Name: Tangy BBQ Meatball Sliders Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: Cooking spray; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 0.5 cup finely chopped onion; 1 clove garlic, minced; 2 cups ketchup; 0.66 cup molasses (such as Grandma's®); 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1.5 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 1.5 tablespoons dry mustard powder (such as Colman's®); 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco®), or to taste; 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste; 0.5 pound ground beef; 0.5 pound ground pork; 0.75 cup fresh bread crumbs; 0.25 cup milk; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 1 tablespoon stone-ground mustard; 1 teaspoon grill seasoning (such as Montreal Steak Seasoning®); 1 clove garlic, minced; 12 slider-size burger buns

Elevate your slider game with these incredibly flavorful, homemade BBQ meatball sliders. Forget the freezer aisle – these are bursting with tangy, smoky goodness, perfect for game days, parties, or a satisfying weeknight treat. The depth of flavor from the slow-simmered sauce and perfectly seasoned meatballs will leave you craving more.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with foil and placing a baking rack on top. Lightly spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray. (5 minutes)

02

Step

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for approximately 3 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. (5 minutes)

03

Step

Pour in the ketchup, molasses, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard powder, hot sauce, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your liking. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water to reach the desired consistency. (40 minutes)

04

Step

While the sauce simmers, prepare the meatballs. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, fresh bread crumbs, milk, lightly beaten egg, stone-ground mustard, grill seasoning, and minced garlic. Gently mix until just combined – avoid overmixing. (5 minutes)

05

Step

Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop or your hands, form the meat mixture into balls, approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place the meatballs onto the prepared baking rack, ensuring there is enough space between them for even browning. (15 minutes)

06

Step

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven until their internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), approximately 25 to 30 minutes. (30 minutes)

07

Step

Once the meatballs are cooked, gently stir them into the simmering BBQ sauce. Allow the meatballs to simmer in the sauce until they are heated through, about 10 to 15 minutes, ensuring they are fully coated in the delicious BBQ sauce. (15 minutes)