Recipes

Barbecue Meatballs

barbecue meatballs combine juicy beef, smoky homemade sauce, oats, onion, and savory spices into a rich comfort food recipe perfect for parties, buffets, and family gatherings. The sweet smoky barbecue glaze coats the tender meatballs beautifully while baking creates deep savory flavor.

This classic meatball recipe remains popular because it creates flavorful bite-sized appetizers that are easy to prepare ahead for holidays, parties, and casual dinners. The homemade barbecue sauce also adds sweet smoky richness that pairs perfectly with the beef.

Barbecue meatballs with sweet smoky glaze

The popularity of barbecue meatballs continues to grow because the sauce creates rich caramelized flavor while keeping the meatballs tender and juicy. Brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, and onion combine into a glossy homemade barbecue glaze packed with comforting flavor.

Another reason this beef meatball recipe works so well is the balance between savory spices and sweet smoky sauce. Chili powder and garlic powder build gentle warmth while oats help keep the meatballs soft and moist.

Homemade sauce keeps the meatballs tender

The combination of evaporated milk, oats, onion, and egg gives these barbecue beef meatballs their soft juicy texture. Baking the meatballs first also helps them hold their shape before soaking up the rich barbecue sauce.

If you enjoy comforting barbecue beef recipes, you may also like our Easy Grilled Porterhouse Steak, another flavorful beef barbecue recipe packed with smoky grilled flavor.

Texture plays an important role in this recipe. The meatballs stay juicy and tender inside while the sauce becomes sticky and glossy around the outside during the final baking stage.

The sweet smoky glaze also makes these beef meatballs perfect for buffet tables and holiday appetizers because they stay flavorful and moist even after resting.

Perfect beef appetizer for parties and holidays

These barbecue meatballs work perfectly for holiday buffets, game days, potlucks, family gatherings, and casual dinners because they are easy to serve while delivering rich comforting barbecue flavor.

The meatballs pair beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, fresh bread, pasta, or extra barbecue sauce served on the side. Toothpicks also make them easy party appetizers.

Proper food handling remains important whenever preparing raw ground beef. Beef should always stay refrigerated before cooking and should be cooked thoroughly before serving. For additional meat preparation and food safety guidance, visit the FDA.

Ultimately, barbecue meatballs deliver juicy beef texture, sweet smoky sauce, comforting homemade flavor, and rich party-style barbecue character in an easy recipe perfect for gatherings and family meals.

barbecue meatballs served on a rustic wooden table with smoky beef meatballs and barbecue sauce

Smoky Barbecue Meatballs

Tender beef meatballs baked in sweet smoky barbecue sauce.
Couverts4 servings
Total time 52 minutes
estimated costs pp $6.50 per person
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Equipment

  • baking pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Saucepan
  • Wire rack

Ingredients

Sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Combine the egg, evaporated milk, oats, onion, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, and black pepper in a large bowl.
  • Add the ground beef and mix well.
  • Shape the mixture into small meatballs.
  • Place the meatballs onto a lightly oiled rack in a baking pan.
  • Bake uncovered for 18 to 20 minutes until fully cooked.
  • Drain excess fat while keeping the meatballs on the rack.
  • Combine the sauce ingredients in a saucepan.
  • Bring the sauce to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes while stirring frequently.
  • Pour the sauce evenly over the meatballs.
  • Bake for another 10 to 12 minutes until hot and glazed.

Notes & Wine Advice

Notes

Liquid smoke adds extra barbecue flavor but can be omitted if preferred.

Serve Tip

Serve these meatballs with toothpicks as appetizers or alongside mashed potatoes, rice, or fresh bread.

Variations

Add cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, cheddar cheese, bacon, or hot sauce for deeper smoky richness and spice.

Wine Advice

A fruity Merlot pairs beautifully with the sweet smoky barbecue sauce and savory beef.

