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BBQ Smoked Meatballs

5 from 4 votes
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By: the Evinks9 Comments
Posted: 03/31/23 Updated: 09/01/23

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BBQ Smoked Meatballs collage. Top image is a meatball on a fork. Bottom is a white bowl full of bbq meatballs.
BBQ Smoked Meatballs collage. Top image of meatballs with bbq sauce in a bowl, bottom image of uncooked meatballs on a grill pan
Smoked BBQ Meatballs in bowl
Traeger BBQ Meatballs in bowl
Smoked BBQ Meatballs in bowl
Traeger BBQ Meatballs collage. Top image of meatball on a fork, bottom image of bowl of meatballs
BBQ Smoked Meatballs in bowl
BBQ Smoked Meatballs Pin Image
BBQ Smoked Meatballs Pinterest Image
BBQ Smoked Meatballs Pin Image

BBQ Smoked Meatballs are tender, juicy meatballs that are smoked on your Traeger! Fire up your electric smoker and make this smoked meatball recipe today. They are perfect for dinner, entertaining and more. Make a double batch and freeze half of them for an easy freezer meal. This is an easy smoker recipe perfect for everyone to try!

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Traeger Smoked Meatballs in bowl

Tender and juicy these BBQ Smoked Meatballs are smoked right on the Traeger. This hands off recipe does involved a lot of fuss and can be made in a hour.

Truly my favorite new recipe and the easiest way to make the perfect smoked meatballs and you know what’s best? 

They freeze great! Love that because then I can use this recipe to make Grilled Meatball Subs when I don’t feel like cooking! And if you love this recipe, then you’ll love smoked stuffed meatballs too.

Why You’ll Love These Smoked Meatballs!

  • It’s quick! That’s right it only takes less than a hour to make them.
  • Simple ingredients. These are pantry staples that are easy to find.
  • Make them ahead of time! You can prep the meatballs ahead of time or even use frozen ones.

Ingredients for Smoked Meatballs

Ingredients for Meatballs

  • Hamburger
  • Ground pork
  • Italian panko crumbs
  • Yellow onion
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Parmesan cheese 
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Cheddar cheese shredded
  • Salt
  • Seasoned salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic powder

BBQ Sauce Ingredients

  • BBQ sauce
  • honey
  • brown sugar
Smoked Meatballs on smoker

How to Make BBQ Smoked Meatballs

  1. Mix all the ingredients for the meatballs in a mixing bowl and form into a 1” meatballs.
  2. Preheat smoked to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. Place meatballs on preheated smoker and smoke from 30-40 minutes or until internal temperature for 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. While meatballs are smoking combine BBQ sauce ingredients in a large bowl.
  5. Remove from smoker and gently stir in BBQ sauce. Serve immediately.

Pro Tips!

  • Don’t over mix the meat. They will become tough.
  • Using a small ice cream scoop to portion meatballs is a great way to make the meatballs a uniform size so they will cook evenly.

What Pellets Should be Used for Smoked Meatballs

We recommend a hickory pellet or competition blend for this easy meatball recipe. Other great options were Alder and Apple pellets for a lighter flavor.

How Can You Tell When Meatballs Are Done?

You will need an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meatballs. The safe internal temperature for meatballs is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do not trust the color of the meat because the beef can stay red when it is smoking.

Why do meatballs fall apart when cooking?

Too much, or too little binder! They will fall apart if there’s not enough binder, likewise, they will fall apart if there’s too much! Like Goldilocks, the mixture has to be just right!

Chilling the mixture before forming meatballs is always a plus. If the meat mixture is cold, it’s less likely to stick to your fingers and hands. The less handling, the more tender the meatball.

We didn’t have any trouble with this recipe falling apart. We used a small ice cream scoop to scoop the meat mixture with and it worked great!

BBQ Smoked Meatballs on fork

Make Ahead Tips

You can prep the meatballs and store them in the refrigerator for up to two days before smoking them.

Another option is to freeze premade meatballs and thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and smoke them.

We like to make a double batch of smoked meatballs then after smoking the meatballs we freeze them in an freezer safe container for up to three months. When you are ready to enjoy them thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm.

How to Store Leftovers

If you have leftovers place them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

You can also freeze them by placing them in an freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat Leftovers

You can heat them in the oven in a oven proof dish between 300-350 degrees Fahrenheit until they are warmed to 165 degrees Fahrenheit internal temperature.

