Smoked BBQ Meatballs are an easy-to-make crowd-pleasing dish.
You can put them on a bun with some coleslaw or simply serve them alone–the possibilities are endless!
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What Are Smoked BBQ Meatballs??
Chances are you’ve tried meatballs from a bag that you pop in the oven and toss on pasta. But did you know that meatballs are one of the easiest foods to make yourself?
Even better is when you cook them in the smoker to add a delicious smoky flavor that will never come out of a bag. Slather them in your favorite BBQ sauce, and you have smoked BBQ meatballs that your entire family will enjoy.
How to Make Smoked BBQ Meatballs
Making Smoked BBQ meatballs is easy and will only take you about 40 minutes to make.
Ingredients
- 1lb ground beef (the leaner, the better)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp paprika
- ½ tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
Step 1: Preheat Your Smoker
Preheat your smoker to 250°F.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
Combine all of the above ingredients except the BBQ sauce in a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Mix
Mix the mixture with your hands–there is no better way!
Step 4: Make Meatballs
Once the spices look well mixed with the meat, roll balls that are about 1.5-2 inches in diameter. The trick here is to get them about the same size, so they take the same amount of time to cook.
Step 5: Cook
Place your meatballs on a jerky tray in your smoker. If you don’t have a jerky tray or are worried about the grease, a cast iron pan that fits in your smoker works just as well.
Let the meatballs cook until they are 155°F (it takes about 35 minutes).
Step 6: Put in a Pot
Transfer your meatballs to a pot and slather them liberally with BBQ sauce. Place the pot on the stove and turn it to a low setting for 3-5 minutes. If the BBQ sauce starts to bubble, turn the stove down lower. Once they reach an internal temperature of 160°F, they are ready to serve.
You can also leave them on the stove on low for a bit longer while you set the table etc.! These keep warm like a charm!
Smoked BBQ Meatballs Expert Tips and Variations
- These can be made vegetarian. Simply swap the ground beef for Beyond Meat minced meat and omit the Worcestershire sauce.
- These meatballs can be made gluten-free if you swap the bread crumbs for a gluten-free variety.
- Split the meatballs into two saucepans and coat them with two different BBQ sauces to keep everyone happy!
Related >> Does Worcestershire Sauce Go Bad?
How to Serve Smoked BBQ Meatballs
Smoked BBQ Meatballs are best served with a bun and some coleslaw. But you can also serve these by themselves or with a side salad. Just have the napkins handy because they are messy!
How to Store BBQ Meatballs
Smoked BBQ Meatballs can be saved in an air-tight container for about 5 days. To reheat, simply put them back in a saucepan on the stove for about 5 minutes. We do not recommend freezing Smoked BBQ Meatballs.
FAQ
What Goes Good with Smoked Meatballs?
Mashed potatoes, potato salad, rice, a bun, coleslaw, fries, green salad, baked potatoes, and mac n cheese all go well with BBQ meatballs.
What Does Adding Milk to Meatballs Do?
Adding milk to your meatballs will help to keep them moist, but we don’t recommend adding milk if you plan to smoke your meatballs.
Is It Better to Sear or Bake Meatballs?
The best way to cook meatballs is by smoking them, however, baking is our second choice. You can sear meatballs, but they become dry easily using this method.
How Do You Keep Meatballs Moist?
Meatballs are kept moist thanks to the breadcrumbs and eggs you use to bind them. It is also recommended to let meatballs cook in their own grease as this will prevent them from getting dry.
Smoked BBQ Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1/2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 250°F.
- Combine all the ingredients (except the BBQ sauce) in a large mixing bowl. Mix them together with your hands.
- Roll the mixture into balls that are 1.5-2 inches in diameter.
- Cook the meatballs on a jerky rack in your smoker for 35 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 155°F.
- Transfer the meatballs to a pot on the stove with the entire bottle of BBQ sauce. Warm on low heat for 3-5 minutes or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
