Tailgate 500 Meatballs
Score big at your next game-day celebration with these irresistible Tailgate 500 Meatballs! This crowd-pleasing recipe combines the rich flavors of ground beef and pork with a savory medley of Parmesan cheese, garlic, and parsley, rolled into tender one-inch meatballs. Sear them to golden perfection, bake them until juicy, and then simmer them in a slow cooker with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce enhanced by the surprising twist of grape jelly. Designed for tailgating or any party, these meatballs are easy to prepare, keep warm in the slow cooker, and are ideal for serving on toothpicks or skewers. Whether you’re hosting friends for football or just craving a hearty appetizer, Tailgate 500 Meatballs are your ultimate winning play. Perfect for searchers looking for "easy slow cooker meatball recipes," "game-day appetizers," or "barbecue meatballs for a crowd."
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup milk
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1.5 cups barbecue sauce
- 0.5 cup grape jelly
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix together with clean hands or a spatula until well combined.
Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, portion the mixture into approximately 1-inch meatballs. Roll them gently between your palms to form a uniform shape.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the meatballs in batches, carefully browning them on all sides. About 1-2 minutes per side should suffice. Transfer the seared meatballs to the prepared baking sheet.
Once all the meatballs are seared, place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 10 minutes to ensure the meatballs are fully cooked through.
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a slow cooker, combine the barbecue sauce and grape jelly. Stir until smooth.
Remove the meatballs from the oven and carefully transfer them to the slow cooker. Gently toss or spoon the sauce over the meatballs to coat them evenly.
Set the slow cooker to low heat, cover, and simmer for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally to ensure even coating and flavor absorption.
Serve the Tailgate 500 Meatballs directly from the slow cooker to keep them warm, or transfer them to a serving dish or skewers. They're perfect as an appetizer or party snack!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
532 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.9 g | 38% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.6 g | 53% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 108 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 1053 mg | 46% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 41.6 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.1 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.3 g | ||
| Protein | 24.7 g | 49% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 118 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 2.5 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 430 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
