BBQ Meatballs Recipe

Introduction

These BBQ meatballs are a delicious twist on a classic comfort food, combining savory beef with a tangy, flavorful sauce. Perfect as an appetizer, main dish, or party snack, they are easy to make and sure to please a crowd.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (around 80/20)
• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 packet onion soup mix (less to taste as it’s fairly salty)
• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, rolled oats, milk, Worcestershire sauce, egg, minced onion, and garlic. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. Step 3: Shape the mixture into 12 evenly sized, loosely compacted meatballs.
4. Step 4: Heat the vegetable oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
5. Step 5: Add the meatballs to the skillet (do this in batches if necessary) and cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until they are nicely browned.
6. Step 6: While the meatballs are cooking, whisk together ketchup, water, and onion soup mix in a small bowl to make the sauce.
7. Step 7: Spoon the sauce mixture over the browned meatballs in the skillet, then transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can place the browned meatballs in a casserole dish, cover them with the sauce, and then bake.

Tips & Variations

• For a gluten-free version, substitute rolled oats with gluten-free oats or crushed gluten-free crackers.
• Add a splash of hot sauce to the BBQ sauce mixture for a spicy kick.
• Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option.
• Serve with mashed potatoes or on slider buns as mini sandwiches.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-15 minutes or microwave until heated through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can form the meatballs and store them uncooked in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. Just keep them covered and tightly sealed.

Can I freeze these BBQ meatballs?

Absolutely. Freeze cooked meatballs in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

BBQ Meatballs Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 140 reviews

These BBQ Meatballs are a delicious and hearty dish featuring tender beef meatballs coated in a tangy, savory sauce. They start with a flavorful mixture of ground beef, oats, milk, onion, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce, pan-seared to get a crispy crust, then baked in a rich BBQ-style sauce made from ketchup and onion soup mix. Perfect as an appetizer or a main course served alongside mashed potatoes or rice.

• Author: Stella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 26 minutes
• Total Time: 41 minutes
• Yield: 12 meatballs 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• 1 pound ground beef (around 80/20)
• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Sauce

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 packet onion soup mix (less to taste as it’s fairly salty)
• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the meatballs.
2. Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, rolled oats, whole milk, minced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and egg. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
3. Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 12 evenly sized meatballs, loosely compacting them to maintain a tender texture.
4. Brown Meatballs: Heat vegetable oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches if needed, and cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until they develop a nice brown crust.
5. Make Sauce: While the meatballs cook, whisk together ketchup, water, and onion soup mix in a small bowl until smooth.
6. Combine and Bake: Spoon the sauce mixture over the browned meatballs in the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Alternatively, place meatballs in a casserole dish, cover with sauce, and bake similarly.

Notes

• Using rolled oats as a binder helps keep meatballs moist and light compared to breadcrumbs.
• The onion soup mix adds a rich savory flavor but is salty, so you can reduce the quantity to taste.
• Use an oven-safe skillet for easy transfer from stovetop to oven; if unavailable, transfer meatballs and sauce to a casserole dish before baking.
• These meatballs pair well with mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables.
• For a lower-fat version, substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef and reduce oil used for browning.

Keywords: BBQ meatballs, baked meatballs, ground beef meatballs, easy meatball recipe, oven baked meatballs, appetizer meatballs