Tender, flavorful BBQ meatballs baked in a sweet-and-smoky glaze. A simple dinner that my family adores! Also great for the freezer!
My Sister’s Favorite BBQ Meatballs
I was raised in rural Minnesota and did (do?) quite a bit of cooking from church recipe books. This BBQ meatball recipe comes from a church cookbook and has been ON REPEAT for us over the past 2-3 months. Bjork and the girls have been thrilled.
Sweet, savory, sticky and soft meatballs alongside some mashed potatoes, perhaps some macaroni and cheese, a warm stack of green beans? How can you not adore it?
My sister introduced this dish to me, and it’s her kids’ absolute favorite. They request this meal for every birthday celebration. We even made them for a Christmas dinner last year.
Sorry for the messy picture – that’s me joyfully having the leftovers for lunch the next day with cucumbers, mashed potatoes, and corn from Bjork’s aunt and uncle’s farm!
I want you all to know that I’ve tried at least 5 variations of this recipe in recent months. Would sautéed onions and peppers improve it? (Not enough to warrant the extra effort.) Would cream be better than evaporated milk? (Evaporated milk is much more tender.) Would the sauce benefit more from vinegar or no vinegar? (The vinegar adds a crucial edge to the sweetness.)
I ultimately returned to nearly exactly how it was originally detailed in this little spiral-bound church cookbook.
Hope you enjoy these, and hope your children adore them.
Making BBQ Meatballs
Assemble Ingredients.
I usually have all these ingredients handy (ground beef, egg, oats, ketchup, spices, brown sugar). Super pantry-staple friendly!
Combine and Shape.
You can package them all in a single 9×13 (what my sister does for her family of 6) or separate them into two baking trays so you can freeze one batch for later (what I do for our family of 4).
Top with Sauce.
Whisk the sauce and pour it over the meatballs. I divided my sauce between the two trays since I usually split this recipe into two.
Cook!
Once they’re finished, if they aren’t as saucy as you desire, add 1/4 cup water to the pan and stir; this will emulsify any oils and give the sauce a lovely consistency!
Accompany with Mashed Potatoes!
We typically serve these with mashed potatoes and green beans!
Homemade BBQ Meatballs
Total Time:
1 hour 20 minutesYield:
6 servings 1x
Overview
Tender, flavorful BBQ meatballs baked in a sweet-and-smoky glaze. A simple dinner that my family adores! Also great for the freezer!
Components
Scale
Meatballs:
BBQ Sauce:
Directions
- Preheat: Set the oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine Meatballs: Mix all meatball components together. Form into golf-ball-sized spheres; distribute between two smaller casserole dishes OR group them all in a larger 9×13 baking dish. (I have a family of 4; I separate this into two trays to freeze one for later. However, my sister prepares everything in one large dish for her family of 6.)
- Prepare Sauce: Whisk together the sauce. Pour it over the meatballs.
- Cooking: Cook meatballs and sauce for 1 hour. After removing from the oven, they will be bubbly and some oil will have separated. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water and stir; this will emulsify the sauce so it perfectly adheres to the meatballs.
- Complete: Serve meatballs alongside mashed potatoes and green beans! They are so tender and delicious. Yum.
Notes
I usually yield 35-40 meatballs with this recipe.
For Freezing: These meatballs can be frozen uncooked and covered with sauce. I usually do this in a foil pan to make it even easier for myself or someone else if I end up giving them away as a meal.
To Cook from Frozen: Bake (while frozen) at 350 degrees for 60-75 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked and tender, and the sauce is boiling. Add some water as needed to loosen and emulsify the sauce before serving.
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: bbq meatballs, meatball recipe, meatball dinner
Frequently Asked Questions About This Recipe
Is it possible to use ground turkey or chicken instead?
Absolutely! I’d recommend using a higher fat content for better tenderness and flavor.
What can replace liquid smoke?
You can skip it entirely, or substitute with smoked paprika for a hint of smokiness.
How do you freeze and reheat this dish?
Place the formed (raw) meatballs in a large foil dish and cover with sauce. Seal and freeze for up to 6 months. Bake (from frozen) for 60-75 minutes at 350 degrees or until the meatballs are cooked through and tender, and the sauce is bubbling. Add 1/4 cup water to loosen the sauce if needed before serving.
Can breadcrumbs be used in place of quick oats?
Yes! Panko or standard breadcrumbs are suitable as well.
Additional Meatball Recipes My Family Enjoys
**Creating BBQ Meatballs at Home**
Barbecue meatballs are a wonderful dish that melds the rich taste of meat with the zesty and sweet notes of barbecue sauce. Ideal for gatherings, parties, or a casual family meal, these meatballs are straightforward to prepare and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Here’s a detailed guide on how to create BBQ meatballs at home.
**Ingredients:**
*For the Meatballs:*
– 1 pound ground beef (or a combination of beef and pork)
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup milk
– 1 large egg
– 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
*For the BBQ Sauce:*
– 1 cup barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)
– 1/4 cup brown sugar
– 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat the Oven:**
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
2. **Prepare the Meatball Mixture:**
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until all components are well combined. Be cautious not to overmix, as this can result in tougher meatballs.
3. **Shape the Meatballs:**
Utilizing your hands or a small ice cream scoop, form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced apart.
4. **Bake the Meatballs:**
Place in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and thoroughly cooked. An internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) indicates they are done.
5. **Prepare the BBQ Sauce:**
While the meatballs bake, make the barbecue sauce. In a medium saucepan, stir together the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, and smoked paprika. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, cooking for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
6. **Combine Meatballs and Sauce:**
Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to a large skillet or pan. Pour the prepared BBQ sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are fully coated. Let simmer on low heat for an additional 10 minutes to allow the meatballs to absorb the sauce’s flavors.
7. **Serve:**
Present the BBQ meatballs hot, garnished with chopped parsley or green onions if you like. They can be enjoyed on their own or served over rice or pasta for a complete meal.
**Success Tips:**
– For added spiciness, incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce into the BBQ sauce.
– To achieve a smokier essence, consider using smoked paprika or a few drops of liquid smoke in the sauce.
– These meatballs can be prepared in advance and reheated later, making them a convenient choice for meal prep or entertaining.
Savor your homemade BBQ meatballs, a delectable and adaptable dish that will surely please any gathering!
sparta