Description
Traeger smoked grape jelly meatballs combine classic comfort with smoky barbecue charm. Guests will devour these tender, glazed bites packed with sweet and savory flavors that make backyard gatherings memorable.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 lb (454 g) ground pork
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ¾ cup plain breadcrumbs
- 12 oz (340 g) grape jelly
- 12 oz (340 g) chili sauce (such as Heinz)
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat Traeger grill to 225°F, selecting premium wood pellets like hickory, cherry, or apple for an enhanced smoky flavor profile.
- Meatball Formation: Craft uniform meatballs with consistent size, ensuring even cooking and optimal smoke penetration.
- Initial Smoking Phase: Carefully arrange meatballs on the grill grate, allowing ample space for smoke circulation, and close the lid to create a sealed smoking environment.
- Flavor Development: Smoke meatballs for 60-75 minutes, carefully monitoring internal temperature to achieve perfect doneness without compromising moisture.
- Glaze Creation: Simultaneously prepare a vibrant grape jelly glaze by combining grape jelly, barbecue sauce, and optional complementary spices for a rich, tangy coating.
- Glazing Process: Once meatballs reach safe internal temperature, liberally brush with the prepared glaze, creating a glossy, caramelized exterior.
- Final Smoking: Return glazed meatballs to the smoker for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing the sauce to set and intensify the overall flavor complexity.
- Serving: Remove from Traeger, let rest briefly to redistribute juices, then serve these succulent, smoky meatballs with their irresistible glazed finish.
Notes
- Choose Consistent Meatballs: Ensure uniform size and shape for even smoking and balanced cooking throughout the batch.
- Select Premium Wood Pellets: Opt for hickory, cherry, or apple to enhance the meatballs with complex, rich smoky undertones that complement the grape jelly glaze.
- Monitor Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, preventing dryness while ensuring safe cooking temperatures for meat.
- Glaze with Precision: Apply grape jelly sauce generously but carefully, allowing a brief return to smoker for caramelization without burning the delicate exterior.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg