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BBQ Meatballs

BBQ Meatballs
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These BBQ Meatballs are a quick and easy crowd-pleaser coated in a tangy, smoky barbecue sauce. Perfect for appetizers, party snacks, or main dishes, they feature juicy meatballs coated with a delicious homemade or bottled BBQ sauce that’s both kid-friendly and customizable. Ready in under an hour, this recipe suits cooks of all levels and offers flavorful, comforting bites with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Mixture

  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Optional: 1/2 tsp smoked paprika or chili flakes for extra kick

BBQ Sauce

  • 1 cup barbecue sauce (bottled or homemade)
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Optional: smoked paprika, chili flakes, or cayenne pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with hands or a spatula until just combined to keep meatballs tender.
  2. Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into small meatballs about 1 to 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place them evenly sized on a parchment-lined or lightly greased baking sheet.
  3. Cook the Meatballs: Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until browned and cooked through, or pan-fry over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally.
  4. Prepare the BBQ Sauce: While meatballs cook, whisk together barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and any optional spices like smoked paprika or chili flakes for enhanced flavor.
  5. Coat the Meatballs in BBQ Sauce: Toss the cooked meatballs in the BBQ sauce until fully coated. Return to oven for 5 minutes or simmer gently in a skillet to let the sauce thicken and soak in.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to avoid tough meatballs.
  • Ensure uniform meatball size for even cooking.
  • Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy meatballs.
  • Add BBQ sauce after cooking the meatballs to keep them moist.
  • Bake meatballs on a wire rack for even heat and to prevent sogginess.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ meatballs, barbecue meatballs, party appetizer, easy meatballs, smoky meatballs, kid-friendly meatballs, gluten-free meatballs

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/bbq-meatballs/