Introduction

These BBQ meatballs are a flavorful and comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners or parties. Made with a juicy blend of ground beef and oats, then smothered in a tangy BBQ sauce, they’re sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (around 80/20)
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 large egg
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup ketchup
1 packet onion soup mix (less to taste as it’s fairly salty)
2 tablespoons water

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, rolled oats, whole milk, Worcestershire sauce, egg, minced onion, and minced garlic. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
Step 3: Shape the mixture into 12 evenly sized, loosely compacted meatballs.
Step 4: Heat the vegetable oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
Step 5: Add the meatballs to the skillet, cooking in batches if necessary. Brown each meatball for about 3 minutes per side until nicely seared.
Step 6: While the meatballs cook, whisk together the ketchup, water, and onion soup mix in a small bowl to create the BBQ sauce.
Step 7: Spoon the BBQ sauce evenly over the browned meatballs. Then transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can place the meatballs in a casserole dish, cover them with the sauce, and bake.

Tips & Variations

For extra tenderness, soak the rolled oats in milk for 10 minutes before mixing.
Use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to beef.
Make the sauce spicier by adding a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the ketchup mixture.
If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, browning the meatballs in a regular pan and then using a casserole dish to bake works perfectly.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or warm them in a covered skillet over low heat to retain moisture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs and sauce up to a day in advance. Keep the meatballs and sauce separate in the fridge, then combine and bake just before serving.

Can I freeze these BBQ meatballs?

Absolutely! Freeze cooked meatballs in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

BBQ Meatballs Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 129 reviews

These BBQ Meatballs combine tender ground beef with oats and savory seasonings, browned to perfection in a skillet and then baked in a flavorful onion soup and ketchup sauce. Perfectly juicy and packed with rich BBQ flavors, they make an ideal main dish for dinner or a party appetizer.

Author: Dana
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 12 meatballs (serves 4) 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

1 pound ground beef (around 80/20)
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

BBQ Sauce

1/2 cup ketchup
1 packet onion soup mix (adjust to taste)
2 tablespoons water

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the meatballs later.
Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, rolled oats, whole milk, Worcestershire sauce, egg, minced onion, and minced garlic. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 12 evenly sized meatballs, loosely compacted to keep them tender.
Brown Meatballs: Heat the vegetable oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches if necessary, and cook each side for about 3 minutes until they are nicely browned.
Prepare Sauce: While the meatballs brown, whisk together ketchup, water, and onion soup mix in a small bowl until smooth and combined.
Add Sauce and Bake: Spoon the prepared sauce evenly over the browned meatballs in the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can transfer the meatballs and sauce to a casserole dish before baking.

Notes

Using rolled oats instead of breadcrumbs adds extra texture and fiber to the meatballs.
Ensure your skillet is oven-safe before transferring it to the oven to bake.
You can adjust the amount of onion soup mix in the sauce for saltiness to suit your taste.
For a spicier version, consider adding chili powder or red pepper flakes to the meat mixture or sauce.
Leftover meatballs can be reheated in the oven or microwave and pair well with rice, mashed potatoes, or on slider buns.

Keywords: BBQ meatballs, baked meatballs, ground beef recipe, onion soup mix sauce, easy dinner, comfort food, skillet meatballs