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BBQ Meatballs Recipe

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4 from 10 reviews

Delicious and hearty BBQ meatballs made with seasoned ground beef, oats, and onion, browned to perfection and baked in a tangy homemade barbecue sauce. Perfect for serving with egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or crusty French bread, this recipe delivers comforting flavors and a satisfying meal for six.

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
  • 3/4 cup oats
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup finely minced onion, divided (use 3 tbsp for meatballs, 5 tbsp for sauce)
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • Ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • Canola oil, for browning

BBQ Sauce

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp white vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 dash Tabasco sauce
  • 5 tbsp finely minced onion (reserved from the 1/2 cup)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs later.
  2. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, oats, milk, 3 tablespoons of finely minced onion, salt, and ground black pepper to taste. Mix well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
  3. Shape and Chill Meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into medium-small balls. Place them on a baking sheet and put the sheet in the freezer for 5 minutes to firm up the meatballs, which helps them hold their shape during cooking.
  4. Dredge in Flour: Remove the chilled meatballs from the freezer and immediately coat each meatball evenly in all-purpose flour. This step helps create a nice crust when frying.
  5. Brown the Meatballs: Heat a few tablespoons of canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the meatballs until they are just browned on all sides to lock in flavor and texture. Avoid overcooking at this stage as they will finish in the oven.
  6. Prepare for Baking: Transfer the browned meatballs to a baking dish, arranging them in a single layer.
  7. Make the BBQ Sauce: In a medium bowl, stir together the ketchup, sugar, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, a dash of Tabasco, and the remaining 5 tablespoons of finely minced onion until well combined.
  8. Bake the Meatballs: Pour the prepared BBQ sauce evenly over the meatballs in the baking dish. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 45 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is bubbly and flavorful.
  9. Serve: Serve the BBQ meatballs hot with your choice of sides such as egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or crusty French bread for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Freezing the meatballs briefly before flouring helps maintain their shape during frying.
  • Dredging in flour creates a nice crust and helps thicken the sauce slightly as it bakes.
  • Adjust the Tabasco quantity to suit your preferred spice level.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute oats and flour with certified gluten-free alternatives.
  • Using a baking dish allows the meatballs to cook evenly and soak up the BBQ sauce flavors.

Find it online: https://dishcooks.com/bbq-meatballs-recipe/