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BBQ meatballs are sweet, spicy, and sticky—in the best way possible. Perfect for game nights, family gatherings, or even a cozy dinner at home.

These Honey BBQ Meatballs are so good, you won’t be able to resist.

Have you ever been to a party and found yourself hovering over the appetizer table, shamelessly eating more than your fair share of meatballs? No? Just me?

Trust me, once you try these, you’ll want to make them for every occasion.

I make these meatballs when I’m craving something hearty but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. You know, like, all the time, haha!

The combination of honey and BBQ sauce gives them a delightful sweetness, while the Sriracha adds just the right amount of kick.

They’re super easy to make, and the best part is, they’re baked—not fried! So, you can enjoy them guilt-free (or at least with a little less guilt LOL).

So, grab your apron and let’s get cooking some BBQ meatballs! I promise, your taste buds will thank you.

Some of our other favorite MEATBALL RECIPES we have on our site include: Slow Cooker Asian Pork Meatballs with Pineapple, Baked Spaghetti and Meatball Sliders Recipe, and Homemade Crockpot Swedish Meatballs Recipe.

a toothpick in BBQ meatballs on serving board

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The sweetness of honey and BBQ sauce combined with the spiciness of Sriracha creates a mouthwatering glaze.
Easy to Prepare: With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, these meatballs are perfect for both beginners and seasoned cooks.
Versatile Dish: Great as a party appetizer or a main dish when served with rice or pasta.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):

Ground beef
Egg
Breadcrumbs
Chopped onion
Minced garlic
Freshly chopped parsley
Salt
Prepared honey BBQ sauce

For the sauce:

BBQ sauce
Honey
Sriracha sauce

ingredients needed to make BBQ meatballs

HOW TO MAKE BBQ MEATBALLS:

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cover a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the meatballs from sticking.
To make the sauce, mix the BBQ sauce, honey, and Sriracha sauce in a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until well combined. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and 1 tablespoon prepared honey BBQ sauce.
Mix well with your hands until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Form small meatballs (36 pieces) with the meat mixture and place them on the prepared baking tray.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for approximately 12 minutes. At the 6-minute mark, flip them over to ensure they brown evenly on all sides.
Once the meatballs are cooked and golden brown, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a large bowl.
Pour the BBQ Honey Sriracha sauce over the meatballs and gently toss to coat them evenly with the sauce.
Serve the meatballs on individual plates or on a large platter for sharing, and enjoy them as an appetizer alongside your favorite accompaniments.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

CAN THESE BE MADE IN THE SLOW COOKER?

Yes, you can definitely make these meatballs in a crock pot or slow cooker!

Slow cooking allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, resulting in juicy meatballs that are full of extra flavor.

Simply combine ground beef with the other meatball ingredients like bread crumbs, garlic powder, and black pepper.

Form the mixture into golf ball-sized raw meatballs and place them in a single layer in your slow cooker.

Pour your homemade BBQ sauce recipe or even a store-bought barbecue sauce over the top.

Cook on low heat for about 4-6 hours, or until the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165°F.

This method is perfect for making a larger batch for parties or family gatherings.

CAN THESE BE MADE AHEAD?

Absolutely! Making these meatballs ahead of time is a great way to save time, especially if you’re planning them for an easy appetizer at a party.

Prepare the meatball mixture by combining all the ingredients.

Form them into meatballs and store the raw meatballs in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

When you’re ready to cook, let them come to room temperature for about 20 minutes. Then bake them!

Alternatively, you can bake them and store the cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge.

When it’s time to serve, simply reheat them over medium-high heat in a baking dish with your sweet homemade BBQ sauce.

This way, you can enjoy delicious meatballs without the last-minute rush!

overhead image of BBQ meatballs on parchment paper

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ANY ADDITITONS?

Bring on the extra flavors! I love changing things up.

Nothing says you have to stick to the original.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds for extra crunch.
Add chopped green onions on top for freshness.
Mix in some grated cheddar cheese into the meat mixture.
Serve over mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
Add a pinch of chili powder for extra heat.
Use a blend of ground beef and ground pork for richer flavor.
Serve with a side of potato salad.
Drizzle a little soy sauce into the sauce mixture.
Add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the meat mixture.
Top with crispy fried onions for added texture.

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

Yes indeed, I’ve got some ideas for you.

If you have any others, let me know in the comments!

Ground Beef: Substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option.
Breadcrumbs: Use crushed crackers or oatmeal if you’re out of breadcrumbs.
Sriracha Sauce: Replace with hot sauce or omit for a milder version.
Egg: Use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water) for an egg-free option.
Honey BBQ Sauce: Use regular BBQ sauce and add extra honey if needed.
Parsley: Substitute with cilantro or basil for a different flavor.

a toothpick holding up BBQ meatballs in air

HOW TO STORE:

Refrigerator

Place leftover meatballs in an airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through.

Freezer

Allow meatballs to cool completely.
Place them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or container.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:

Uniform Meatballs: Use a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to ensure all meatballs are the same size for even cooking.
Don’t Overmix: Mix the meatball mixture gently to avoid tough meatballs.
Adjust the Heat: Feel free to add more or less Sriracha sauce to suit your spice preference.
Test a Meatball: Cook a small piece of the mixture in a pan to taste and adjust seasoning before forming all the meatballs.
Line Your Baking Sheet: Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
Double the Sauce: If you’re a sauce lover like me, make extra for dipping or drizzling over rice or noodles.

a hand holding up a toothpick with BBQ meatballs on it with a bite taken out

These BBQ Meatballs are a delightful blend of sweet and spicy that’s sure to be a big hit at your next party or family dinner.

Go ahead, give this recipe a try—you might just find your new favorite way to enjoy meatballs!

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If you’ve tried these BBQ MEATBALLS, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!