Homemade Make Ahead BBQ Meatballs Recipe

Whether you’re looking for an easy main course for dinner or a simple appetizer for a party, you can’t go wrong with meatballs! And no matter when you plan to serve them, this BBQ meatballs recipe is sure to be a hit. On top of being quick and easy to make, this flavourful recipe can be made ahead and frozen until you’re ready to enjoy it.Because this freezer meal is cooked in the slow cooker, it’s a great dish to take to potlucks as well. 

If you’re a fan of meatballs, we also have recipes for Keto Italian meatballs, Swedish meatballs, and easy Asian meatballs.

BBQ Meatballs Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef, raw
• 5 oz. evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup instant oatmeal
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup onion, minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 3 tablespoons MSG-free onion soup mix

For the Sauce:

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp liquid smoke (any flavor)
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Assembly Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, evaporated milk, oats, eggs, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, chili powder, and onion soup mix. Use your hands to work the ingredients together until everything is well combined.
3. Scoop out a small amount of the meat mixture and form it into evenly sized balls. Place each meatball on a cookie sheet with edges.
4. Bake the meatballs for 25 minutes, until they are cooked through. Remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool completely.
5. While the meatballs are cooling, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, liquid smoke, and garlic in a bowl. After mixing the sauce ingredients together, pour the mixture into a large resealable freezer bag.
6. Once the meatballs are cool, transfer them to the freezer bag with the sauce and gently mix to coat meatballs in sauce. Remove excess air and seal the bag. Place the bag in the freezer.

Cooking Instructions:

1. Transfer the freezer bag to the refrigerator to thaw.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the meatballs and sauce in a baking dish and cover the pan. Bake for one hour, removing the cover for the last 15 minutes.
3. To prepare in the crockpot, transfer the meatballs and sauce to the bowl of your slow cooker. Place the lid on top and cook for 2 to 3 hours on high or 5 hours on low.

Is It Better to Freeze Cooked or Raw Meatballs?

Freezing meatballs is a great way to speed up the prep work as you’re cooking dinner. But if you’re new to freezer cooking, you might wondering which preparation method is best – cooked or raw meatballs.

While you can freeze your meatballs either cooked or raw, cooking them before freezing them seems to have better results. That’s because your meatballs will hold their shape and cook more quickly if they’re cooked before freezing.

To get your meatballs ready for the freezer, start by preparing and cooking them according to the recipe. After the meatballs are fully cooked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely. Then you can transfer them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag until you’re ready to serve them.

How Long Can Frozen Meatballs Stay in the Freezer?

When stored properly, your frozen meatballs will stay good for up to two months. The key to ensuring your meatballs stay good until you’re ready to use them is to take the time to properly store your meatballs in the freezer.

• Allow them to cool. The most important step in freezing your meatballs is to allow them to cool completely before transferring them to the storage container. If you place hot meatballs in the container, you risk trapping steam and excess moisture in the bag with the meatballs. This could cause freezer burn after the food is placed in the freezer.
• Place them in the right container. Once the meatballs are cool, transfer them to a freezer-safe container. You can store them in a baking dish with a lid, an airtight container, or a freezer bag for long-term storage.
• Remove excess air. After you transfer the meatballs to the container, remove as much air as possible before sealing it. This will help protect your food from freezer burn and ensure they last all they way to their expiration date.
• Label the container. The last step to storing your meatballs properly is to write the name of the recipe, date of freezing, and expected expiration date on the container. This will make it easy to identify everything in your freezer and ensure you cook your meatballs before they go bad.

What Can I Serve with BBQ Meatballs?

This quick and easy dinner is perfect for a busy weeknight. But as you’re planning your meal, you can’t forget about the sides! Try these serving ideas for rounding out your meal.

• White or brown rice
• Mashed potatoes
• Macaroni and cheese
• Steamed vegetables
• Chopped salad

How Do You Store Leftover BBQ Meatballs?

After dinner is over, you may have a few uneaten meatballs leftover. Luckily, they’re easy to store! Just transfer the leftovers to an airtight container or cover the pan with plastic wrap. Place the meatballs in the refrigerator until you’re ready to reheat them. They’ll stay good in the fridge for up to four days.

Print

Smoky BBQ Meatballs

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

 

Course: Main Course

Keyword: meatballs

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs. ground beef raw
• 5 oz. evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup instant oatmeal
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup onion minced
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 3 Tbsp. MSG-free onion soup mix

For the Sauce:

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp liquid smoke any flavor
• 1 garlic clove minced

Instructions

Assembly Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, evaporated milk, oats, eggs, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, chili powder, and onion soup mix. Use your hands to work the ingredients together until everything is well combined.
3. Scoop out a small amount of the meat mixture and form it into evenly sized balls. Place each meatball on a cookie sheet with edges.

4. Bake the meatballs for 25 minutes, until they are cooked through. Remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool.

5. While the meatballs are cooling, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, liquid smoke, and garlic in a bowl. After mixing the sauce ingredients together, pour the mixture into a large resealable freezer bag.

6. Once the meatballs are cool, transfer them to the freezer bag with the sauce and gently mix to coat meatballs in sauce. Remove excess air and seal. Freeze.

Slow Cooker Cooking Instructions:

1. Thaw.

2. To prepare in the crockpot, transfer the meatballs and sauce to the slow cooker. Cook for 2 to 3 hours on high or 5 hours on low.

Oven Cooking Instructions:

1. Thaw.

2. Preheat the oven to 350°. Place the meatballs and sauce in a baking dish and cover. Bake for one hour, removing the cover for the last 15 minutes.