Bacon wrapped BBQ Meatballs

By Ray Sheehan

BBQ Buddha

[email protected]

Photo courtesy of Ray Sheehan

Ingredients

1lb ground beef 80-20

1 lb ground pork sausage

1lb bacon

2 lg. eggs

1 ½ C. bread crumbs

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp. Italian seasoning

2 tsp. onion powder

8 oz. block sharp cheddar cheese (cut in 1-inch cubes)

1 ½ C. BBQ sauce (your favorite)

¼ C.  Basic All-purpose BBQ rub

For the Rub:

2T Kosher salt

2T white sugar

2T brown sugar

2T cumin

2T chili powder

2T black pepper

1T cayenne pepper

¼ C paprika

Instructions

Mix all rub ingredients together in a bowl. Combine thoroughly. Set aside. For the Meatballs: Place ground beef, sausage, eggs, bread crumbs, garlic, Italian seasoning, and onion powder in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly to combine. Form meat into approximately 28 equal sized balls. Using your finger press a hole into the center of each ball and insert a cheese cube. Pinch the ball shut and reshape to form back into a ball. Cut the bacon in half and wrap each meatball with half of a slice. Sprinkle a light even layer of the rub onto each of the meatballs.

Next, place each meatball seam side down, about an inch apart on a foil lined pan fitted with a cookie rack. These can be done on the grill (indirect) or in the oven 350 degrees. After about 20 minutes glaze with the BBQ sauce and place back on the cooker for another 10 minutes or until you reach 160 degrees internal temperature. Let rest for 5 minutes. Serve as a snack or appetizer. Enjoy!