Australian BBQ Meatballs
A savory and tangy dish combining dense ground beef meatballs with a unique sauce featuring curry powder, instant coffee, and Worcestershire. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Equipment
- 1 Baking Dish Greased with oil or spray
- 1 Mixing Bowls For meatballs and sauce prep
- 1 Saucepan For cooking the sauce
- 1 Oven Preheated to 375°F (190°C)
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef Lean
- 1/2 cup Bread Crumbs
- 2 small Onions Chopped
- 1 tablespoon Curry Powder
- 1 tablespoon Dried Italian Seasoning
- 1 Egg Beaten
- 1 clove Garlic Minced
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Margarine
- 2 small Onions Chopped
- 3/4 cup Ketchup
- 1/2 cup Beef Stock
- 1/4 cup Steak Sauce
- 1/2 cup Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 tablespoons White Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Instant Coffee Granules
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar Packed
- 3 tablespoons Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish with oil or cooking spray.
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, bread crumbs, chopped onions, curry powder, Italian seasoning, egg, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Gradually add milk and mix until cohesive. Form into meatballs (~1.5-inch diameter). Place in baking dish.
- Bake meatballs for 30 minutes until cooked through and slightly browned.
- In a saucepan, melt margarine. Add chopped onions and cook until golden (~5–7 mins). Stir in ketchup, beef stock, steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, coffee granules, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then simmer.
- Remove meatballs from oven and drain excess grease. Pour sauce over meatballs and bake again for 30 minutes.
- Let cool and rest for enhanced flavor. Reheat at 200°F (93°C) for 15 minutes before serving.
- Serve hot with extra sauce spooned over.
Notes
- Serving Ideas: Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans, roasted root veggies and damper, spaghetti, or as party appetizers with toothpicks.
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Variations:
- Add chili powder for spice
- Skip coffee and sub 1 tsp soy sauce
- Grill meatballs instead of second bake for char flavor
- Use more brown sugar for a sweeter sauce
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Tips:
- Choose lean beef (80/20 or 85/15).
- Use fresh spices and refrigerate lemon juice.
- Coffee adds umami — use sparingly or omit if preferred.
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Drink Pairings:
- Non-Alcoholic: Ginger beer, iced tea, sparkling apple juice
- Alcoholic: Lager, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, or a Dark & Stormy cocktail
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Best Time to Enjoy:
- Ideal for dinner or cozy winter meals. Great reheated the next day for lunch.