Barbecued Southwest Meatballs with Garlic & Lime Avocado Sauce Recipe
These Barbecued Southwest Meatballs are delicious right off the grill, and the sauce is simply divine.
I know. Seems a little odd to barbecue meatballs. But man are they good! That flavor from the grill really amps up the overall deliciousness of this dish.
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Serve with almost any type of side, from veggies to whole grains or pasta. Make a southwestern pasta dish with pasta and extra dressing, or even make a sandwich out of them with a whole grain bun or bread!
These are also wonderful the next day for lunch. Easy to pack up and take with you!
More Healthy Meatball Recipes
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About The Ingredients
Meatballs
Ground turkey – You can also use ground beef if you prefer.
Red bell pepper – Chop this as finely as you can. It will make a difference in the overall texture of the meatballs.
Ground cumin
Chili powder
Garlic – Mince this fine, or press with a garlic press.
Onion powder – Or onion granules.
Sauce
Limes – Just the juice
Honey – Any kind.
Avocado
Cilantro – Stems removed
Garlic powder
Salt – To taste
How To Make Barbecued Southwest Meatballs
Meatballs
In a large mixing bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients, kneading with your hands.
Then mold the meatballs to about the size of a golf ball. Place the meatballs on a hot grill and cook until they reach at least 165 F. on a meat thermometer. Note that this may be a bit easier to do in a grill pan.
Sauce
While the meatballs cook, combine all the sauce ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
When the meatballs are done, serve them with sauce drizzled over the top or in a side dish for dipping.
Storing Barbecued Southwest Meatballs
Store the meatballs separately from the sauce. both the sauce and the meatballs will keep in the fridge for 3 days if stored in an airtight container.
Freezing Barbecued Southwest Meatballs
The sauce cannot be frozen. But the meatballs can. Pack them well and freeze them for up to 4 months.
Reheating Barbecued Southwest Meatballs
From frozen – Thaw completely in the fridge for at least 24 hours.
From fridge – These can be reheated on the grill, in a microwave, or even in an oven.
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Barbecued Southwest Meatballs with Garlic & Lime Avocado Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
Meatball Ingredients
- 2 lbs. ground turkey
- ¾ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1 tbsp. ground cumin
- 1 tbsp. chili powder
- 4 large garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tbsp. onion powder
Sauce Ingredients
- 3 medium limes (juiced)
- 1 tbsp. honey
- 1 small avocado
- 1 sprig cilantro (stems removed)
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- salt to taste
Instructions
Meatballs
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients, kneading with your hands.
- Then mold the meatballs to about the size of a golf ball. Place the meatballs on a hot grill and cook until they reach at least 165 F. on a meat thermometer. Note that this may be a bit easier to do in a grill pan.
Sauce
- While the meatballs cook, combine all the sauce ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- When the meatballs are done, serve them with sauce drizzled over the top or in a side dish for dipping.