Smoked Meatballs

There’s nothing quite like homemade meatballs when it comes to comfort food. I didn’t think the traditional version could be beat but then I made these smoked meatballs!

Harnessing the power of our much-loved smoker, we were able to infuse the most amazing smoky flavor into classic meatballs. The result is a light-textured meatball with a touch of crust on the outside — and all of the smokiness, of course.

These are such an upgrade to any meal involving meatballs whether it’s Italian-inspired or otherwise. Smothering them in bbq sauce is one of our favorite ways to enjoy them.

The next time you’re thinking about making meatballs, try relying on your smoker to take them over the top.

Common Questions about Smoked Meatballs

What is the secret to making the best meatballs?

Using bread that is older and dryer (eg, day-old bread from the bakery) that has been soaked in milk results in tender meatballs.

Do you need eggs for moist meatballs?

Nope! And this recipe doesn’t have them. Eggs can be used as a binding agent, but they can contribute to a spongy texture in some meatballs, especially when used in excess.

Why chill the meatballs before cooking?

Leaving the meatballs in the refrigerator before cooking is the easiest way to help ensure they retain their shape while they are smoking.

Making Smoked Meatballs Ahead of Time

While these meatballs are best straight out of the smoker (after resting for a few minutes, of course) you can also make them ahead and gently reheat them with the sauce of your choice when you’re ready to serve.

You can also make the meatballs and freeze them before cooking — just let the frozen meatballs thaw completely before smoking.

More Awesome Meatball Recipes

20-Minute Pepper Jelly Meatballs

BBQ Ale Meatballs

Slow Cooker Blueberry Honey Garlic Meatballs

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Italian Wedding Soup with Pork Meatballs

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

BBQ Meatballs Street Tacos

Cranberry BBQ Meatballs

Oven-Baked Meatball Sandwiches

Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs

Storage

These meatballs are easy to store in the fridge or freezer. 

Refrigerator: Store meatballs in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing: You can freeze meatballs for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.

Tips For The Best Smoked Meatballs

While these are fairly foolproof, there are a few things that can help ensure your meatballs are amazing.

• Use plenty of seasoning. One tried and true trick to making the best meatballs is to season them well so don’t skimp on the herbs.
• Grease your hands. Either spray cooking spray on your hands or run a bit of vegetable oil onto your palms to prevent the pieces of meat from sticking to your hands and to ensure you have a perfectly formed ball.
• Use your hands. If you want the best meatballs, you’ll mix them with your hands so that you don’t mix the meat too much.

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make these delicious meatballs in your smoker.

• White bread (torn into pea-sized pieces)
• Milk
• Ground pork
• Onion diced (small)
• Green pepper (diced small)
• Worcestershire sauce
• Italian seasoning
• Black pepper
• Salt

Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need 

Just a few standard staples from your kitchen cabinets (in addition to the smoker) are all you need.

• Smoker
• Small bowl
• Large bowl
• Instant read thermometer
• Baking sheet
• Wire rack or meatball griller
• Disposable foil pan, metal braising pan, or cast iron pan (optional)
• Ice cream scoop, cookie scoop, or melon baller (optional)

How to Make Smoked Meatballs

It couldn’t be easier to make smoky, delicious meatballs.

1. Place the pieces of torn-up white bread into the small bowl. 
2. Pour milk over top and allow time for the bread to soak up the milk.
3. In a large mixing bowl combine the ground pork, diced onion, diced green pepper, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Then, add the bread and milk to the meat mixture. 
5. Using your hands, thoroughly combine all of the ingredients together ensuring that you do not overmix the mixture.
6. Portion out the meatball mixture to form equal-sized balls and place them on a prepared baking sheet. You can use an ice cream scoop, cookie scoop, or melon baller to help make this easier — choose which to use based on the amount of mixture you need to make the size of meatballs you prefer.
7. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for the meatballs to briefly chill.
8. When ready to smoke, transfer the meatballs from the baking sheet to a wire rack or meatball griller.
9. Place the meatballs in the preheated smoker and allow them to cook until they reach the initial desired temperature.
10. Then, turn the smoker up and allow them to continue cooking until they reach the desired final internal temperature.
11. After removing them from the smoker, allow the cooked meatballs to rest briefly. Create a foil tent over top until ready to serve.

BBQ Sauce Option

You can add a glazed bbq sauce to meatballs easily.

After smoking, take meatballs off of the wire rack or griller and place them in a disposable foil pan, metal braising pan, or cast iron skillet.

1. If you want these coated in a glazed bbq sauce to serve as an appetizer, transfer the meatballs to a disposable foil pan, metal braising pan or a cast iron skillet
2. Pour the bbq sauce of your choice over the meatballs. 
3. Stir the meatballs in the pan to ensure that they are covered with the sauce. 
4. Then, place the meatballs back in the smoker briefly until the sauce is heated.

What to Serve With Smoked Meatballs

You can serve these smoky meatballs in any dish you would normally serve them with, or try something new.

• Pasta – Toss these with spaghetti noodles and sauce for upgraded spaghetti and meatballs. Serve alongside a thick slice of garlic bread.
• Marinara sauce – Pour tomato sauce over a bowl of the meatballs and sprinkle with parmesan cheese for a low-carb dinner. Just be sure to use a low-sugar sauce. You can make my keto marinara, which is so delicious.
• Glazed meatballs – Make a dish like Cranberry BBQ Meatballs to serve as an appetizer on game day or for parties.
• Meatball sandwich – Grab some sub rolls and elevate your meatball subs with this smoky version. You can smoke the marinara sauce, too.
• Starches – Serve these over rice or mashed potatoes with a sauce of your choice. To go lower carb, try riced or mashed cauliflower.
• Bacon – Make these meatballs the ultimate appetizer by wrapping a piece of bacon (cooked) around each one and securing it with a toothpick. Alternatively, you can wrap uncooked bacon around the meatball before smoking.

Why You Should Make This Recipe

• Easy – Simple ingredients and very little prep time make these meatballs as perfect for parties as they are for a weeknight dinner.
• Customizable – There are plenty of ways you can make the meatballs themselves in your own signature way but you can also use a wide variety of sauces with them, too.
• Quick cleanup – Since you’re using so few supplies, cleanup is incredibly easy.

Variations and Add-ins

This standard meatball recipe can be switched up however you like. 

• Low carb – Use your favorite alternative bread crumbs instead of bread.
• Meat – Try using ground beef, ground chicken, or Italian sausage instead. Or try a combination of pork and another meat.
• Powder – If you don’t have onions handy, try substituting onion powder. 
• Garlic – Add minced garlic or garlic powder.
• Seasoning – Make sure you keep the Italian seasoning, whether you’re using a dried version or fresh herbs, but try adding other ingredients like marjoram, cumin, or nutmeg.
• Cheese – Wrap the ground meat around cubes of cheddar or your cheese of choice for delicious cheese-filled meatballs.
• Onion – Instead of a white or yellow onion try adding finely chopped green onion to the meat.
• Spices – Heat up these meatballs with the addition of crushed red pepper flakes, chili powder, or a dash of hot sauce.

More Great Appetizers Made on the Smoker

Smoked Olives

Traeger Smoked Queso Dip

Smoked Cream Cheese

Pellet Grill Chicken Wings

Smoked Little Smokies

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If you love this easy Smoked Meatballs recipe, you’re going to love these other meatball recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

Other Smoked Meats

Shrimp

Boneless Leg of Lamb

Venison Roast

Chicken Thighs

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