Texas Sweet and Spicy Meatballs – Cooked To Max Tenderness

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is lower in fat, while ground pork is often less expensive.

barbecue sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade barbecue sauce

💰Cheaper: ketchup

Homemade sauce can reduce sugar, while ketchup is a budget-friendly alternative.

brown sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: white sugar

Coconut sugar offers a lower glycemic index, while white sugar is often cheaper.

hot sauce

🥗Healthier: sriracha

💰Cheaper: chili powder

Sriracha is a flavorful alternative, while chili powder is more economical.

Preheat oven to 250°F (121°C).

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, sausage, chopped Texas Vidalia onions, chopped jalapeno, and minced garlic.

Add smoky paprika, chipotle powder, dried thyme, fennel, oregano, and parsley to the mixture.

Mix everything together with your hands until well combined.

Add 1 cup of Italian breadcrumbs to the mixture and combine again.

Let the mixture rest for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.

Spray the bottom of a casserole dish to prevent sticking.

Using an ice-cream scooper, form the meat mixture into meatballs and place them in the casserole dish.

In a separate bowl, mix together redondo sugar, pineapple chunks, and pineapple juice to create the sauce.

Pour the sauce over the meatballs in the casserole dish.

Cover the casserole dish and place it in the oven for about 2 hours at 250°F (121°C) to ensure tenderness.

Once cooked, serve the meatballs topped with sauce, chunks of tomato, pineapple, poblano, and onion, and garnish with flat-leaf Italian parsley.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens