Description
These homemade BBQ meatballs are tender, flavorful, and baked to perfection in a tangy, smoky sauce. Made with ground beef, oats, and a delicious homemade BBQ sauce, they are perfect for serving with mashed potatoes and green beans for a comforting family meal.
Ingredients
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
Sauce
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons liquid smoke
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the meatballs and sauce.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, quick oats, evaporated milk, beaten egg, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and 2 teaspoons kosher salt. Stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into golf-ball sized meatballs. You can divide them between two smaller casserole dishes or arrange all in one large 9x13 inch baking dish depending on your preference and family size.
- Make the BBQ Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt until smooth.
- Pour Sauce Over Meatballs: Generously pour the prepared BBQ sauce over the meatballs ensuring they are all evenly coated.
- Bake: Place the dish(es) in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour. The sauce will become bubbly and some oil may separate, indicating the meatballs are cooked through.
- Finish and Emulsify Sauce: After baking, remove the dish from the oven and stir in 2-3 tablespoons of water to the pan. This will emulsify the sauce, helping it cling perfectly to the meatballs.
- Serve: Serve the BBQ meatballs hot alongside mashed potatoes and green beans for a hearty, delicious meal.
Notes
- You can divide the meatballs into two pans if you want to freeze one batch for later.
- Cooking time may vary slightly depending on oven consistency and meatball size.
- Adding water after baking helps to remix the sauce so it coats the meatballs beautifully.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure oats and Worcestershire sauce are gluten-free or substitute liquid alternatives.
- Adjust chili powder to taste for spiciness preferences.
