Do you think the only way to serve meatballs is with pasta? These rich pork and beef meatballs in BBQ sauce will change your mind. Homemade BBQ Meatballs are easier to prepare than you think, and they make an excellent addition to any get-together.
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What makes BBQ meatballs the perfect party snack?
Easy BBQ Meatballs make outstanding appetizers for almost any party. Not only are they deliciously satisfying, easy to make, and pair well with your favorite party drinks and snacks, they're endlessly versatile.
Make mini meatballs for passed hor d'oeuvre, or form bigger ones and turn them into sliders! Whichever way you serve homemade BBQ meatballs, you'll definitely want to make a big batch because your guests are going to gobble them up!
Oh, and their flavor is much better than the old grape jelly meatballs or ones made with ketchup or chili sauce.
Why you'll love this recipe
The blend of pork and beef in these meatballs makes them extra juicy and flavorful. Combine great meatballs with your favorite barbecue sauce, and you wind up with a no-hassle crowd-pleasing appetizer.
It is so simple to customize the taste of this BBQ meatballs recipe by swapping out one BBQ sauce for another. Whether you enjoy the bite of mustard BBQ sauce or prefer something much sweeter, you can dial in the ideal flavor profile for you.
Homemade BBQ Meatballs ingredients
The meatball ingredients are simple and can be found at any regular grocery store:
- Ground chuck
- Ground pork
- Egg, lightly whisked
- Whole milk
- Breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- White onion, finely chopped
- Parsley
- Worcestershire sauce
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Stick to a medium grind for the meat, and don't over-trim it. Some fat will improve the flavor and consistency of the meatballs.
For the BBQ sauce, you'll need:
- BBQ sauce
- Beef broth
- Chili powder
- Smoked paprika
- Brown sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
Choose a decent bottle of BBQ sauce (Kraft Original and Kraft Hickory both work well here), but keep it basic for the best results. Honey BBQ sauce will add a little sweetness.
How to make meatballs in BBQ sauce
To prepare and cook the meatballs:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking tray and set aside for later.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the meatballs.
- Use your fingertips to gently mix everything. Avoid squeezing the meat mixture to prevent the meatballs from being too dense.
- Form the meatballs into an ounce and a half balls. You can make your meatballs larger or smaller, but all of them must be the same size, so they'll cook correctly.
- Put the meatballs on the prepared wire rack.
- Bake for about 30 minutes or until cooked through.
To make the BBQ sauce for meatballs:
- Bring all the BBQ sauce ingredients to a boil in a pan over medium-high heat. Stir frequently to prevent scorching.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked meatballs to warm through and absorb some of the sauce.
BBQ Meatballs recipe variations
Looking for ways to avoid spending too long in the kitchen? Try these time-saving methods:
- Crockpot BBQ Meatballs. You can prepare this dish from start to finish in a slow cooker, giving you plenty of time to do other things. In a crock pot, stir together all the ingredients for the BBQ sauce. Add the uncooked meatballs. Cover and cook for two to three hours on HIGH or three to four hours on LOW. Switch to the WARM setting to hold until serving.
- Premade Meatballs. Making the meatballs fresh takes time and effort, so why not give yourself a break by using the high-quality heat-and-serve meatballs you can find at local delis and supermarkets? Fresh or frozen meatballs work for this recipe.
- Leaner Meatballs. Use lean ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey instead of ground chuck and ground pork. Note these won't be as juicy when made with leaner meat.
What to serve with them
BBQ sauce meatballs are great on their own, but they're even better when you serve them with other food. Here are a few suggestions:
- Mashed potatoes. Turn this BBQ Meatball recipe into a hearty main course by serving it over a pile of fluffy mashed potatoes.
- Jalapeno Poppers. Although tasty, BBQ sauce meatballs are on the mild side. Bring the heat to your party with smoked jalapeno poppers.
How to store leftovers
Removing the meatballs from the BBQ sauce lets the meatballs cool down much quicker and will prevent them from absorbing all the sauce. Once they are at room temperature. Transfer the meatballs and sauce into separate airtight containers.
You can keep the meatballs and sauce in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to a month. Thaw the meatballs and sauce before reheating.
What is the best way to reheat meatballs?
The easiest and safest method to warm up meatballs in BBQ sauce is on the stove.
- Put the BBQ sauce and meatballs in a medium pot.
- Bring the BBQ sauce to a boil while stirring.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about five minutes longer. Use an instant-read thermometer to check if the meatballs are at least 165°F before serving.
For quick reheating, microwave them in 30-second increments.
More meatballs to make for game day
BBQ Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground chuck
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup finely chopped white onion
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Barbecue Sauce
- 1 18-ounce bottle barbecue sauce (I prefer Kraft Original or Kraft Hickory)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Form the mixture into meatballs weighing about 1 ½ ounces each.
- Place the meatballs on a wire rack resting on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for approximately 30 minutes.
- While the meatballs are baking, combine all the ingredients for the barbecue sauce in a pot over low heat.
- When meatballs have finished baking, add them to the sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and serve.
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