Looking to feed a large crowd for game day or just want to make a killer appetizer? Try these smoked bbq meatballs and little smokies.
These bold and smoky treats are glazed in a tried and true combination of bbq sauce, grape jelly and sweet Thai chili. My mouth is watering already. Who is in?
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Why I Love This Recipe
- It's easy to make: Only 5 ingredients and no prep needed!
- Feeds a large crowd: If you have guests over for a party or the big game there's plenty to go around.
- Great for Leftovers: It tastes just as good (if not better!) the next day, making it a recipe that keeps on giving.
Ingredients
This recipe only requires 5 ingredients and a foil pan to make for easy clean up later!
- Frozen Meatballs
- Little smokie sausages
- Bbq sauce
- Grape Jelly
- Sweet Thai Chili
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Add frozen meatballs and little smokies to the bottom of your pan. Then dump bbq sauce, sweet Thai chili and grape jelly over the top. (No need to mix together yet)
- Step 2: If smoking this dish, start at 225°F for up to two hours and then increase the temperature to 375 for the last 30 minutes. If baking cook at 350°F for 30-40 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir ingredients together half way through after they start to get warm. Make sure meatballs and little smokies are covered in the sauce. The last 30 minutes in the smoker at the higher temperature will help caramelize everything.
- Step 4: Allow dish to cool off for a few minutes and then serve. Make sure to get a little extra scoop of sauce for every bite!
Hint: If the meatballs release too much water while they are cooking and the sauce seems a little runny take about ½ a cup out before you finish on high heat.
"The sauce makes a great sticky, sweet and tangy combo!"
What a great recipe. We will be making this again for our next tailgate.
Variations
- Spicy - Add chili pepper flakes to finish to add heat into the dish.
- Hearty - To amp it up you could use other ingredients like diced onions, bell peppers, or other proteins and serve it over rice.
- Kid friendly - Most kids will love this but you can omit the sweet Thai chili if you are concerned about taste or spice.
Equipment
I do this on my pellet smoker for ease and extra flavor but this can be done in your oven or even your slow cooker! Feel free to use a foil pan for easy clean up or whatever baking dish you prefer.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. If using a foil pan, you can just cover that with foil on top and refrigerate.
Top Tip
If you are bringing this over to someone's house transfer the ingredients to a slow cooker and set it on low when you get there. It will stay warm for hours as people enjoy.
Looking for other easy APPETIZERS like this one?
Smoked BBQ Meatballs and Little Smokies
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 6-8 1x
Ingredients
- 32 oz bag frozen meatballs
- 24 oz package little smokies sausages
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ½ cup grape jelly
- ½ cup sweet Thai chili sauce
Instructions
- Add meatballs and smokies: Place frozen meatballs and little smokies into a foil pan or baking dish.
- Add sauces: Pour BBQ sauce, grape jelly, and sweet Thai chili sauce over the top. No need to mix yet.
- Cook- If smoking: Smoke at 225°F for 2 hours, then increase to 375°F for the final 30 minutes. If baking: Bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes until heated through and bubbly.
- Mix midway: Once everything begins to warm, stir the mixture to fully coat the meatballs and smokies in sauce.
- Caramelize (if smoking): Let the higher heat finish help thicken and caramelize the sauce in the last 30 minutes.
- Serve: Let it cool slightly before serving. Spoon extra sauce over each serving for maximum flavor!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2.5 hours
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Smoked or baked
- Cuisine: American
Tim Clowers says
Jordan nailed in on this recipe and makes it super simple to follow along and get a great snack for the football games coming up this fall.
Jen says
This was so easy to make and the results was yummy!!! Thank you Jordan for making potluck easy for me.
Jordan Hanger says
Thanks Jen! Glad it was a hit.
Chris Howard says
Excellent recipe and process. Many great comments at the party we brought them to. I did add a little extra sauce and ran a high temperature finish
Jordan Hanger says
Thanks Chris! Pretty easy and always a crowd pleaser.