Grilled Utah Cherry Glazed Meatballs

Introduction

Get ready to fire up your Arteflame Grill and experience the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky with these Grilled Utah Cherry Glazed Meatballs. This recipe uses the reverse sear method on the Arteflame grill, locking in juicy flavor with a 1,000F sear before finishing to tender perfection on the flat top cooktop. Glazed with a tangy, rich Utah cherry barbecue sauce, these meatballs are the ultimate backyard gourmet treat—no lid or oven needed. Let’s grill the best meatballs you’ve ever had!

Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 1 lb ground pork
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup whole milk
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for grilling)
• 1 cup Utah cherry BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up your Arteflame Grill

1. Pour vegetable oil on three paper napkins and place them inside the grill.
2. Stack dry firewood on top of the napkins.
3. Light the paper and allow the fire to build up.
4. Wait ~20 minutes until the center grill grate reaches 1,000F and the outer flat cooktop is hot and ready for use.

Step 2: Prepare the meatballs

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, salt, pepper, and parsley.
2. Mix gently until just combined—do not overwork the mixture.
3. Form into 1.5-inch meatballs.

Step 3: Sear the meatballs on the grill grate

1. Place a small amount of butter on the center grill grate.
2. Quickly sear the meatballs over the 1,000F grill grate for about 1 minute per side to develop a flavorful crust and seal in the juices.

Step 4: Cook meatballs to doneness on flat cooktop

1. Move the seared meatballs to the outer flat top cooktop, closer to the center where it's hotter but more controlled.
2. Continue cooking, turning occasionally, until internal temperature hits 150F (remove them now to finish cooking off the grill).
3. Use a digital meat thermometer for accuracy.

Step 5: Glaze with Utah cherry BBQ sauce

1. Brush meatballs generously with Utah cherry BBQ sauce.
2. Return them briefly to the flat top to caramelize the glaze on all sides (about 1 minute).

Step 6: Remove, rest and serve

1. Remove meatballs from the grill once glazed.
2. Let rest 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Tips

• Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking—remove meatballs at 150F and let them rise to 160F off the grill.
• Brush grill surfaces with a bit of butter for a flavorful, golden crust without burning.
• Make the Utah cherry BBQ sauce in advance so it’s ready when meatballs are cooking.
• Grill some sliced buns on the flat top for cherry meatball sliders!
• Use the heat zones to your advantage—hotter near the center, cooler toward the outer edge.

Variations

• Spicy Utah Cherry Meatballs: Add 1 finely diced jalapeño and 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
• Turkey Utah Cherry Meatballs: Substitute ground pork and ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter twist.
• Lamb & Cherry Meatballs: Use ground lamb with a dash of cinnamon and coriander for an earthy flavor that complements cherries.
• Smoky Chipotle Cherry Meatballs: Mix 2 tbsp chopped chipotle in adobo sauce into the BBQ glaze for smoky heat.
• Bourbon Cherry Meatballs: Add 2 tbsp bourbon to the cherry BBQ sauce and simmer before brushing on meatballs.

Best pairings

• Charred corn on the cob with smoked paprika butter
• Grilled asparagus with lemon zest
• Toasted sourdough slices brushed with garlic butter
• Craft root beer or a bold Zinfandel wine
• Utah cherry cobbler for dessert

Conclusion

With your Arteflame Grill and a batch of Grilled Utah Cherry Glazed Meatballs, you're equipped to serve a show-stopping dish right from the fire. The unique flavor from the seared and glazed meatballs, combined with the Utah cherry sauce, elevates this from simple to spectacular. Fire it up, gather around, and get ready to enjoy meatballs like never before—right off the Arteflame.