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Grandma's BBQ Meatball Recipe

The best darn BBQ meatballs you'll ever sink your teeth into!

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
2 hrs
Servings: 8
Calories: 652 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

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
  • 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce (that you are currently making)
  • 2 eggs lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • 1 pound ground beef 15/85 mix
  • 1 pound ground pork

Instructions

BBQ Sauce:
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and then add the onion and saute for 3 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic, sauteing for another 1 minute and stirring to prevent burning.
  2. Stir in the 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.
  3. Stir in the brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, celery salt and pepper. Continue to simmer uncovered over medium-low heat, uncovered so the BBQ sauce can reduce.
Meatballs:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (lightly coated with cooking spray) or parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the evaporated milk, bread crumbs, onion, garlic, BBQ sauce, eggs, black pepper and salt. Stir well.
  3. Break the ground beef and pork into small pieces as you add it to the mixture. Toss with clean heads (or wear gloves) until blended. Do not overmix.
  4. 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.
  5. Remove and transfer directly to sauce, discarding any grease that came off the meatballs.
  6. Continue to cook uncovered at a low simmer for 60-90 minutes, or until sauce has reduced by a fourth.
  7. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice or couscous.
  8. If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings!

Nutrition Information

Calories 652kcal (33%) Carbohydrates 77g (26%) Protein 25g (50%) Fat 28g (43%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 13g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 127mg (42%) Sodium 2608mg (109%) Potassium 980mg (28%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 60g (120%) Vitamin A 724IU (14%) Vitamin C 8mg (9%) Calcium 172mg (17%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 652

% Daily Value*

Calories 652kcal 33%
Carbohydrates 77g 26%
Protein 25g 50%
Fat 28g 43%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 13g 65%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 127mg 42%
Sodium 2608mg 109%
Potassium 980mg 21%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 60g 120%
Vitamin A 724IU 14%
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Calcium 172mg 17%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.