We have also warmed them on stove top in a saucepan until heated through.

Using a microwave is another option!

Bowl of Traeger BBQ Smoked Meatballs

More Delicious Smoker Recipes!

  • Our viral Smoked Ribs are so delicious and anyone can make these fall off the bone tender ribs!
  • At your next party serve up a batch of Poor Man’s Burnt Ends. Tender, fall apart pieces of roast with so much flavor.
  • Love jalapeno poppers? If you do, Smoked Armadillo Eggs are going to be your new favorite thing! 
  • The best bacon ever! Smoked Bacon is so easy to make and will have your mouth watering because it’s perfectly smoky, crispy and addictive.

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Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @gimmesomegrilling or #gimmesomegrilling so I can see your grilling masterpieces!

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Smoked Meatballs with BBQ Sauce in bowl
5 from 4 votes

BBQ Smoked Meatballs Recipe

Delicious BBQ Smoked Meatballs made on your Traeger! These tender, juicy meatballs are cooked on an electric smoker then topped with a brown sugar BBQ sauce!
Prep:20 minutes mins
Cook:30 minutes mins
Total:50 minutes mins
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meatballs

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 2 pounds hamburger
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 cup Italian panko crumbs
  • ½ cup yellow onion chopped
  • ⅓ cup milk
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ½ cup mild Cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

BBQ Sauce

  • 2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 3 Tablespoons honey
  • 3 Tablespoons brown sugar packed

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl combine all the ingredients for the meatballs, be careful not to over mix. Form into 1” meatballs. We used a small ice cream scoop to portion them with. Place on wire rack.
  • Prepare your electric smoker to 300 degrees Fahrenheit according to manufacturer's directions.
  • Place meatballs on smoker. Smoked for 30-40 minutes or until internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Remove from smoker.
  • Combine BBQ sauce ingredients in large bowl. Add meatballs and gently stir until meatballs are coated.
  • Serve immediately.

Tips

  • We recommend a hickory pellet or competition blend for this easy meatball recipe. Other great options were Alder and Apple pellets for a lighter flavor.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 161kcal (8%), Carbohydrates: 19g (6%), Protein: 7g (14%), Fat: 5g (8%), Saturated Fat: 2g (13%), Cholesterol: 25mg (8%), Sodium: 473mg (21%), Potassium: 103mg (3%), Sugar: 6g (7%), Vitamin A: 115IU (2%), Vitamin C: 0.6mg (1%), Calcium: 123mg (12%), Iron: 1.2mg (7%)
© Gimme Some Grilling ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.

Did you make this?

Be sure to upload a photo & tag me at @gimmesomegrilling. I love seeing what you made!

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Meet the Evinks

Hi! We are Jason & Julie! We focus on easy, simple recipes that everyone can tackle on their smoker and grills that the entire family will enjoy!

Read more...

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Recipe Rating




  1. Dan says

    Posted on 7/28/19 at 11:05 am

    5 stars
    Nailed it the 1st time. Makes a lot of meatballs. A very tasty recipe indeed!

    Reply
    • Julie Evink says

      Posted on 7/29/19 at 2:04 am

      So glad you enjoyed them!

      Reply
  2. Nichole says

    Posted on 5/6/19 at 2:08 pm

    5 stars
    Made this weekend with our own farm fresh pork, beef, eggs, milk & local honey in the sauce! Amazing recipe and will be making again for sure!!

    Reply
    • Julie Evink says

      Posted on 5/9/19 at 6:14 pm

      So glad you enjoyed them Nichole! Thanks for coming back and letting us know!

      Reply
  3. Aimee Shugarman says

    Posted on 1/31/19 at 2:10 pm

    5 stars
    Whoa. Now these are awesome!!!

    Reply
    • Julie Evink says

      Posted on 2/1/19 at 5:28 pm

      So delicious! Gimme them all!

      Reply
  4. Taryn says

    Posted on 1/31/19 at 1:45 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve never smoked meatballs before. Yum!

    Reply
    • Julie Evink says

      Posted on 2/1/19 at 5:28 pm

      You’ve gotta try them! So good!

      Reply
  5. Karly says

    Posted on 1/16/19 at 6:10 pm

    These look so good! Can’t wait to try!

    Reply

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Hi! We are Jason & Julie! We focus on easy, simple recipes that everyone can tackle on their smoker and grills that the entire family will enjoy!

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