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Nothing says summer like a barbecue! Whether it’s a family gathering, a birthday party, or an office event, barbecues bring people together to enjoy some of the best seasonal flavors. Today, I’m adding a new favorite to my collection of keto-friendly BBQ recipes: BBQ Beef Meatballs with Chorizo. This dish combines juicy beef meatballs and flavorful slices of Spanish chorizo, grilled to perfection. Served with a simple Chopped Vegetable Salad or Keto Bread Rolls, this recipe is sure to be a hit at your next cookout!
Why You’ll Love These BBQ Beef Meatballs
- Gluten-Free & Keto-Friendly: Ideal for a healthy low-carb diet.
- Quick to Prepare: Ready in just 20 minutes.
- Flavorful: Juicy beef and smoky chorizo.
- Perfect for BBQs: Great for summer gatherings.
- Versatile: Can be paired with various keto sides.
Spanish chorizo is made with cured pork and seasoned with smoked paprika, giving it a firm texture and smoky flavor, perfect for slicing. Mexican chorizo, on the other hand, is made with raw pork and a variety of spices, including chili peppers, resulting in a spicier flavor and softer texture that requires cooking before eating.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Heads up: For exact measurements, see the recipe card below.
Making this recipe is simple—you only need a few ingredients:
- Ground Beef: Provides the base for juicy meatballs.
- Red Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and texture.Red onion is preferable but white or brown onions will work too.
- Garlic: Excellent option in meatballs. Dried garlic granules or powder can be used instead.
- Egg: Helps bind the meatballs together.
- Paprika: Adds a sweetness and color.
- Fresh Oregano: Provides a fragrant, earthy flavor. Use dried if fresh is unavailable.
- Fresh Basil: Adds a sweet, aromatic taste. Dried basil works too.
- Lemon Zest: Brightens the dish with a fresh, citrusy note.
- Sea Salt: Always use as much as you like.
- Spanish Chorizo: Adds a smoky, spicy flavor. Use any hard-type chorizo if preferred.
Yes! You can substitute ground beef with ground pork, turkey, or chicken for a different flavor profile. Each type of meat will bring its unique taste and texture.
Absolutely! You can use Mexican chorizo. Simply mix it directly into the meat mixture instead of using it in slices. This will give the meatballs an extra kick of flavor.
You can experiment with different spice and herb combinations to suit your taste. You can try dried oregano, basil, and thyme for Italian flavors. Add cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and chili powder for a spicy kick. Finally, try a combination of fresh cilantro, lime zest and garlic.
How To Make BBQ Beef Meatballs
Prepare the Meat Mixture. Peel and finely dice the red onion. Place the ground beef in a mixing bowl and add the diced onion, crushed garlic, fresh lemon zest, freshly chopped herbs, paprika, egg, and sea salt.
Combine the Ingredients. Using your hands or a fork, mix all the ingredients until well combined. If preparing in advance, cover the bowl with foil and refrigerate the mixture overnight.
Form the Meatballs. When ready to cook, slice the chorizo sausage. Form the meat mixture into 24 meatballs, about 30 grams (1 ounce) each.
Assemble the Skewers. Thread the meatballs and chorizo slices onto skewers, alternating between 3 meatballs and 4 chorizo slices per skewer.
Cook the Skewers. Place the skewers on a preheated barbecue and cook on high for 7-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meatballs are crispy on the outside and cooked through.
Tips for Best BBQ Beef Meatballs
Here are a few tips to ensure your BBQ Beef Meatballs with Chorizo turn out perfectly:
- Use Fresh Herbs: For the best flavor, use fresh herbs like oregano and basil. If using dried herbs, reduce the quantity by about one-third.
- Rest the Meat: After mixing the meatball ingredients, let the mixture rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) to allow the flavors to meld and the meat to firm up.
- Keep Wooden Skewers Moist: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the meatballs and chorizo to prevent them from burning on the grill.
- Even Cooking: Make sure the meatballs are of uniform size to ensure even cooking. This helps avoid some meatballs being undercooked while others are overcooked.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Grilling is not the only way to enjoy these BBQ Beef Meatballs with Chorizo; here are three alternative cooking methods you can try:
- Griddle Pan: Preheat a large regular or griddle pan greased with lard or ghee on high heat. Turn the heat down to medium and place the skewers on the pan. Cook, turning occasionally, until the meatballs are crispy and cooked inside. Keep them warm near the cooker if necessary.
