Grandma's BBQ Meatball Recipe
Servings: 8
Calories: 652kcal
The best darn BBQ meatballs you'll ever sink your teeth into!
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Equipment
Ingredients
BBQ Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium sweet onion , minced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 32 ounces ketchup (4 cups)
- 2 cups water*
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon celery salt
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
Meatballs
- 5 ounces evaporated milk
- 3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/2 medium sweet onion , minced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced or pressed
- 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce (that you are currently making)
- 2 eggs , lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1 pound 15/85 mix ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
Instructions
BBQ Sauce:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat and then add the minced 1/2 medium sweet onion and saute for 3 minutes, or until soft. Add the minced or pressed 2 cloves garlic, sauteing for another 1 minute and stirring to prevent burning.
- Stir in the 32 ounces ketchup and then fill the ketchup bottle halfway with water (it doesn't have to be exact). Shake it well to release any ketchup sticking to the sides of the bottle. Pour the water into the pot and stir.
- Stir in the 1 cup light brown sugar, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons yellow mustard, 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 3 tablespoons molasses, 1 tablespoon celery salt and 2 teaspoons ground black pepper. Continue to simmer uncovered over medium-low heat, uncovered so the BBQ sauce can reduce.
Meatballs:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (lightly coated with cooking spray) or parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the 5 ounces evaporated milk, 3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs, chopped 1/2 medium sweet onion, minced or pressed 2 cloves garlic, 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce (that you are currently making), 2 eggs, 2 teaspoons black pepper and 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt. Stir well.
- Break the g1 pound 15/85 mix ground beef and p1 pound ground pork into small pieces as you add it to the mixture. Toss with clean heads (or wear gloves) until blended. Do not overmix.
- Form meatballs into 2-3 inch large meatballs or 1 inch small meatballs and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on size.
- Remove and transfer directly to sauce, discarding any grease that came off the meatballs.
- Continue to cook uncovered at a low simmer for 60-90 minutes, or until sauce has reduced by a fourth.
- Serve over mashed potatoes, rice or couscous.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings!
Nutrition
Calories: 652kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 2608mg | Potassium: 980mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 60g | Vitamin A: 724IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 172mg | Iron: 4mg
