Sweet and Tangy BBQ Cola Meatballs
These Sweet and Tangy BBQ Cola Meatballs are a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. Juicy lean ground beef is combined with savory spices and breadcrumbs, rolled into bite-sized meatballs, and baked to perfection. The real magic happens when they're simmered in a flavorful barbeque sauce made with cola, which adds a delightful sweetness and rich depth of flavor. Finished with chopped onions and green bell peppers, these meatballs are a guaranteed hit at potlucks, game days, or family dinners—perfect for serving with toothpicks or nestled into slider buns.
36
Servings
60
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef
1 1/2 lbs (raw)
dry breadcrumbs
1 1/4 cups (plain)
egg
1 (beaten)
onions, grated
3 tablespoons (grated)
dry ranch dressing mix
1 (1 ounce) package (dry)
ketchup
1 cup (plain)
apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons (plain)
cola
3/4 cup (plain)
onion, chopped
1/2 cup (chopped)
green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup (chopped)
seasoning salt
1 teaspoon (plain)
ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (plain)
Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon (plain)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lean ground beef, dry breadcrumbs, beaten egg, grated onions, and dry ranch dressing mix. Mix until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3
Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a jellyroll pan or a baking sheet with sides to catch any drippings.
4
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, making sure to turn them halfway through for even browning.
5
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce by mixing together the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, cola, chopped onion, and green bell pepper in a slow cooker.
6
Season the sauce mixture with seasoning salt, ground black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, and stir to combine.
7
Once the meatballs are done baking, carefully remove them from the baking sheet and add them to the sauce in the slow cooker, stirring gently to coat them in the sauce.
8
Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld, then remove the lid and let cook for an additional 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
2g
Fat
8g
Carbs
5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sweet and Tangy BBQ Cola Meatballs?
They are juicy lean ground beef meatballs combined with savory spices and breadcrumbs, baked and then simmered in a flavorful barbeque sauce made with cola, ketchup, and apple cider vinegar.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 36 servings, making it ideal for large gatherings or potlucks.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking the meatballs?
The meatballs should be baked in an oven preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How long do the meatballs need to bake in the oven?
The meatballs should bake for 30 minutes, and they should be turned halfway through for even browning.
What kind of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 lbs of lean ground beef.
Is a slow cooker required for this recipe?
Yes, after baking, the meatballs are moved to a slow cooker to simmer in the sauce and meld the flavors.
How long do the meatballs cook in the slow cooker?
Cook the meatballs on Low for 3 hours, then remove the lid and cook for an additional 15 minutes.
What ingredients make up the BBQ sauce?
The sauce is a mixture of ketchup, apple cider vinegar, cola, chopped onion, green bell pepper, seasoning salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
How many calories are in a single serving?
Each serving contains approximately 60 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 2 grams of fat per serving of these meatballs.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
Each serving contains 8 grams of carbohydrates.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 5 grams of protein per serving.
What size should the meatballs be rolled into?
The meat mixture should be shaped into 1-inch meatballs.
Does this recipe use dry ranch dressing mix?
Yes, one 1-ounce package of dry ranch dressing mix is added to the meatball mixture for seasoning.
What type of breadcrumbs are used?
The recipe specifies 1 1/4 cups of plain dry breadcrumbs.
How many ingredients are needed in total?
There are 13 total ingredients required for this recipe.
Can these meatballs be served as appetizers?
Yes, they are categorized as appetizers and are perfect for serving with toothpicks.
Is cola a necessary ingredient?
Yes, 3/4 cup of cola is essential for adding a delightful sweetness and rich depth of flavor to the sauce.
Are there vegetables in the sauce?
Yes, the sauce includes 1/2 cup of chopped onion and 1/2 cup of chopped green bell pepper.
What kind of vinegar is used for the tangy flavor?
Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar are used to provide the tangy element.
Do I need to grease the baking sheet?
The recipe recommends using a jellyroll pan or a baking sheet with sides to catch any drippings, but does not explicitly require greasing.
Is egg used as a binder?
Yes, one beaten egg is included in the meat mixture to help bind the ingredients together.
What is the purpose of grated onions in the meat mixture?
Three tablespoons of grated onions are added to the meatball mixture for flavor and moisture.
Is Worcestershire sauce included in the recipe?
Yes, one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce is added to the slow cooker sauce mixture.
Can these be used for Valentine's Day?
Yes, the recipe tags suggest it is a suitable dish for Valentine's Day gatherings.
Are these meatballs suitable for game days?
Yes, they are described as a guaranteed hit for game days and family dinners.
Can I serve these on buns?
Yes, they are perfect for being nestled into slider buns.
What seasonings are used in the sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with seasoning salt, ground black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
Why do I cook them with the lid off for the final 15 minutes?
Removing the lid for the final 15 minutes allows the sauce to thicken slightly before serving.
What type of beef is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies lean ground beef to ensure the meatballs are juicy without being overly greasy.