Description
These homemade BBQ meatballs are tender, flavorful, and perfect for a family meal or party. Made with a mix of ground beef, oats, and warm spices, then baked in a rich, sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, this recipe yields juicy meatballs that pair wonderfully with mashed potatoes and green beans.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 2 lbs. ground beef (85/15)
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1 (5-ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
BBQ Sauce
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons liquid smoke
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs evenly throughout.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, quick oats, evaporated milk, beaten egg, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, and kosher salt. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Form Meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into golf ball-sized portions. Place them either in two smaller casserole dishes or all together in one large 9×13 inch baking dish, depending on your family size and freezing preferences.
- Prepare BBQ Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt until well blended.
- Pour Sauce over Meatballs: Pour the prepared BBQ sauce evenly over all the meatballs, ensuring each is nicely coated.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking dish(es) in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour. The sauce should bubble and some oil may separate from the meatballs.
- Emulsify the Sauce: After removing from the oven, add 2-3 tablespoons of water to the pan and stir gently. This helps emulsify the sauce so it clings perfectly to the meatballs.
- Serve: Serve these tender BBQ meatballs with mashed potatoes and green beans for a comforting, hearty meal. Enjoy the rich flavors and juicy texture!
Notes
- Dividing the meatballs into two pans allows you to freeze one batch for later, making meal prep easier.
- Using quick oats helps bind the meatballs while keeping them moist and tender.
- Adding water after baking helps to bring the sauce together and improves the texture.
- These meatballs freeze well; store cooked meatballs and sauce separately or together in airtight containers.
- Adjust the chili powder for more or less heat according to your preference.
