Mom's Barbecued Meatballs

Get ready to enjoy "Mom's Barbecued Meatballs," a nostalgic comfort food dish that's perfect for any occasion. These tender, juicy meatballs are made with a flavorful blend of ground beef and pork, seasoned with fresh garlic, onion, and spices, and gently baked to perfection. What sets this recipe apart is the homemade barbecue sauce—a tangy and smoky blend of ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika—that coats each meatball in sticky, finger-licking goodness. In under an hour, you'll have a versatile dish that works as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a main course served over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes. Perfect for family dinners or potluck parties, these barbecued meatballs are an irresistible combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors—just like Mom used to make.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 0.5 lb ground pork
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 0.5 cup onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup ketchup
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tsp smoked paprika

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 3

Use a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop to portion the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Roll them between your hands to form smooth balls.

Step 4

Place the meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through.

Step 5

While the meatballs are baking, prepare the barbecue sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, and smoked paprika. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld.

Step 7

Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to a large skillet or a slow cooker. Pour the barbecue sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are evenly coated.

Step 8

If using a skillet, heat the meatballs and sauce over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to combine. If using a slow cooker, set it to low and heat for 1-2 hours.

Step 9

Serve the barbecued meatballs warm as an appetizer with toothpicks, or over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a hearty meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1302.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2449.5

Total Fat 140.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 53.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 730.2mg	0%
Sodium 5160.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 155.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.1g	0%
Total Sugars 90.8g
Protein 153.2g	0%

Vitamin D 80.6IU	0%
Calcium 331.9mg	0%
Iron 15.2mg	0%
Potassium 1716.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.6%

Protein: 24.5%

Carbs: 24.8%