Making delicious barbecue meatballs at home is easier than you think! With just a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can create juicy, flavorful meatballs cooked in a sweet and savory barbecue sauce.
Introduction
Barbecue meatballs are a fun twist on a classic appetizer or main dish. By baking bite-sized meatballs in barbecue sauce, you get a tender meatball infused with smoky, tangy flavor. The sweet and spicy sauce caramelizes around each meatball creating a finger-licking good snack or meal.
BBQ meatballs are great for parties and gatherings since you can make them ahead of time and just bake before serving. Kids and adults alike will love dipping these tasty meatballs in extra sauce. Follow this simple guide to learn how to make barbecue meatballs at home.
What You’ll Need
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs or panko crumbs
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce, divided
Step-by-Step Guide
Making the Meatballs
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Use your hands to mix everything together well.
- Form the mixture into 1-2 inch meatballs and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Make all the meatballs uniform in size so they cook evenly.
- Bake the meatballs at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until browned on the outside and cooked through.
- Remove the meatballs from the oven and drain any grease on paper towels.
Cooking in Barbecue Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, warm 3/4 cup of the barbecue sauce. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and gently toss to coat.
- Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for 5-10 minutes, spooning sauce over them occasionally.
- Transfer the sauced meatballs to a serving dish. Pour over any remaining sauce from the pan.
- Serve warm with toothpicks or skewers and extra barbecue sauce for dipping.
FAQs
What type of ground meat works best?
Ground beef and ground turkey both make delicious BBQ meatballs. Beef gives a richer flavor while turkey is a lighter option. Use 80/20 ground beef or 93% lean ground turkey.
Can I use poultry seasoning instead of smoked paprika?
Yes, poultry seasoning is a great substitution to give your meatballs a nice smoky flavor. Use about 1 teaspoon in place of the smoked paprika.
How do I get the meatballs perfectly round?
Use a small cookie scoop or melon baller to form uniform sized rounds. Gently roll between your palms to smooth out the meatball to a perfect sphere.
What sauce flavors work best?
Sweet and tangy classic barbecue sauces complement meatballs well. Ketchup-based, brown sugar, or molasses barbecue sauces are all great choices.
Can I make them ahead of time?
Absolutely! Shape the uncooked meatballs and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. When ready to use, bake without thawing first. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
Can I use a slow cooker instead?
Yes, cooked meatballs can be transferred to a slow cooker with the sauce to keep warm for serving. Cook on low, adding sauce and stirring occasionally until heated through.
Final Tips
- For added flavor, use a blend of ground meats like beef, pork, and veal.
- Brush cooked meatballs with sauce the last 5 minutes of baking for a lacquered finish.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or scallions before serving.
- Leftovers can be stored in the sauce in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Meatballs freeze well for up to 3 months. Reheat in sauce until warmed through.
With this easy recipe, you can now make these crowd-pleasing barbecue meatballs at home. Adjust the seasonings to your taste and try different sauces until you find your favorite. Now get ready for your next party or game day with this savory, saucy appetizer. Enjoy!