- Oven Baking: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) for a fan oven or 220°C (425°F) for a conventional oven. Place the skewers on a baking tray and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden and cooked through.
- Oven Broiling: Preheat your broiler and place the skewers on a baking tray. Broil for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through, until the meatballs are golden and cooked through.
- Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Place the skewers in the basket and cook for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until the meatballs are browned and cooked through.
Storage Instructions
Store the cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Yes! Freeze the cooked meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
In the oven, preheat to 180°C (350°F) for a fan (convection) oven or 200°C (400°F) for a conventional oven. Place meatballs on a baking tray, cover with foil, and heat for 10-15 minutes. In the microwave, place on a microwave-safe plate, cover, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. In the air fryer, preheat to 160°C (320°F) and heat the meatballs for 5-7 minutes.
How to Serve BBQ Beef Meatballs
These BBQ Beef Meatballs with Chorizo are incredibly versatile and can be served in various delicious ways:
- With Summer Salad: Pair the meatballs with a fresh Chopped Vegetable Salad with a Lemon Garlic Dressing. This adds a light and tangy contrast to the rich, smoky flavors of the meatballs.
- With Keto Bread: Serve the meatballs in keto-friendly buns for a satisfying low-carb sandwich. Add your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomato, and avocado for extra flavor and texture.
- As Appetizers: Serve the skewers as appetizers at your next gathering. They make for a great finger food option that’s sure to impress your guests.
- With Dipping Sauces: Offer a variety of keto-friendly dipping sauces such as garlic aioli, spicy mayo, or a tangy BBQ sauce to enhance the flavors. They will also go well with some Pepita Guacamole.
- On a Bed of Greens: Create a hearty salad by placing the meatballs on a bed of mixed greens, topped with sliced chorizo and your favorite low-carb vegetables.
Tools for BBQ Beef Meatballs
- Skewers: Essential for assembling the meatballs and chorizo. You can use either wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning) or metal skewers.
- Griddle Pan: Needed if you choose the griddle pan cooking method. A large regular or griddle pan greased with lard or ghee works best.
BBQ Beef Meatballs with Chorizo
Ingredients
- 1.3 lbs ground beef
- ½ medium red onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano (or 1 tsp dried oregano)
- 2 tbsp fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried basil)
- 1 tsp fresh lemon zest (organic, unwaxed)
- ½ tsp sea salt (or to taste)
- 200 g Spanish chorizo (or other hard type of sausage)
Instructions
- Peel and finely dice the red onion. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, diced onion, crushed garlic, lemon zest, chopped herbs (oregano and basil), paprika, egg, and sea salt. Mix well using your hands or a fork.
- Shape the meat mixture into 24 small meatballs, about 30 grams (1 ounce) each.
- Cut the Spanish chorizo into thin slices.
- Thread the meatballs and chorizo slices onto skewers, alternating between 3 meatballs and 4 chorizo slices per skewer.
- Place the skewers on a preheated barbecue and cook on high for 7-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meatballs are crispy on the outside and cooked through.
Nutrition
Notes
- Serving Size: 2 skewers.
- Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Griddle Pan: Preheat a greased pan on high heat, reduce to medium, and cook skewers until crispy and cooked through.
- Oven Baking: Preheat to 200°C (400°F) fan or 220°C (425°F) conventional. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.
- Broiling: Preheat broiler to 500°F (260°C). Broil skewers for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway.
- Air Fryer: Preheat to 180°C (350°F). Cook skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway.
These meatballs look so yummy and easy to make! You think this could be just as tasty with ground turkey?
I don’t see why not! 🙂
Yum, these meatballs look amazing! Have you tried using Mexican chorizo? 😊
Great idea, Mexican chorizo is a great option although it wouldn’t work exactly the same way as it’s soft. You could just add it to the beef mixture.
I made these last weekend and they turned out perfect! The combo of smoky chorizo and juicy meatballs is really good. Perfect for a family BBQ! 😊
Thanks Tim, so true!
These meatballs are incredible! Such a great hit at our BBQ—easy to make, juicy, and packed with flavor.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed 🙂