Smoked Stuffed BBQ Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lbground beef
80/20
- ⅓ lbground pork
- ¼ cpork panko
otherwise regular panko breadcrumbs are fine, if gluten-free
- 1 tbspdry rub
we used the one in the notes below
- ½ tspdried thyme
- ⅓red onion
diced
- 2 clovesgarlic
finely diced
- 2 tbspworcestershire sauce
- 1egg
- 1 tbspparmesan cheese
shredded
- 4mozzarella cheese sticks
cut into roughly 1" pieces, adjust to the size of your meatballs
- 1 cbarbecue sauce
Directions
- 1
Preparation: Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees F. We used apple wood chunks with lump charcoal on our Big Green Egg.
- 2
Make Meatballs: While the smoker is warming, prepare the meatballs by combining all ingredients (less the BBQ sauce and mozzarella cheese) and combine with your hands. Be gentle just mix enough so it's all together.
- 3
Roll: Prepare meatballs by rolling a little over a tablespoon in size and then using your thumb, press a small indent and place cheese in the fold. Then work the meatball again around the cheese so you have the meat surrounding the cheese. That's why we go with larger meatballs.
- 4
Smoke: Place meatballs in the smoker until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees (about 45 minutes) when checking the internal temperature of the meat. Then place the meatballs in a heat proof dish (or cast iron skillet) with the BBQ sauce and return to your smoker and close lid.
- 5
Serve: When the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees (or about 15 more minutes) they are done. Serve warm!!!
Smoked Stuffed BBQ Meatballs Recipe
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 11 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving the ultimate game day food or an irresistible appetizer for your next gathering? These Smoked Stuffed BBQ Meatballs deliver big, smoky flavor with a gooey, cheesy surprise inside, making them a true crowd-pleaser.
What makes these stuffed meatballs stand out is the thoughtful combination of rich ground beef and pork, slow-smoked to perfection on the grill, and then glazed with tangy barbecue sauce. Each bite offers a juicy exterior, a punch of savory smoky flavor, and a satisfying melty mozzarella core that truly elevates them beyond your average party meatball.
Prepare for a truly indulgent appetizer experience. You'll savor the tender, flavorful meatball mixture, enhanced by savory Worcestershire, aromatic garlic, and a hint of thyme, all encased in a beautiful smoky crust. The melted mozzarella inside creates a delightful contrast, while the sweet and tangy BBQ glaze adds that perfect sticky finish. These bbq meatballs are designed to impress, delivering deep, complex flavors that taste like they took all day, but only require about an hour of cook time. With 214 calories per serving, they are a satisfying treat. For those avoiding gluten, using pork panko as specified makes this a naturally friendly option.
You can easily tailor these smoked meatballs to your pantry and preferences. If you're looking for a gluten-free option, ensure you use pork panko; otherwise, regular panko breadcrumbs work perfectly. Feel free to experiment with your favorite dry rub for the meatball mixture to personalize the flavor profile, and choose a barbecue sauce that matches your preferred level of sweet or smoky.
These Smoked Stuffed BBQ Meatballs are truly the ultimate game day food, perfect for sharing at any gathering or party. Serve them hot straight from the smoker, perhaps with extra barbecue sauce for dipping.