This Smoky Meatball Recipe is a game changer. I wish the picture would do these smoky meatballs justice. When my cousin brought them to a Super Bowl potluck a few years ago I literally almost lost my mind! They are so good and taste like they’ve been slow cooked in a smoker all day which is why we call them smoky meatballs! They will fill your home with a sweet smoky barbecue aroma that will have you dreaming of a backyard cookout and your kids begging for dinner. Seriously my kids asked me every 5 minutes.
The Secret Ingredient
If you haven’t discovered liquid smoke yet than prepare to be mind blown. Don’t skip this ingredient. DO NOT skip it!!! It’s cheap to buy and can be found here. You’re going to want to add this to everything and I say do it! It’s amazing in everything especially pulled pork, baked beans, barbecue sauces and obviously these smoky meatballs!
Another pro? They make soooo many meatballs (20-24 servings!) You can easily have 2-3 meals if your feeding an army like us or even more depending on the size of your family and the size of your stomach! These smoky meatballs freeze really well and they have only a few ingredients. Sometimes simple is just better.
Are these smoky meatballs good for potlucks you ask? Heck yes they are. All those frozen precooked crock pot meatballs will be put to shame. And listen, I’m not hating on frozen meatballs, I’ve served them up plenty of times, they just pail in comparison to these guys, and once you try these, there is no going back. Prepare to be the star of the show.
Smoky Meatball Sides
I love to serve these meatballs with a side of creamy mashed potatoes and roasted Brussel sprouts but you could also do rice or anything else you feel like. I just love how the sauce from the meatballs gets into the mashed and makes a beautiful gravy! Another excellent side is this classic creamy coleslaw. It goes so well with the sauce from the meatballs and my kids actually love it!
Try this!
If I’m having a party like SUPER BOWL or another get together where I am looking to feed a lot of people this mac and cheese goes beautifully!
TRY THESE TURKEY MEATBALLS STUFFED WITH CHEESE
TRY THIS SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK
Okay, let’s do this!
Smoky Meatballs
Ingredients
- 3 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 13 oz can of evaporated milk
- 2 cups quick oatmeal
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. pepper
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. chili powder
Sauce
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 tbls. liquid smoke
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Prepare the meatballs by mixing all the meatball ingredients into large mixing bowl. I hate to say it but there’s no better kitchen utensil for mixing meatballs than your hands. Roll up your sleeves!
- Roll into balls about the size of a golf ball or slightly bigger. Place on flat plans lightly greased
Sauce
- Mix all your sauce ingredients and pour over meatballs. I use a spoon and place about one spoonful over each meatball.
- Bake covered at 350 degrees for 60- 70 minutes
As always, I love hearing from you and I LOVE seeing your photo’s even more. Upload your pictures on social media using #thegoodwivesblog and invite me into your kitchen 
Enjoy!
Laila