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Meatballs in Molasses BBQ Sauce from the new Jubilee Cookbook

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This meatballs in molasses BBQ sauce recipe is scrump-TIOUS, and what I really like about it (other than the taste) is the fact it’s from a new cookbook that’s unlike anything else I have on my shelf.

meatballs with molasses BBQ sauce - Jubilee cookbook

Thank you to Clarkson Potter for providing me with a review copy.

It’s called Jubilee: Recipes From Two Centuries of African American Cooking by Toni Tipton-Martin and it’s a celebration of the African American food story, but it’s not a soul food cookbook. It’s so much more. 

It’s a compilation of stories and more than 100 recipes with techniques, ingredients and dishes that show the roots of African American cooking. There are recipes from enslaved chefs to middle-and upper-class writers and entrepreneurs for a culturally diverse jubilee of flavor.

Meatballs in Molasses BBQ Sauce

I chose the meatballs recipe because I didn’t realize meatballs had ties to African American cooking. In fact, they’re related to “forced steak”, beef cakes, Creole pork balls and North African kofta.

There are stories and little tidbits of history and information posted in the recipe intros and margins, so even when you’re not cooking, it’s a really interesting read!

I started by making the molasses BBQ sauce on the stove by mixing all these wonderful ingredients together.

ingredients for molasses bbq sauce

While it simmered away, I savored the aroma and got started on making the meatballs.

how to make molasses bbq sauce

I mixed together pork, ground beef, panko, egg and spices in a bowl.

meatball ingredients

Then I gently rolled them into tablespoon-sized meatballs and baked them in the oven.

meatballs ready for baking

Finally, I tossed them in a mixture of honey and molasses barbecue sauce and baked them for 10 more minutes to set the glaze.

Then I poured the remaining molasses barbecue sauce over the meatballs in a serving dish and dinner was ready!

Print

Servings 8
Calories 474 kcal
Author Liz

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 cup minced onion
  • 2 teaspoon minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2/3 cup panko crumbs
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 2 cup molasses barbecue sauce
  • 2 tablespoon honey

Molasses Barbecue Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 2 tablespoons minced onion
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 1/3 cups ketchup
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper`
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Instructions

Molasses Barbecue Sauce

  1. In a saucepan, heat the butter until sizzling. Add the garlic and onion and cook over medium-low heat until tender, about 2 minutes.

  2. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes to allow flavors to mingle.

Meatballs

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

  2. In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the beef, pork, onion, garlic, salt, paprika, pepper, panko and egg. Quickly pan-cook or microwave a small bit of the mixture to taste for seasoning and add salt as desired.

  3. Roll the mixture into tablespoon-sized balls and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Drain off liquid.

  4. To serve immediately: increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees. Toss the meatballs with honey and 1 cup of barbecue sauce. Bake for 10 minutes more until barbecue sauce glaze is set. Serve hot.

Recipe Notes

To serve on a buffet: Place the partially cooked balls in a slow cooker with the honey and and enough barbecue sauce to partially cover the meatballs. Simmer on low for up to 3 hours, covered, adding barbecue sauce and honey as needed to keep meatballs moist. 

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving (4 meatballs)
Calories 474 Calories from Fat 252
% Daily Value*
Fat 28g43%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Cholesterol 130mg43%
Sodium 699mg30%
Potassium 678mg19%
Carbohydrates 33g11%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 25g28%
Protein 22g44%
Vitamin A 607IU12%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 72mg7%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Pin this meatballs recipe to Pinterest!

Meatballs in Molasses BBQ Sauce

Pick up a copy of Jubilee: Recipes From Two Centuries of African American Cooking for yourself or for holiday gift-giving.

Love meatballs? Check out this turkey, ham and swiss meatballs recipe too.

easy turkey meatballs recipe from Aureole - Chef Charlie Palmer

About Liz

Liz is a midwestern mom gone southern (accent in transition). She lives in North Carolina and loves cooking, baking, traveling, movies, crafts, hot and cold tea, wine, pizza and the occasional nap. She also revels in the fact she's a crazy cat lady.

Comments

  1. Annemarie LeBlanc says

    This is one dish my family will be raving about. I saved your recipe and will make this soon as I get all the ingredients together. Looks so delicious!

    Reply

  12. Lisa Joy Thompson says

    I love meatballs and these sound delicious! The Molasses BBQ sauce sounds like it would be to-die-for! Totally going to have to check out this cookbook!

    Reply

  13. Janis says

    Those meatballs look really delicious. What a great idea to amp up the flavor with Molasses and BBQ sauce. Bookmarking your recipe to make soon.

    Reply

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