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Plate of spicy and sweet blackberry chipotle meatballs garnished with cilantro

Blackberry Chipotle Meatballs

Cozy, sweet-spiced meatballs with a smoky twist, perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatball Ingredients
  • 1 lb ground beef (or beef and pork mix)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs Use plain breadcrumbs, not panko for tender meatballs.
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic for bigger flavor.
  • 1/4 cup finely diced onion
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika For warm spice note.
Sauce Ingredients
  • 1 cup blackberry preserves Taste your preserves; adjust sugar if very tart.
  • 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix gently until just combined.
  3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the sheet with a little space between each.
Baking
  1. Bake for 20–25 minutes until they are golden on the edges and no pink remains in the center.
Sauce Preparation
  1. In a small saucepan, combine blackberry preserves, minced chipotle, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and soy sauce.
  2. Stir and bring to a simmer over medium heat, cooking for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Finish
  1. Toss the hot meatballs into the sauce and coat them well. Let them simmer for 1–2 minutes to marry the flavors, and then serve hot.

Notes

Time-saver: Use store-bought blackberry preserves. Common mistake: Overmixing can lead to dense meatballs. For a warmer spice note, swap smoked paprika for cumin.