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    Home » Blog » Side Dishes

    What to Serve with BBQ Meatballs

    Published: Mar 29, 2023 · Modified: Jun 21, 2023 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    Are you wondering what to serve with BBQ meatballs you're planning on making this weekend for the family or party? Read on, because we have the answer in the form of some delicious recipes.

    BBQ meatballs are one of the most classic appetizer and main dish recipes out there. If you think about it, you've probably had them dozens and dozens of times in your life, and you also probably loved them.

    Recipes like this are great, but they do need something to go along with them to add variety to the flavors. That's where these delicious recipes come in.

    What are BBQ meatballs?

    They're a dish of beef, pork, or a combination of both. The meat is combined with various ingredients like breadcrumbs and egg to hold them together, then they're usually pan-fried and then baked until cooked through and slathered in BBQ sauce.

    These days, you can find a wide variety of meatballs in the frozen section of the grocery store. The best part is that they're pre-cooked so all you have to do is heat them up.

    How healthy are they?

    Unlike many other appetizers, meatballs aren't actually terrible for you. They're high in calories, for sure, but on the whole, they're decently healthy.

    Meatballs are full of protein, and if they're made with grass-fed beef, healthy fats, too. The fillers are breadcrumbs and egg, both of which aren't terribly bad for you.

    Meatballs are the kind of food that you can enjoy two or three times a week and not have to worry about adverse health impacts. You can just bask in their deliciousness.

    How do you prepare BBQ meatballs?

    If you're making homemade meatballs, the first step is to combine the meatball ingredients and form them into balls. Then, you'll pan-fry them until they have a nice crust on the outside. After that, bake them until they're cooked through and then coat them in BBQ sauce.

    If you're using frozen meatballs, the most popular method is to throw them in the slow cooker along with BBQ sauce and cook until heated through. You don't even have to defrost them!

    What drinks go well with them?

    When thinking about what to serve with BBQ meatballs, you can't forget drinks. BBQ has a few alcoholic and non-alcoholic pairing options available. These drinks can be found at just about every gathering that involves BBQ sauce, making them go-to options for BBQ meatballs.

    • Beer
    • Bourbon
    • Whiskey
    • Red wine
    • Rose
    • Pop
    • Tea
    • Lemonade

    How to Make BBQ Meatballs Even Better

    If you're making homemade BBQ meatballs, you can make them more interesting in a variety of ways. Rather than just throwing together some meat and filler, try adding flavor with:

    • Diced jalapenos
    • Shredded cheese
    • Red pepper flakes
    • Diced fruit (Fruit and BBQ are fantastic together)
    • Italian breadcrumbs rather than plain

    If you're making BBQ meatballs with frozen meatballs, then switching things up is all about the sauce and what you put into it.

    • Try different varieties of BBQ sauce for varying flavors.
    • Make your own homemade BBQ sauce.
    • Add hot sauce to the BBQ sauce for a kick of heat.
    • Add a dash of whiskey to the sauce.

    What to Serve with BBQ Meatballs

    There are all kinds of pairing options for you to try here. From muffins and mac and cheese to mashed potato casserole and even other meatball recipes, you'll find a ton of options to choose from.

    The best part about all of these recipes is that they pair well with both meatballs and BBQ, so all the bases are covered. Read on, but be prepared. You're going to get hungry!

