Smoked Italian Meatballs

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef (85/15 meat:fat ratio)
• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 1 Tablespoon red wine
• 1 Tablespoon Kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the smoker. Set your smoker to 325 degrees F. You want the lower temp to lock in the texture.

2. 2

   Form the meatballs. Mix everything together in a large bowl, then form into balls. Place the meatballs on baking sheet.

3. 3

   Smoke the meatballs. Place the baking sheet on the smoker grates, then close the lid and smoke for 45-60 minutes, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

4. 4

   Pan-fry the meatballs. Once your meatballs have cooked through, give them a quick fry in a cast iron skillet or pan. Give the meatballs 1-2 minutes to crisp, rotating regularly. This step is optional, but it will give the meatballs a nice, crunchy exterior.

5. 5

   Rest, serve, and enjoy! Remove the meatballs to a serving platter, then rest for a few minutes so you don’t burn your mouth. Top with your favorite tomato sauce and shredded Parmesan cheese, or enjoy them as-is.