How to make Homemade Barbecue Meatballs

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Oats provide a healthier option with more fiber.

barbecue sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade barbecue sauce

💰Cheaper: ketchup + vinegar

Homemade sauce can reduce sugar and preservatives.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often cheaper.

honey

🥗Healthier: maple syrup

💰Cheaper: agave syrup

Maple syrup offers a similar sweetness with a unique flavor.

Chop one yellow onion.

Make the barbecue sauce by adding 1 cup of tomato paste, 1/4 cup of vinegar, 1/3 cup of liquid smoke, 1/4 cup of molasses, 1/4 cup of honey, 1/3 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper into a bowl.

Using a whisk, stir all the barbecue sauce ingredients together until creamy and smooth.

Place the barbecue sauce mixture into the microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes, then stir again after microwaving.

Transfer 2 pounds of lean ground beef into a large bowl.

Add 1 cup of chopped yellow onion, 2 teaspoons of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the ground beef.

Using your hands, coat the seasonings onto the ground beef.

In a separate bowl, add 2 large eggs, 1/8 cup of Worcestershire sauce, and 1/4 cup of the barbecue sauce made earlier.

Using a wire whisk, whisk all the egg mixture ingredients together until well combined.

Pour the egg mixture onto the ground beef mixture and add 1/3 cup of plain breadcrumbs.

Using your hands, mix the egg and breadcrumb mixture into the ground beef until well combined.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Take a small amount of the ground beef mixture and roll it into a small ball, then place it into an 11 by 17 inch baking pan.

Repeat until all the mixture is rolled into meatballs, making about 70 miniature meatballs.

Place the baking pan into the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes.

After 40 minutes, remove the meatballs from the oven and pat them dry with a napkin to remove excess grease.

Place the meatballs into a strainer with a pan underneath to catch drippings.

In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the remaining barbecue sauce and 2 tablespoons of water, stirring to combine.

Let the barbecue sauce come to a simmer, then add the meatballs and stir.

Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 5 minutes.

Turn off the heat and let the meatballs cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens