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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
