American
BBQ Meatballs
Tender homemade meatballs glazed in sweet and tangy barbecue sauce
hot_biteEasyAmerican
Prep25 minCook25 minTotal50 minServes40Temphot
⚠ Contains: 🥛 Dairy, 🌾 Gluten, 🥚 Egg
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lbground beef(80/20)
- 0.5 lbground pork
- 0.5 cupbreadcrumbs
- 1 largeegg
- 0.25 cupmilk
- 0.5 tspgarlic powder
- 0.5 tsponion powder
- 1 tspkosher salt
- 1.5 cupsBBQ sauce(your favorite brand)
- 0.25 cupgrape jelly(optional, adds glaze)
- 2 tbspfresh parsley(chopped, for garnish)
Make Ahead
Meatballs can be baked and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw and add to sauce. Finished dish keeps warm in slow cooker up to 4 hours.
Instructions
- 1Preheat oven to 400°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper
- 2Soak breadcrumbs in milk for 2 minutes
- 3Combine beef, pork, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt
- 4Mix gently until just combined - don't overwork
- 5Roll into 1-inch meatballs and place on prepared baking sheet
- 6Bake 15-18 minutes until cooked through
- 7Meanwhile, warm BBQ sauce with grape jelly in large skillet
- 8Add baked meatballs to sauce and toss to coat
- 9Simmer 5 minutes until sauce is thick and glossy
- 10Transfer to serving dish, garnish with parsley, serve with toothpicks
Notes
Pro Tips
The combination of beef and pork creates the most tender, flavorful meatballs. Baking instead of frying is easier for large batches. The grape jelly trick adds shine and subtle sweetness - trust the process. Use a small cookie scoop for uniform meatballs that cook evenly.
History & Origin
BBQ meatballs became a potluck and party staple in mid-century America, with the grape jelly and chili sauce version being particularly iconic. The combination of sweet and savory in a handheld format made them perfect for casual entertaining and game day gatherings.
Cocktail Pairings
Old Fashioned
Bourbon and BBQ are an American classic combination
Maple Bourbon Smash
Whiskey's depth complements rich, savory dishes
Red Hook
Whiskey's depth complements rich, savory dishes
Elder Fashion
Whiskey's depth complements rich, savory dishes
Suffering Bastard
Whiskey's depth complements rich, savory dishes
Godfather
Whiskey's depth complements rich, savory dishes
Pairs Well With
beerbourbonwhiskeycola
Save & Share
American◆Easy