Looking for a scrumptious backyard BBQ party appetizer? These grilled BBQ Meatballs are easy to make and will leave everyone happy.
Save this BBQ Tip
Enter your email, and I’ll send this link directly to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get new BBQ recipes and tips weekly.
Table of Contents
Buying frozen meatballs and throwing them in a slow cooker is tempting because it’s so easy. But this homemade meatballs recipe tastes so much better and really isn’t that hard.
You can make a batch or two of meatballs a day or two in advance and smoke the party food to order.
When you’re about to get the party started, just heat the grill to 300 F degrees with an indirect heat zone. Add a few cherry wood chips for more flavor.
After 30 minutes on the grill, sauce these bad boys up with your favorite sauce. Cook until the sauce is tacky and the meatballs are cooked through.
You can make this dish with your favorite BBQ rub and sauce.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: Really, you can use any ground meat, but a 70/30 or 80/20 blend of ground beef is perfect for juicy meatballs. You can also use lean ground beef, but they won’t be as moist.
- Panko breadcrumbs: These help the meatballs hold their shape. They are in the Asian section at your local grocery store.
- Milk: This helps soften the breadcrumbs. Feel free to use a dairy substitute.
- Fresh garlic
- BBQ rub: Use your favorite barbecue rub. Or make your own blend with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar and little chili powder or cayenne for a little heat.
- BBQ sauce: Choose your favorite barbecue sauce. You can select something sweet or spicy.
Substitutions: For turkey meatballs, replace the beef with ground turkey. You can also blend in fresh herbs like parsley, if you'd like.
See the full recipe card below for servings and a full list of ingredients.
How to smoke meatballs
Heat your grill with an indirect heat zone to 300F degrees. Add cherry wood chips for more flavor.
If you have a gas grill, set one burner to medium heat and adjust as needed until the temperature reaches 300F degrees. Grill the meatballs on the side of the grill with the burner turned off.
- STEP ONE: Place the panko breadcrumbs and milk in a large bowl. Stir and let them soak for five minutes.
- STEP TWO: Add the beef, garlic, rub and salt to the bowl. Mix with your hands. Shape the meat mixture into 18 meatballs. Set on a baking sheet and chill for 30 minutes while you heat your grill.
- STEP THREE: Place the meatballs on the preheated grill. Close the lid and grill for 30 minutes.
- STEP FOUR: Brush with BBQ sauce. Close the lid and grill for 15 minutes. Brush with more sauce. Close the lid and grill for 15 more minutes. The sauce will set and become sticky.
How to serve barbecue meatballs
Transfer the grilled meatballs to a platter or serving pan. Serve with bread, more sauce, onions and pickles.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can also freeze smoked meatballs. Just let them thaw in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.
GCG Pro Pitmaster Tips
- For the juiciest meatballs, use beef that has 70-80 percent meat and 30-20 percent fat
- You can use other ground proteins like ground pork, ground turkey or ground chicken
- The milk and breadcrumbs are important for moisture and stability
More appetizer recipes
- Twice-Smoked Raspberry Chipotle Lil Smokies
- Smoked Shotgun Shells: 5 Filling Ideas
- Cheese Stuffed Meatballs
Newest Recipes
Want even more great grilling recipes and tips? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for my latest grilling adventures. If you make a recipe, please leave a comment and rating below.
Save this BBQ Tip
Enter your email, and I’ll send this link directly to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get new BBQ recipes and tips weekly.
Grilled BBQ Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp BBQ rub
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Heat Grill: Heat your grill with an indirect heat zone to 300F degrees. Add cherry wood chips for more flavor.
- Mix: Place the panko breadcrumbs and milk in a medium bowl, and let them soak for five minutes. Add the beef, garlic, rub and salt. Mix with your hands and shape into 18 meatballs. Set in a dish and chill for 30 minutes while you heat your grill.
- Grill: Place the meatballs on the grill, close the lid and grill for 30 minutes.
- Sauce: Brush with BBQ sauce. Close the lid and grill for 15 minutes. Brush with more sauce. Close the lid and grill for 15 more minutes.
- Serve: Serve with bread, more sauce, onions and pickles.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Do you use 80/20 beef for BBQ Meatballs?
Thanks Much!
Pam
Yes. That blend works great.