    Savory Corn Muffins with Bacon, Cheese and Onion
    This is it if you're looking for the best corn muffin recipe. Savory corn muffins with bacon, cheese, and onion are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
    Get the Recipe
    Savory corn muffins on a rack cooling.
    BBQ Mac and Cheese
    This bbq mac and cheese is so much better than the boxed version. Made with 3 kinds of cheese, lots of pulled pork, BBQ sauce and then topped with crumbled cornbread. Baked in the oven till bubbly, then served with your favorite salad.
    Get the Recipe
    A close up spoonful of mac and cheese.
    Homemade Soft Fluffy Dinner Rolls
    These Homemade Soft Fluffy Dinner Rolls are my grandma's yeast or crusty bread roll recipe, and the best super soft, light, dinner rolls ever!
    Get the Recipe
    Homemade Soft Fluffy Dinner Rolls
    Cheesecake Factory’s Brown Bread
    Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread is a tasty bread that goes well with any main dish. Spread a little honey butter over a slice and it just might become a family favorite side.
    Get the Recipe
    Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread
    BBQ Chicken Stromboli
    This BBQ chicken stromboli recipe is easy and delicious. A few minutes of prep is all it takes for this semi-homemade stromboli recipe.
    Get the Recipe
    Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole
    This sliced potato casserole is made with layers of real potatoes, bacon, onions, and cheese for the best comfort food ever! Perfect for any occasion, it's one recipe you'll keep coming back to again and again.
    Get the Recipe
    Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole with Sliced Potatoes on the table.
    Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
    These buffalo chicken meatballs are big on flavor, not on work. Make these tasty buffalo chicken meatballs in the slow cooker! It's easy!
    Get the Recipe
    Fabulous Green Bean Stir-Fry
    Our Fabulous Green Bean Stir-Fry is full of green beans, carrots, sugar snap peas and onions combined in a light, flavorful sauce!  Perfect for any occasion!
    Sweet Onion Sage Bread Recipe
    This sweet onion sage bread recipe has a flavor reminiscent of stuffing. It's a savory bread full of flavor, and it's so easy to make!
    Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole
    This is by far the BEST Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole! Creamy mashed potatoes combine with sour cream, butter and cheese to make the base of the dish and then add on plenty of toppings. It's the perfect potato casserole for holidays, lazy weekends, or any time you need an easy, yet delicious potato side dish.
    Get the Recipe
    A spoonful of loaded mashed potato casserole up over a plate with more.
    Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar
    Warning: these green beans can be addictive! Made with bacon, brown sugar, onion, garlic, soy sauce and simmered in broth for hours, you can easily see why.
    Get the Recipe
    Italian Cheese Bread (Quick Bread Recipe)
    This Italian Cheese Bread recipe is the Best Bread for Grilled Cheese and tastes similar to Cheddar Bay Biscuits from Red Lobster but in loaf form. It is a quick bread recipe and the perfect addition to any meal. Just wait until you try it.
    Get the Recipe
    Baked Garlic Butter Carrots
    Garlic Butter Carrots are easy and delicious, roasted at 350 degrees, cut or sliced in your favorite shape or using baby carrots, this dish doesn't disappoint. 
    Get the Recipe
    A white bowl with a serving of garlic butter carrots in it.
    Easy Sauteed Spinach and Carrots
    Healthy Sauteed Spinach and Carrots is full of flavor. This sauteed or fried spinach and mushroom recipe can also include onions, garlic, tomatoes and more!
    Get the Recipe
    Plate of sauteed spinach and carrots on the table.
    Smoked Honey Glazed Carrots
    These smoked carrots with honey glaze are perfect with almost any main dish. This smoked carrots recipe is so easy and so good. Try it!
    Get the Recipe
    Grandma's Coleslaw
    Grandma's Coleslaw is fresh and flavorful. This perfectly creamy side dish is perfect for your next bbq or potluck.
    Get the Recipe
    Oven Baked Sliced Potato (aka Potato Blossom)
    This Easy Oven Baked Sliced Potato (aka Potato Blossom) recipe shows how to bake the best crispy oven roasted potatoes with cheese and more!
    Get the Recipe
    Potato Blossom
    Broccoli Cornbread with Cheese
    This Broccoli Cornbread recipe takes classic cornbread up a notch. Broccoli cornbread with cheese is a favorite Southern side that goes with practically anything. The addition of broccoli and Cheddar helps make this cornbread incredibly savory, moist, and oh-so-delicious.
    Get the Recipe
    Broccoli cornbread with cheese in pan being lifted out.
    Easy Roasted Carrots, Potatoes, and Onions
    Roasted Carrots, Potatoes, and Onions is a time-saving, weeknight meal option that's absolutely delicious! This simple side dish goes well with a variety of proteins including chicken, beef, or fish, giving you so much flexibility. Toss in lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and herbs, and you've got a side dish that's a cut above the rest!
    Get the Recipe
    Roasted carrots and potatoes in a bowl with green herbs on top.
    Awesome Cheesy Twice Baked Potato Boats
    Awesome Cheesy Twice Baked Potato Boats are cheesy, creamy, filled with bacon or ground sausage and diced onions. And that's just the start. With the option of adding more delicious ingredients, you can create the perfect stuffed potato just for you!
    Get the Recipe
    Awesome Cheesy Twice Baked Potato Boats.
    Jalapeno Coleslaw
    This Jalapeno Coleslaw recipe is easy to follow and simple to make. Spicy and crunchy, it's the ideal summer dish for potlucks and outdoor family gatherings. . 
    Get the Recipe
    Jalapeno Coleslaw on plate with hamburger.
    Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer
    Air fryer frozen sweet potato fries always come out perfectly. Golden and crispy on the outside and tender and fluffy on the inside.
    Get the Recipe
    Crispy frozen sweet potato fries on a tray.
    Smoked Barbecued Baked Beans
    These smoked BBQ beans are loaded with delicious flavor. These smoked BBQ baked beans are completely from scratch but so easy to make.
    Get the Recipe

    From muffins and cornbread to baked beans and casseroles and everything in between, this list of delicious recipes absolutely gives you the answer to what to serve with BBQ meatballs.

    Give any or all of these recipes a try, and you'll have one serious feast on your hands. You just can beat these flavor combinations!

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    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

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