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Barbecued Meatballs Ii
CrockpotDinnerHealthy Eating

Barbecued Meatballs Ii

Stewart Lucas
By Stewart Lucas, Chief Culinary Specialist
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel Evans, RDN, LDNPublished: September 1, 2024Last Updated: June 15, 2026
30 mins
Easy
4 Servings
★★★★★ 4.7 (47 reviews)
Quick Summary Answer
⏱️ 4 min read read📅 Updated: June 15, 2026

This chef-curated Barbecued Meatballs Ii offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

Key Takeaways

  • ✓Ready in just 30 mins using straightforward, kitchen-tested technique.
  • ✓Delivers 37g of muscle-fueling protein per serving for lasting satiety.
  • ✓Portion-balanced at 488 calories per serving with wholesome, unrefined ingredients.
  • ✓Masterclass temperature checkpoints ensure maximum tenderness and flavor development.

The Story

This chef-curated Barbecued Meatballs Ii offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

Culinary Heritage & Chef's Notes

In the NutriGuide test kitchen, Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas refined this classic Barbecued Meatballs Ii to celebrate vibrant, wholesome ingredients. By prioritizing aromatic layering and precise thermal control, this recipe achieves remarkable culinary depth while preserving natural micronutrients and wholesome texture.

At NutriGuide, our mission is to ensure that home cooking is both accessible and culinary-grade. When executing Barbecued Meatballs Ii, focus on fresh aromatics, dry surface contact for proper searing, and allowing the food to rest before serving.

Ingredients & Measurements

  • * 2 pounds ground beef
  • * 1 cup bread crumbs
  • * 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • * 2 packages onion soup mix
  • * 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • * 2 eggs
  • Sauce:
  • * 2 onions, chopped
  • * 2 cans tomato paste (12 ounces total)
  • * 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • * 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • * 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • * 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • * 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
  • * 1/2 cup beef broth
  • * 2 teaspoons salt
  • * 2 teaspoons dry mustard

Chef's Sourcing & Quality Tips:

  • Produce & Aromatics: Always use fresh whole aromatics and seasonal herbs rather than dehydrated powders when possible.
  • Cooking Oils: Utilize cold-pressed oils with appropriate smoke points such as extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
  • Salt & Seasoning: Season from a modest height above the pan to ensure an even, uniform crystalline dispersion.

Step-by-Step Culinary Masterclass

Follow these sequential steps with careful attention to sensory cues and cooking temperatures:

Step 1: Technique & Execution

Combine first 6 ingredients and mix well

Step 2: Technique & Execution

Shape into meatballs and brown in a skillet with 1 tablespoon of oil

Step 3: Technique & Execution

Drain on paper towels

Step 4: Technique & Execution

Add all sauce ingredients to Crock Pot and stir well

Step 5: Technique & Execution

Add meatballs and cook, covered, on low for 5 to 6 hours (high for 2 to 3)

Step 6: Technique & Execution

Serve from the Crock Pot

Chef's Pro Tips & Variations

Nutritional Profile per Serving

MetricAmountDietary Benefit
Calories488 kcalControlled caloric load for steady metabolic burn
Protein37gHigh-biological-value protein for tissue maintenance
Carbohydrates37gComplex, slow-digesting dietary fiber
Fat12gWholesome dietary lipids for micronutrient absorption

Barbecued Meatballs Ii

This chef-curated Barbecued Meatballs Ii offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

★★★★★4.7 from 47 votes
Barbecued Meatballs Ii
CourseDinner
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time50 mins
Servings4
AuthorStewart Lucas

Macro Nutrition Profile (Per Serving)

Calories24% DV
488 kcal
Protein74% DV
37g
Fat15% DV
12g
Carbs13% DV
37g
Scale Ingredients

Ingredients

Sauce

Ingredient Substitutions

Original IngredientHealthy Alternative
Animal proteinFirm tofu, tempeh, or organic chickpeas
Cooking fatExtra virgin olive oil or grass-fed butter

Instructions

1

Technique & Execution: Combine first 6 ingredients and mix well

2

Technique & Execution: Shape into meatballs and brown in a skillet with 1 tablespoon of oil

3

Technique & Execution: Drain on paper towels

4

Technique & Execution: Add all sauce ingredients to Crock Pot and stir well

5

Technique & Execution: Add meatballs and cook, covered, on low for 5 to 6 hours (high for 2 to 3)

6

Technique & Execution: Serve from the Crock Pot

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it turned out! Click a star below to leave a review and rate the recipe.

Storage & Freezing Tips

  • Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep the components separate if possible to preserve texture.
  • Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet on medium-low heat with a splash of olive oil or butter.
  • Freezing: Freezing is not recommended for this dish because ingredients like eggs become soggy, rubbery, or mushy when defrosted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this recipe be prepared ahead of time?▼

Yes, this meal is excellent for weekly meal prep. Store components separately and assemble before serving.

Is this recipe gluten-free?▼

All ingredients used are naturally gluten-free. If you are highly sensitive, verify that packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Tried this recipe?

Tag @stewartlucas on Instagram and hashtag it #nutriguide!

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Stewart Lucas

Stewart Lucas

Chief Culinary Specialist

Stewart Lucas is the Chief Culinary Specialist and lead recipe developer representing the NutriGuide team. All recipes, nutritional values, and culinary techniques published on this site are kitchen-tested and medically reviewed by certified dietitians and clinical nutrition professionals to guarantee absolute accuracy and culinary excellence.

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