breeze, making it a perfect choice for both novice and experienced cooks alike.
  • Irresistible Sweet and Sticky Sauce: The homemade barbecue sauce adds a sweet and sticky coating to the meatballs, transforming them into flavor-packed delights.
  • Versatile Appetizer or Main Course: Whether you’re planning a party or just a cozy dinner, these meatballs can be served as a delightful appetizer or the star of the main course.
  • Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by kids and adults alike, these BBQ Meatballs are a hit at family gatherings, ensuring everyone leaves with smiles and satisfied taste buds.
  • Perfect Blend of Savory Goodness: With a mix of ground beef and pork, these meatballs boast a perfect balance of savory flavors that will keep you coming back for more.

Ingredients Needed To Make BBQ Meatballs

  • Ground beef
  • Ground pork
  • Slices of bread
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Onion
  • Bell pepper
  • Olive oil

How To Make BBQ Meatballs

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and prepare a broiling pan.
  2. Sauté diced onions and bell peppers until translucent.
  3. Pulse bread slices in a blender to form a fine crumb.
  4. Mix all ingredients (except BBQ sauce) until combined.
  1. Portion meatballs onto the broiling pan using a 2″ scoop.
  2. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
  3. Toss meatballs in homemade BBQ sauce, then bake for an additional 10 minutes until bubbly.
  1. Enjoy!

Variations & Substitutions

  • Feel free to experiment with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter twist.
  • Adjust the flavors to your liking. If you like things a little spicier, add a chopped jalapeno to the sauteed onions. You can also add heat to the barbecue sauce with a pinch of cayenne.
  • This recipe is completely Dairy Free and Gluten Free. However, you can make this same recipe with regular heavy cream and your favorite type of bread.
  • While making your own barbecue sauce takes these BBQ Meatballs to the next level, you can also use your favorite bottled sauce for this recipe.

Commonly Asked Questions

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time? 

Absolutely! Prepare the meatballs in advance, refrigerate, and then toss them in the BBQ sauce just before serving.

Can I freeze the meatballs? 

Certainly! Freeze uncooked meatballs on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Thaw before baking and saucing.

How do I ensure the meatballs stay moist? 

Adding milk to the mixture keeps the meatballs moist and tender.

Can I use store-bought BBQ sauce? 

While homemade is recommended, a good-quality store-bought sauce can be used as a time-saving option.

BBQ Meatballs

Savory meatballs are baked and then tossed in a sweet and sticky homemade barbecue sauce.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 8

Equipment

  • 1 Blender/food processor
  • 1 broiler pan/baking sheet
  • 1 Mixing Bowl
  • 1 2" scoop

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 lbs ground pork
  • 3 slices bread
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 onion, diced large
  • 1 red or green bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Homemade BBQ Sauce

  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a broiling pan with nonstick baking spray and set aside.
  • Heat a medium skillet on medium-low heat with the olive oil. Add the onions and bell pepper and sauté until the onion is translucent. Set aside and allow to cool.
  • Place the bread slices in a blender or food processor. Pulse until they form a fine sandy crumb.
  • Add all of the ingredients to a bowl except for the barbecue sauce. Mix until just combined.
  • Use a 2" scoop to portion out the meatballs onto the prepared broiling pan.
  • Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes.
  • Transfer the meatballs to a casserole dish and toss with the barbecue sauce. Return them to the oven for 10 minutes until the sauce is bubbly.
  • Enjoy!

BBQ Sauce

  • Mix all the ingredients together and cook in a small stock pot until sugar dissolves.

Video

Notes

The texture of meatballs is as important as the flavor. When mixing your ingredients, be gentle and don’t over work the meat. This will ensure that they’re tender, light, and melt in your mouth delicious.
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheSaltyCooker or tag #thesaltycooker!

One Comment

  1. I love meatballs. Any kind and all different ways. But these ones have to be one of my favorites. The best bbq meatballs I’ve ever made. I’ve made them exactly like the recipe, as well as replaced the beef with chicken and the pork with turkey sausage. Both ways turned out great. Oh and using the ice cream scoop hack is a lifesaver. I’m never making meatballs any other way. Thank You The Salty Cooker!!

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