BBQ Balls

BBQ Balls, also known as Baby Shower BBQ Meatballs, are the ultimate appetizer. With just three simple ingredients—frozen meatballs, grape jelly, and Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce—you can whip up a tasty appetizer in no time. However, we decided to take these meatballs to the next level by adding a few extra ingredients. Featured in our 2024 Mini TREAT$ Box, these upgraded BBQ Meatballs have received amazing reviews! They’re the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and smoky, making them a must-have for your next gathering.

Be sure to comment below or tag us on social media if you’ve tried this recipe!

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Recipe

This recipe was made to lightly feed 12 people. Adjust the ingredients by 1/3 for your household.

Ingredients

• 6 pounds of ground beef (I used 73% lean / 27% fat)
• 1.5 cups plain breadcrumbs
• 6 large eggs
• 1 bell pepper, finely minced
• 1 onion, finely minced
• 3 tablespoons hickory-flavored liquid smoke
• 28 ounces Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce
• 1 jar (18 oz) apple jelly
• 1.5 jars (45 oz total) grape jelly
• 5 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic powder, to taste
• Onion powder, to taste
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil

Instructions

1. Prep the vegetables: Mince the bell pepper and onion.
2. Cook the bell pepper and onion: Heat the avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the minced bell pepper and onion. Sauté them until they are translucent, about 5–7 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper as they cook. Set them aside to cool.
3. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F and line two baking dishes with parchment paper.
4. Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, and breadcrumbs. Season to taste with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Be generous with the seasonings, as this will flavor the meatballs. Add the cooled bell pepper and onion mixture and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
5. Form the meatballs: Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form meatballs, each about 3 tablespoons of meat. Place them onto the lined baking sheets.
6. Bake the meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until they are evenly browned and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
7. Prepare the sauce: While the meatballs are baking, make the sauce. In a large saucepan or pot, combine the BBQ sauce, apple jelly, grape jelly, and liquid smoke (if using). Set the heat to medium and stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from burning. Heat until the jellies have fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
8. Combine the meatballs and sauce: Once the meatballs are done baking, transfer them to a deep baking dish. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and gently toss to coat.
9. Bake the meatballs in sauce: Bake the meatballs in the sauce for an additional 15 minutes, basting them with the sauce every 5 minutes to keep them moist and flavorful.
10. Serve and enjoy.

Note: You can substitute the avocado oil with any cooking oil of your choice for sautéing the vegetables. Feel free to adjust the fat-to-meat ratio in the ground beef to your preference. A leaner beef will work just fine but may result in slightly drier meatballs. The liquid smoke is optional but adds a nice smoky flavor to the sauce. The seasoning can be modified to your liking, but garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper are classic choices that complement the BBQ sauce without overpowering it.

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