Introduction

There's nothing quite like the smoky, juicy perfection of bacon-wrapped meatballs grilled over an open flame. These Kansas-style BBQ bacon-wrapped meatballs are seared on the Arteflame grill’s center grate at 1,000°F to lock in the juices, then moved to the flat griddle cooktop to finish cooking to perfection. Glazed with your favorite barbecue sauce, they deliver the perfect combination of smoky, crispy, and savory flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 12 slices bacon
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 2 tbsp butter

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame grill

1. Pour some vegetable oil on three paper napkins.
2. Place the soaked napkins in the grill.
3. Stack firewood over the napkins and light the paper.
4. Let the grill heat up for about 20 minutes until the center grate is searing hot.

Step 2: Prepare the meatballs

1. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, chopped onion, garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Mix until well combined but don’t overmix to avoid tough meatballs.
3. Form into 12 evenly sized meatballs.

Step 3: Wrap with bacon

1. Wrap each meatball with a slice of bacon, securing with a toothpick.

Step 4: Sear the meatballs

1. Place the bacon-wrapped meatballs on the center grill grate.
2. Sear for about 1-2 minutes per side until the bacon is caramelized and crispy.

Step 5: Cook on flat cooktop

1. Move the seared meatballs to the flat griddle cooktop.
2. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 150°F, then remove from heat (carryover cooking will bring them to 165°F).

Step 6: Glaze with BBQ sauce

1. Brush the meatballs generously with barbecue sauce.
2. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips

• Use thick-cut bacon for a meatier bite.
• Make sure the meatballs reach 150°F on the grill; they’ll continue to cook after removing.
• Brushing with BBQ sauce at the end prevents burning.
• Use hickory or oak wood for an authentic smoky flavor.

Variations

1. Spicy Kansas Style: Add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to the meat mixture and use a spicy BBQ sauce.
2. Cheesy Bacon-Wrapped Meatballs: Insert a small cube of cheddar cheese in the center of each meatball before wrapping with bacon.
3. Maple Bourbon Glaze: Mix 1/4 cup maple syrup with 2 tbsp bourbon and brush on the meatballs for a sweet, smoky finish.
4. Italian Style: Swap Worcestershire sauce for balsamic vinegar and use a sun-dried tomato glaze.
5. Jalapeño Wrapped: Add a thin jalapeño slice inside the bacon wrap for a kick of heat.

Conclusion

Kansas-style BBQ bacon-wrapped meatballs cooked on the Arteflame grill deliver smoky, charred perfection. Sear them at 1,000°F, finish cooking on the flat griddle cooktop, and enjoy the most flavorful meatballs you've ever had. Perfect for backyard gatherings or game-day treats!

Best Pairings

• Grilled corn on the cob with butter and salt.
• Sweet and smoky baked beans.
• Coleslaw with a tangy vinegar dressing.
• Freshly baked cornbread.
• A cold Kansas-style craft beer.