Pioneer Woman BBQ meatball subs are easy, cheesy sandwiches made with broiled beef meatballs in a five-minute homemade BBQ sauce, ready in just 35 minutes. That makes them a go-to for weeknight dinners, game day spreads or summer cookouts, since everything comes together on one pan.
The make-or-break step is using quick-cooking oats as the binder, since they absorb the milk and keep each meatball tender. Skip the oats and the meatballs dry out fast under the broiler.
What separates this recipe is the homemade BBQ sauce built from ketchup, vinegar and Worcestershire, which coats better than any bottle. Broiling the meatballs instead of pan-frying also means less mess and a nice char on the outside.
Pioneer Woman BBQ Meatball Subs
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings20
minutes15
minutes841
kcalBroiled beef meatballs with a crispy char and oat-tender center get tossed in a tangy homemade BBQ sauce, then stuffed into cheesy hero rolls.
Ingredients
- For the Meatballs:
Cooking spray
1 1/2 lb. ground beef
3/4 c. quick-cooking oats
1/2 c. milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 small onion, minced
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Black pepper, to taste
- For the BBQ Sauce:
1 tbsp. salted butter
1 c. ketchup
3 tbsp. distilled white vinegar
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Dash of hot sauce
- For the Subs:
6 hero rolls, split
12 slices cheddar cheese
Pickle slices and potato chips, for serving
Directions
- Prep the meatball mixture: Preheat the broiler, then line a baking sheet with foil and coat it with cooking spray. Mix the beef, oats, milk, egg, onion, salt and pepper in a medium bowl with your hands, then roll into 18 meatballs using about 1/4 cup each and arrange them on the baking sheet.
- Broil the meatballs: Place the baking sheet under the broiler and cook for 6 minutes, then flip each meatball and broil until browned and firm to the touch, about 5 more minutes.
- Build the sauce: While the meatballs broil, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the onion and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
- Simmer the sauce: Stir in the ketchup, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce, then bring to a simmer and cook until bubbling and thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Coat the meatballs: Add the broiled meatballs to the skillet and toss them in the sauce to coat, then keep warm over low heat while you prep the rolls.
- Assemble the subs: Remove the foil from the baking sheet and place the hero rolls on the pan, then lay 2 slices of cheddar in the center of each roll and broil until the cheese melts, about 1 to 2 minutes. Fill each roll with meatballs and extra sauce, then top with a few pickle slices and serve with potato chips on the side.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef for these meatball subs?
Ground turkey works fine here, but the meatballs will be lighter in flavor since turkey has less fat. Add an extra tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce to the mixture to make up for it, and keep an eye on them under the broiler because turkey dries out faster than beef.
How long do BBQ meatball subs keep in the fridge?
The meatballs and sauce store well in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, then assemble fresh subs with new rolls since the bread gets soggy if you store them already built.
Can I make the meatballs and sauce ahead of time?
You can roll the meatballs and refrigerate them on the baking sheet up to a day before broiling. The sauce also keeps for 3 days in the fridge, so you can prep both components on Sunday and just broil and assemble on a busy weeknight.
What if I don’t have a broiler?
Bake the meatballs at 425 degrees for about 15 to 18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are browned and cooked through. They won’t get the same char as broiling, but the BBQ sauce covers them so well that the texture difference is small.
Why are my meatballs falling apart on the baking sheet?
The most common reason is skipping the oats or not mixing the egg into the meat thoroughly, since both act as binders that hold everything together. Make sure you combine the mixture until the oats are evenly distributed, and let the rolled meatballs sit on the baking sheet for a few minutes before broiling so they firm up.