Nutrition values

Calories: 420 kcal | koolhydraten: 18 g | Eiwitten: 28 g | Vet: 26 g | Verzadigd vet: 10 g | Natrium: 720 mg | Suiker: 14 g
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Course; Appetizer / Barbecue / Beef / Main Course / Party Food
Cuisine; American
Season: All Seasons
Diets; High-Protein
Occasions Christmas / Game Day / New Year’s Eve

Gingersnap Meatballs

Gingersnap Meatballs

This recipe is a great way to get rid of those holiday cookies that have been sitting around! It has a sweet and sour taste without any real Asian influences. Try serving it with rice and very thin lemon slices to make a well-rounded meal.
Couverts8
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325° F.
  • Soak the bread in cold water and squeeze it dry.
  • Mix the ground beef, salt, pepper, paprika, egg, bread, and ice water thoroughly in a large mixing bowl.
  • Form the mixture into balls.
  • Pour the tomatoes into a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  • Add gingersnaps, sugar, and lemon juice to the baking pan.
  • Add the meatballs and stir to coat with the mixture.
  • Cover with foil and bake for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • You may need to cover the meatballs with the sauce again periodically as they bake.
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Course; Beef

Mushroom Meatballs

Mushroom Meatballs

This recipe makes a great appetizer or side dish. It can be served in either a casserole dish or a crockpot. If you need to transport it, then use a crockpot to keep the meatballs heated thoroughly.
Couverts70 Meatballs
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350° F.
  • Mix the mushrooms, eggs, salt, pepper, and ground beef in a large bowl.
  • Using your hands works best.
  • Shape the meat mixture into roughly 70 walnut sized balls.
  • Place the balls on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 25 minutes.
  • Meatballs should no longer be pink.
  • Using either a casserole dish or a crockpot, mix the soup mix and cream of mushroom soup together.
  • Add the cooked meatballs.
  • If you are using a casserole dish, return the dish to the oven to heat thoroughly (about 10 minutes).
  • If you are using a crockpot, allow the meatballs to sit at low heat for about an hour before serving.
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Course; Appetizer / Beef / Side Dish

Quick Prep Meatballs with Sauerkraut and Cranberry Sauce

Quick Prep Meatballs with Sauerkraut and Cranberry Sauce

This meatball recipe involves very little preparation, but does require a lengthy baking period. It is perfect to throw in the oven and walk away. Its unusual sauce will make guests and family think you slaved over the oven for hours to prepare this amazing meal!
Couverts10 servings
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 300° F.
  • Mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, soup mix, and eggs in a large bowl.
  • Mold into 1 ½-inch balls.
  • Mix the sauerkraut, cranberry sauce, chili sauce, and brown sugar in a large skillet.
  • Simmer for about five minutes or until the brown sugar is melted and mixed well.
  • Place a small amount of the mixture in a lightly greased 13×9 baking dish.
  • Place the meatballs on top of the sauce.
  • Then, pour the remaining sauce over the top of the meatballs.
  • Let the meatballs bake for 1 to 2 hours, or until the meatballs are 160° F.
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Course; Beef / Main Course

Porcupine Balls

Porcupine Balls

This recipe is so easy that your kids can help! These meatballs are cooked with rice, so the entire dish as a delicious, meaty flavor.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine the rice, ½ cup of water, onion, salt, celery salt, garlic powder, and ground beef in a bowl.
  • Mix well.
  • Shape the mixture into 1 ½-inch balls.
  • Brown meatballs in oil in large skillet.
  • Combine the tomato sauce, 1 cup of water, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce in another mixing bowl.
  • Mix well.
  • Pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs.
  • Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
  • Be sure that the rice is fully cooked before serving.
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Course; Beef

Asian Infused Meatballs

Asian Infused Meatballs

This tangy recipe can be a main dish or served as an appetizer. The unique sauce and pineapple chunks give this recipe a touch of flare that would be perfect to serve at a large gathering. Make the meatballs larger or smaller depending on your crowd.
Couverts42 meatballs
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Ingredients

For the sauce:

