Grilled Meatballs with Sweet Heat Sauce Recipe – Easy BBQ Appetizer Idea
This grilled meatballs with sweet heat sauce recipe is a bold and flavorful dish made with juicy meatballs grilled to perfection and coated in a sweet-spicy glaze. Perfect for BBQs, parties, or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Grill (charcoal or gas)
- Saucepan
- Tongs
- Skewers (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or blend of beef/pork/turkey/chicken)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh herbs (parsley or basil)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sweet Heat Sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp chili sauce or sriracha
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Mix Meatballs: Combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, herbs, salt, and pepper. Shape into uniform meatballs.
- Preheat Grill: Oil grates lightly and heat to medium-high.
- Grill Meatballs: Cook evenly, turning often, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- Prepare Sauce: In a saucepan, simmer honey, brown sugar, chili sauce, vinegar, and garlic until thickened.
- Coat Meatballs: Toss grilled meatballs in sauce until glossy and sticky.
- Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds or scallions.
Notes
- Spicy Twist: Add extra chili flakes or sriracha.
- Sweet Forward: Increase honey or add pineapple juice.
- Vegetarian Option: Use lentil or chickpea meatballs.
- Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days; freeze meatballs separately and glaze after reheating.
- Pro Tip: Brush sauce on at the end to avoid burning.