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smoked italian meatballs recipe


  • Author: Valentina Lewis
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 7 meatballs
  • Diet: Gluten-Free

Description

🍝 Experience the rich and savory flavors of Italian meatballs infused with a smoky aroma!
🔥 Perfect for a gourmet twist on traditional meatballs, enjoy them as appetizers or a main dish with pasta.


Ingredients

– 1 pound ground Italian sausage for flavor and moisture

– 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend) for texture

– 2 eggs for binding

– 1 cup breadcrumbs for structure

– 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs for tenderness

– 1/4 cup water for soaking panko

– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for umami

– 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley for herbal notes

– 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic for flavor

– 1 teaspoon pepper for heat

– 1 teaspoon kosher salt

– 1 teaspoon oregano for flavor

– 1 teaspoon onion powder for aroma

– 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

– 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce for depth


Instructions

1-First Step: Prep ingredients Soak ½ cup panko breadcrumbs in ¼ cup water for 5 minutes to soften. Finely chop parsley and mince garlic. Measure spices and cheeses. Preheat your smoker or grill to 180°F (82°C) for indirect cooking.

2-Second Step: Mix ingredients In a large bowl, combine soaked panko, Parmesan, chopped parsley, eggs, minced garlic, pepper, parsley, oregano, crushed red pepper, kosher salt, and onion powder. Mix well to distribute flavors evenly.

3-Third Step: Add meats and bind Add ground Italian sausage and beef to the mixture. Gently fold ingredients together by hand or with a spoon just until combined, avoiding overmixing to prevent toughness. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and additional breadcrumbs if the mixture feels too wet.

4-Fourth Step: Shape meatballs Form approximately 7 uniform meatballs of around 1.5-inch diameter (3.5 ounces each) to ensure even cooking. Place them on a wire rack or smoker tray spaced apart for airflow.

5-Fifth Step: Begin smoking Place the meatballs in the smoker or indirect grill area and smoke at 180°F for 20-25 minutes. Use a low smoke setting to add flavor without overpowering the meatballs.

6-Sixth Step: Finish cooking Increase the cooking temperature to 350°F (177°C) and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), indicating they are fully safe to eat.

7-Final Step: Rest and serve Remove meatballs and let rest 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Serve over pasta with marinara sauce or as appetizers with dipping sauces. Garnish with extra parsley or Parmesan as desired.

Notes

📝 Soak panko breadcrumbs to maintain a tender texture in meatballs.
🔄 Avoid over-mixing to keep meatballs juicy and flavorful.
⚖️ Consistent meatball sizes ensure even cooking and best results.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Resting Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Smoking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 meatball
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 700 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 15 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg

Keywords: Smoked Italian Meatballs, BBQ Meatballs, Gourmet Appetizers, Italian BBQ Twist