BBQ

As a BBQ enthusiast, I can tell you: this is one of those dishes that always disappears before you can even grab it. MOINK Balls are a classic of the American BBQ world. Simple, but executed so well that it becomes addictively delicious.

Recipe

MOINK Balls from the BBQ

This is typically the kind of dish where people say, “Just one more,” and suddenly they’re all gone.

Course	Side dish
Kitchen	American
Servings	± 20 balls

Preparation time

Preparation time	1 hour 30 minutes
Total	1 hour 30 minutes

Equipment

BBQ with lid
Charcoal + optional smoking wood (apple or cherry)
Brush for applying the marinade
Mixing bowl
Skewers (optional)

Ingredients

500 g ground beef
10 slices bacon (halved)
1 egg
2 tbsp breadcrumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika powder
½ tsp chili powder (optional)
Salt and pepper
4 tbsp BBQ sauce
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp brown sugar

MOINK Balls BBQ

Step 1: Make the meat mixture

In a bowl, mix the ground beef with:

egg
breadcrumbs
spices
salt and pepper

Knead briefly. Do not overmix, or the meatballs will become tough.

Form small balls of about 3–4 cm.

💡 Tip: Keep them small. This ensures even cooking and more bacon per bite.

Step 2: Bacon

Wrap each meatball in half a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick if needed.

Step 3: Indirect grilling

Set up your BBQ for 120–130°C indirect heat.

Place the MOINK balls on the grill grate and close the lid. Let them cook slowly.

👉 After about 40 minutes, the bacon will start to crisp nicely.

Step 4: Apply glaze

Mix BBQ sauce, honey, and brown sugar.

Brush the meatballs generously with the glaze during the last 10–15 minutes.

Let them caramelize until sticky and glossy.

Step 5: Serve

Remove from the BBQ and serve immediately.

Perfect as:

party snack
BBQ appetizer
part of a larger grill spread

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Print recipe

Fun fact about Moink balls

The name Moink balls comes from American barbecue culture and is a contraction of the sounds cows ("Moo") and pigs ("Oink") make, referring to beef meatballs wrapped in bacon. The dish originated as a joke around 2008 on the BBQ Brethren forum by Larry Gaian, originally made with frozen meatballs.

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