Smoked BBQ Meatballs & Little Smokies Recipe for Gatherings

Why I Love This Recipe

1. Simple and fast: Just five ingredients and minimal prep.
2. Feeds a crowd: Scales easily for parties, tailgates, and gatherings.
3. Great leftovers: Flavors deepen after resting—tastes great the next day.

Ingredients

Only five ingredients and a disposable foil pan make cleanup effortless.

• Frozen meatballs (see quantities below)
• Little smokie sausages
• BBQ sauce
• Grape jelly
• Sweet Thai chili sauce

See the recipe card for exact amounts.

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place frozen meatballs and little smokies in the bottom of a foil pan or baking dish. Pour the BBQ sauce, sweet Thai chili, and grape jelly over the top; no need to mix yet.

2. Step 2: If smoking, cook at 225°F for up to two hours, then raise the temperature to 375°F for the final 30 minutes. If baking, bake at 350°F for 30–40 minutes until heated through and bubbly.

3. Step 3: About halfway through, once the mixture is warming, stir to fully coat the meatballs and smokies in sauce. Ensure everything is well covered.

4. Step 4: Let the dish rest a few minutes before serving. Spoon extra sauce over each serving for maximum flavor.

Hint: If the meatballs release a lot of liquid and the sauce is thin, remove about ½ cup of excess liquid before finishing with high heat so the glaze can caramelize.

“The sauce makes a great sticky, sweet and tangy combo!”

What a great recipe. We will be making this again for our next tailgate.

Variations

• Spicy: Sprinkle chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to kick up the heat.
• Hearty: Add diced onions, bell peppers, or extra proteins and serve over rice for a more substantial meal.
• Kid-friendly: Omit the sweet Thai chili if you prefer a milder, sweeter glaze most kids enjoy.

Equipment

This recipe works on a pellet smoker for extra flavor, but you can also use a conventional oven or a slow cooker. A foil pan makes cleanup simple, but any oven-safe dish will do.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you used a foil pan, cover it tightly with foil before refrigerating.

Top Tip

If transporting to a party, transfer the finished dish into a slow cooker and set it to low on arrival to keep everything warm for hours.

Looking for other easy appetizers like this?

Candied bacon crackers

Smoked bacon-wrapped pickles

Italian hoagie dip

Smoked pig shots

Ingredients

• 32 oz bag frozen meatballs
• 24 oz package little smokies sausages
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• ½ cup grape jelly
• ½ cup sweet Thai chili sauce

Instructions

1. Add meatballs and smokies: Place frozen meatballs and little smokies into a foil pan or baking dish.
2. Add sauces: Pour BBQ sauce, grape jelly, and sweet Thai chili sauce over the top. No need to mix yet.
3. Cook: If smoking: smoke at 225°F for 2 hours, then increase to 375°F for the final 30 minutes. If baking: bake at 350°F for 30–40 minutes until heated through and bubbly.
4. Mix midway: Stir once the mixture warms to coat everything in sauce.
5. Caramelize: The final time at higher heat helps thicken and caramelize the glaze.
6. Serve: Allow to cool slightly and serve with extra sauce spooned over each portion.

• Author: Jordan Hanger
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 2.5 hours
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Smoked or baked
• Cuisine: American