BBQ Smoked Meatballs

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!

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

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.

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!

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!

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.