Recipe: Meatballs with Tavern Direct Smokin’ Chipotle Sauce and Honey

Last Updated on September 23, 2020 by Ellen Christian

I have a confession, before tonight, I had absolutely no idea what chipotle was. I’d seen it mentioned a number of times but I really had no idea until I received a bottle of Smokin’ Chipotle sauce from Tavern Direct.

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Well I checked the Tavern Direct site and this is what I found:

Inspired by popular Mexican taste sensations, Tavern on the Green Smokin’ Chipotle is a gourmet twist on barbeque sauce with a perfect mingling of sweet and hot. A true winner as a basting or finishing sauce for barbequed chicken, pork or ribs. Andale, flavors beyond the border come home!

Ingredients: Tomato puree, molasses, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, water, pure maple syrup, natural hickory smoked flavor, chipotle powder, herbs & spices. Yummy! Sounds like just my thing! After a little thought, I decided it would go perfect in this recipe:

Meatballs with Tavern Direct Smokin’ Chipotle Sauce and Honey

1 pound ground beef
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs
1/8 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

Chipotle-Honey Sauce

1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons Tavern Direct Smokin’ Chipotle Sauce
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/2 Tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine ground beef, eggs, bread crumbs, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix well.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and form beef mixture into 24 meatballs. Place the meatballs on the baking sheets and cover with plastic wrap; chill 1 hour.

While the meatballs are chilling, make the sauce.

In a food processor or blender combine honey, chipotle sauce, chicken broth, tomato paste, lime juice, Dijon mustard and salt. Process until smooth. Set aside.

Remove meatballs from the refrigerator and lightly brush with vegetable oil. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 12 minutes.

Remove the trays from the oven and place meatballs in a baking dish. Add Chipotle-Honey Sauce and brush the meatballs until they are coated.

Bake another 12-15 minutes until meatballs are heated through and glazed with sauce.

We served ours over rice but they could easily be served as an appetizer for a party.  I love the pairing of the Smokin’ Chipotle sauce with the honey.  It’s a slightly sweet, smokey kind of flavor that was absolutely amazing.

My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this product.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

21 thoughts on “Recipe: Meatballs with Tavern Direct Smokin’ Chipotle Sauce and Honey”

  1. I'm not sure if our 12 yr old son would eat them, but since they sounds like they'd be smoky sweet, hubby and I would eat them!!!
    Reply
  2. These might be the most delicious meatballs I have ever seen. Almost everyone goes Italian for meatballs--what a wonderful change.
    bethelderton59 at gmail dot com
    Reply
  3. Oh wow...these look really, really, REALLY good! My hubby is a meatball and rice kind of guy and we are always searching for new recipes to try. I may surprise him with this for his birthday. Thanks!!
    Reply
  4. I'm not a big Chipotle Sauce fan BUT meatballs and rice sound like a yummy combination since I love eating rice. :-) Thanks for sharing the recipe.
    Reply
  5. Wow, this looks fantastic. I have to try this stuff! I just checked out their website and they have an amazing variety of sauces and marinades, and even dipping sauces. There's a killer recipe section also!
    Reply
  6. I LOVE making meatball meals! I have never tried it this way before. My mouth started to water after looking at the pics! YUMMMMMMM!

    -Jennifer, Jennifer's Deals
    Reply
  7. Those look so thick and filling. I bet with the rice, you could barely eat the entire plate. My hubby hates store bought meatballs, so I will have to give these a try one night.
    Reply
  8. Down here in TX everything is Chipotle! lol This looks SO good! I agree with April, it sounds good for meatloaf also! I love meatloaf.

    Michelle V
    Reply
  9. You know, I never thought to use chipotle sauce with meatballs. This looks really good. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
    Reply

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