Description
Tender smoky meatballs in tangy barbecue sauce served over fluffy rice with colorful vegetables and a cool, zesty avocado sauce—perfect for a comforting yet exciting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
1 pound ground beef
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Barbecue Sauce:
2 cups barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade, ensure it contains no alcohol)
For the Avocado Sauce:
2 ripe avocados
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons water (as needed for consistency)
For the Bowl Assembly:
2 cups cooked rice (such as jasmine or basmati)
2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, corn, red onion)
Optional: sliced avocado, chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Meatballs:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or preheat a stovetop grill pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined.
3. Shape the mixture into 20-25 meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in size.
4. Place meatballs on a baking sheet or in a grill pan and cook until golden and cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F). Set aside.
Prepare the Barbecue Sauce:
5. Transfer meatballs to a large bowl and pour barbecue sauce over them. Toss to coat evenly.
6. Spoon remaining sauce into a skillet or shallow dish large enough to hold the meatballs. Place meatballs in the sauce and simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside to keep warm.
Prepare the Avocado Sauce:
7. In a blender, combine avocados, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and salt. Blend until smooth. Add water as needed to reach desired consistency.
Prepare the Bowls:
8. In individual bowls, start with a base of cooked rice.
9. Top with an assortment of colorful cooked or raw vegetables (steamed or grilled are ideal for adding flavor).
10. Spoon the barbecue-coated meatballs over the vegetables and rice.
11. Drizzle with the avocado sauce.
12. Garnish with fresh herbs or additional vegetables if desired.
13. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
To save time, grill or bake the meatballs ahead of time and reheat them just before assembling bowls.
For a meatless version, substitute the ground beef with a plant-based ground meat alternative.
You can use leftover chicken as a flavorful and budget-friendly alternative to beef.
Ensure the barbecue sauce has no alcohol. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For a lighter version, reduce the amount of oil in the avocado sauce or use Greek yogurt as a base.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling and Simmering
- Cuisine: American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg