🍖 Oven-Baked BBQ Meatballs
📝 Ingredients
For the meatballs:
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1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
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½ lb (225g) ground pork (optional, but adds tenderness)
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1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-style)
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1 large egg
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¼ cup milk
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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¼ cup finely chopped onion
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2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
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1 tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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1 tsp smoked paprika
For the BBQ glaze:
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1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
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2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
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1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
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1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
🔥 Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat Oven
Preheat to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2️⃣ Mix the Meatballs
In a large bowl, combine:
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Ground meat
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Breadcrumbs
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Egg
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Milk
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Garlic
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Onion
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Parsley
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Salt, pepper, paprika
Mix gently until just combined. Don’t overwork the meat — that keeps them tender.
3️⃣ Shape
Roll into 1 to 1½-inch balls and place evenly on the baking sheet.
4️⃣ Bake
Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until cooked through (internal temp should reach 160°F / 71°C).
5️⃣ Make the BBQ Glaze
While they bake, mix BBQ sauce, honey, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.
6️⃣ Glaze & Finish
Remove meatballs from oven, brush generously with BBQ sauce, and return to oven for 5 more minutes until sticky and caramelized.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
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Over mashed potatoes
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In a toasted sub roll for BBQ meatball sandwiches
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With rice or roasted vegetables
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As party appetizers with toothpicks
💡 Make-Ahead Tip
You can freeze uncooked meatballs on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen — just add 5–7 extra minutes.
If you’d like, I can also give you a slow cooker version or a spicy BBQ variation.