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven for 400° F.
  • Drain pineapple, but reserve ¼ cup of the juice.
  • Set aside.
  • Combine the onion, peppers, bread crumbs, ginger, salt, and ¼ cup of the pineapple juice in a mixing bowl.
  • Crumble the beef over the mixture and mix well.
  • Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls.
  • Place the sauce ingredients in a blender.
  • Cover and process for one minute.
  • Place 2 tablespoons of the sauce in a greased 13×9 inch baking dish.
  • Add the meatballs to the baking dish.
  • Then, pour the remaining sauce over the meatballs.
  • Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink.
  • Allow the meatballs to cool slightly.
  • Then, place one pineapple chunk on each meatball.
  • Secure the pineapple with a toothpick.
  • Use a chafing dish to serve the meatballs as an appetizer.
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Course; Beef
Cuisine; Asia

German Meatballs

German Meatballs

This German recipe includes an authentic gravy so these meatballs can be served alone as a main dish. These meatballs are occasionally served with hot mashed potatoes. You’ll love serving these for your family because they are such an easy meal!
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine ½ cup of the milk, egg, Worcestershire sauce, shredded potatoes, onion, salt, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
  • Crumble beef over the mixture and mix well.
  • Shape the mixture into approximately 48 meatballs.
  • Using the butter, cook the meatballs in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Be sure that the meat is no longer pink.
  • Remove the meatballs and keep warm.
  • Stir the flour into the skillet until blended.
  • Gradually add the remaining milk to create the gravy.
  • Bring the gravy to a boil.
  • Cook and stir the gravy for two minutes or until thickened.
  • Combine the meatballs with the gravy and heat thoroughly.
  • If desired, serve these meatballs with hot mashed potatoes.
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Course; Beef
Cuisine; European / Germany

Traditional Italian Meatballs

Traditional Italian Meatballs

When we think of meatballs, we think of the traditionally Italian dish, and the Italians have perfected their customary recipes over centuries. Traditional Italian meatballs also call for authentic Italian sauce. Make this traditional recipe with the accompanying sauce or create your own for a personalized flavor. This recipe is best served over pasta.
Couverts6
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Ingredients

To make the sauce:

Instructions

  • Mix all of the meatball ingredients in a large bowl by hand (bare hands preferred), making sure that all of the ingredients are mixed well.
  • Roll the meatballs so that they are about the same size as a golf ball and set aside.
  • For the sauce: Sauté the onion and garlic in the virgin olive oil.
  • Then, put the plum tomatoes in a large bowl and squish them with your hands.
  • Add all of the sauce ingredients together in a large pot.
  • Add the meatballs to the pot and simmer the entire mixture for about 3 hours.
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Course; Beef / Meat
Cuisine; European / Italian

Standard Meatballs

Standard Meatballs

This recipe is perfect for times when your family just wants basic meatballs. These in-the-oven creations are easy to freeze to enjoy later or eat right away by themselves or with pasta.
Couverts6
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400° F.
  • Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
  • Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
  • Put the meatballs into a lightly greased 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
  • Bake, uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes or until the meatballs are light brown.
  • Drain off any excess fat and serve.
  • To freeze: Cover the meatballs and allow them to cool.
  • Place meatballs in freezer-safe plastic bags.
  • To use after freezing: Allow meatballs to thaw at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before use.
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Course; Beef / Meat / Side Dish

Ham And Cauliflower Bake

Ham And Cauliflower Bake

Couverts6
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cook the cauliflower in boiling water for about 10 minutes and drain.
  • In a hot skillet, melt butter with garlic and sauté the mushrooms a few minutes over medium heat.
  • Spread the cooked cauliflower in a 9 x 13 oven dish.
  • Add ham and mushrooms.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the cream of celery, vegetable broth and dry mustard.
  • Scatter the brie cheese cubes evenly over the vegetables and ham.
  • Pour the creamy mixture into the dish.
  • Add the bread cubes on top.
  • Top with grated cheese.
  • Bake at 350 F for about 30 minutes.
  • Finally, you can put the dish under the broiler until golden brown.
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Course; Main Course / Pork / Vegetables