Introduction
BBQ meatballs are a delicious and easy to make appetizer or main dish that are full of flavor. By making them in the oven, you can avoid the hassle of grilling while still infusing them with that perfect smokey, sweet BBQ taste. Whether served as an appetizer or over noodles or rice, these oven-baked BBQ meatballs are sure to be a hit!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, plus more for serving
Steps
1. Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheet
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly grease it with cooking spray. The foil makes for easy clean-up.
2. Combine meatball ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Use your hands to mix everything together well until fully combined.
3. Form meatballs
Roll the meat mixture into balls, about 1-1.5 inches in size. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet as you form them, spacing them apart.
4. Bake the meatballs
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the meatballs are fully cooked through. Remove pan from oven.
5. Coat meatballs in BBQ sauce
Pour the 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce over the meatballs. Use a spoon to gently coat each meatball in the sauce.
6. Return to oven to finish cooking
Put the pan back in the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes. This helps the sauce caramelize and get sticky.
7. Broil for crispy edges (optional)
For an extra caramelized, crispy exterior, you can switch your oven to broil for 2-3 minutes at the end. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
8. Serve immediately
Carefully remove baking sheet from oven. Serve meatballs warm with extra BBQ sauce for dipping if desired. Enjoy!
Tips
- For best results, use an 80/20 ground beef blend or 93% lean ground turkey.
- Mix in some shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese for cheesy BBQ meatballs.
- For flavorful smoky BBQ taste without actual grilling, add 1 teaspoon liquid smoke to meatball mix.
- Meatballs can be baked ahead of time and reheated in the sauce just before serving.
- Try different BBQ sauces like spicy chipotle or sweet honey for different flavor profiles.
- Bake at a higher temp (425°F) for 20-25 mins total time if you want an extra crispy exterior.
- For meal prep, allow meatballs to cool completely before storing sauce-coated meatballs in an airtight container.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I serve BBQ meatballs with?
BBQ meatballs pair great with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or a vegetable medley. You can also serve them on slider buns for mini BBQ meatball sandwiches.
How long will baked BBQ meatballs keep in the fridge?
Properly stored, they will keep 3-4 days in the fridge. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving.
Can I freeze baked BBQ meatballs?
Yes, freeze cooled meatballs in a single layer on a sheet pan then transfer to a freezer bag once hard. They will keep 3-4 months in the freezer. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
What kind of ground meat works best?
An 80/20 ground beef or 93% lean ground turkey provides the best balance of juiciness and shape retention. Avoid using super lean meat.
Should I bread the meatballs before baking?
Breading is optional, but does help the meatballs hold their shape better. Use plain breadcrumbs, panko, or crushed crackers/chips.
Conclusion
BBQ oven-baked meatballs are such a simple way to infuse meatballs with delicious smoky-sweet barbecue flavor. In less than an hour, you can have these tasty little bites ready to enjoy as a fun appetizer or satisfying main entrée. The key is coating them with BBQ sauce after initially baking them, then finishing them off in the oven or under the broiler. In no time at all, you’ll have tender, juicy meatballs cloaked in sticky, finger-licking barbecue goodness. Give this easy recipe a try soon and get ready to enjoy summer barbecue flavor all year round.