Absolutely Awesome Smoky Meatballs

Get ready to elevate your dinner game with these Absolutely Awesome Smoky Meatballs—juicy, flavorful, and irresistibly glazed! Perfectly seasoned with smoked paprika, cumin, and a hint of Worcestershire sauce, these tender meatballs combine ground beef and pork for a rich, savory bite. A quick sear locks in the flavor, while a barbecue sauce glaze baked to perfection adds a smoky-sweet finish. Simple yet gourmet, these meatballs are ready in under an hour and pair wonderfully with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or a fluffy bed of rice. Ideal for weeknight meals or entertaining guests, this recipe is a must-try for fans of smoky, hearty comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef (preferably 80/20 blend)
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Milk
• 1 large Egg
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 0.5 cup Barbecue sauce (for glazing)
• 2 tablespoons Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.

Step 2

In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the milk and soften.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, soaked breadcrumb mixture, egg, garlic, smoked paprika, ground cumin, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix with your hands or a spoon until just combined. Do not overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.

Step 4

Using a tablespoon or a small scoop, portion the meat mixture and roll it between your palms to form evenly sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get around 20-24 meatballs.

Step 5

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches if necessary, sear the meatballs for 1-2 minutes on each side, just until browned. Transfer the browned meatballs to the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until they are cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Step 7

While the meatballs are baking, warm the barbecue sauce in a small saucepan over low heat to make it easier to glaze.

Step 8

Once the meatballs are done baking, transfer them to a large bowl and toss them gently with the warmed barbecue sauce until well coated.

Step 9

Serve the smoky meatballs hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. They pair beautifully with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or over a bed of rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1012.8 grams (1012.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2552

Total Fat 166.60g	214%
Saturated Fat 59.20g	296%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.30g
Cholesterol 742mg	247%
Sodium 3186mg	139%
Total Carbohydrate 110.50g	40%
Dietary Fiber 4.00g	14%
Total Sugars 60.00g
Protein 153.00g	306%

Vitamin D 109IU	544%
Calcium 327mg	25%
Iron 17mg	93%
Potassium 1410mg	30%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.7%

Protein: 24.0%

Carbs: 17.3%