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Savory BBQ Cocktail Meatballs

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These savory BBQ cocktail meatballs are glazed in a sticky sweet sauce that balances tanginess, sweetness, and smokiness, making them a crowd-pleasing comfort food perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1/2 lb (225g) ground pork
  • 1/2 cup (50g) breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped or grated
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 cup (240ml) barbecue sauce (smoky, slightly sweet)
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Optional: 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix gently until just combined.
  3. Roll the mixture into small, bite-sized balls (1 to 1.5 inches in diameter), about 30-35 meatballs. Place evenly spaced on the baking sheet.
  4. Bake for 15-18 minutes until cooked through and slightly browned. Optional: turn halfway through baking.
  5. While baking, whisk together barbecue sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper (if using) in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened and glossy.
  6. Transfer baked meatballs into the saucepan with the sauce or pour sauce over them. Toss gently to coat each meatball evenly.
  7. Serve warm with toothpicks or small forks.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to keep meatballs tender. Use a mix of ground beef and pork for juiciness. Turn meatballs halfway through baking for even browning if desired. If sauce thickens too much, stir in water or extra barbecue sauce to loosen. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko. For dairy-free, use plant-based milk. The sauce can be sweetened with maple syrup or agave instead of honey.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ meatballs, cocktail meatballs, sticky sweet sauce, party appetizer, easy meatballs, savory snack

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/savory-bbq-cocktail-meatballs-recipe-easy-sticky-sweet-sauce-tutorial/