Grilled Skewered Meatballs with Spicy Tomato Glaze
Tender meatballs threaded on skewers and grilled to juicy perfection, finished with a smoky, spicy tomato glaze for a quick and crowd-pleasing summer cookout dish. This american-inspired summer cookout ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup milk, 1 large egg, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Step 2: Shape the mixture into 20 small meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches each. Thread 4-5 meatballs onto each of 4 skewers.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium heat (around 375°F). Brush skewers lightly with 2 tbsp olive oil and grill meatballs for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes to brown evenly and cook through.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together 1/3 cup tomato paste, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Cook for 3-4 minutes until thickened and fragrant.
- Step 5: Brush the spicy tomato glaze over the meatballs during the last 2 minutes of grilling and again before serving for a glossy, flavorful finish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Skewered Meatballs with Spicy Tomato Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Skewered Meatballs with Spicy Tomato Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Skewered Meatballs with Spicy Tomato Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Skewered Meatballs with Spicy Tomato Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grilled Skewered Meatballs with Spicy Tomato Glaze?
American summer cookout like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
