Spicy Chorizo Meatballs with Chipotle Barbecue Glaze: The Ultimate Game Day Appetizer

There’s an undeniable truth about Super Bowl Sunday: for many, it’s less about the game and more about the incredible food spread. While a few dedicated fans might be glued to every play, the vast majority of guests gather for the endless array of delectable appetizers and a selection of refreshing beverages. It’s a culinary celebration that transcends the boundaries of the football field, bringing friends and family together over plates piled high with deliciousness.

In our household, Super Bowl isn’t just a sporting event; it’s practically a national holiday. We dedicate considerable time to planning elaborate menus, sending out invitations, and even strategically requesting the following Monday off work to recover from the festivities. It truly is a momentous occasion, and the food plays a starring role in making it unforgettable.

My partner, affectionately known as Squirrel, meticulously crafts an extensive list of “football food” ideas, which he then entrusts to me with the hopeful expectation that I will bring every single item to life. While that might be a slight overestimation on his part, I do enthusiastically embrace the challenge, selecting a few of his top picks and, of course, adding some of my own creative culinary contributions to the lineup. This year, one of my standout additions that quickly earned Squirrel’s stamp of approval is these incredible Spicy Chorizo Meatballs with Chipotle Barbecue Glaze. They are truly a game-changer for any Super Bowl party.

These tender, flavorful meatballs have so much to love about them, but perhaps the most ingenious element is the unexpected addition of Food Should Taste Good Pinto Bean Multigrain Bean Chips. Yes, you read that correctly – chips! These aren’t just any ordinary chips; they are crafted with wholesome pinto beans, flax seeds, sesame seeds, and quinoa, offering a unique flavor profile and an incredible crunch. They are not only absolutely delicious but also boast the added benefits of being gluten-free, vegan, and kosher, making them an inclusive option for all your guests. This innovative ingredient elevates the meatballs, making them a standout appetizer that caters to various dietary preferences.

Instead of relying on traditional breadcrumbs to act as a binder, which can often be dense and add unwanted gluten, I opted for a generous handful of finely crushed Food Should Taste Good Pinto Bean Multigrain Bean Chips. This clever substitution not only keeps the meatballs wonderfully gluten-free but also infuses them with an extra layer of savory flavor and a delightful texture. The chips absorb moisture beautifully, ensuring the meatballs remain moist and tender throughout the cooking process, rather than drying out.

The foundation of these fantastic meatballs is a dynamic duo of spicy chorizo sausage and lean ground beef. The chorizo is the star here, delivering a robust, smoky flavor and a welcome kick of spice that awakens the palate. Its higher fat content also plays a crucial role in keeping the meatballs incredibly juicy and moist. After all, there’s nothing more disappointing than a dry, bland meatball – and we certainly aim to avoid that at all costs! To complement this meaty goodness, a superb meatball absolutely demands a luscious sauce. Therefore, I whipped up an effortlessly simple yet incredibly flavorful chipotle barbecue glaze. This glaze coats each meatball in a glistening layer of sweet, smoky, and spicy perfection, creating an irresistible saucy exterior that truly makes these meatballs shine.

Creating the perfect texture for your meatballs is key. Beyond the unique binding agent, finely dicing the vegetables – green pepper, red pepper, onion, and garlic – ensures they integrate seamlessly into the meat mixture without chunky bits, contributing moisture and aromatic depth. A food processor is your best friend here, quickly transforming these ingredients into a fine chop that blends perfectly with the ground beef and chorizo. When mixing, avoid overworking the meat, as this can lead to tough meatballs. A gentle hand-mixing until just combined will yield the most tender results. Rolling the meatballs to a consistent size is also important for even cooking, ensuring every bite is perfectly cooked and succulent.

The chipotle barbecue glaze is the crowning glory of these meatballs. It strikes a magnificent balance between sweetness from honey, tanginess from barbecue sauce, heat from hot sauce and chipotle peppers in adobo, and a rich umami depth from Worcestershire sauce. Chipotle peppers in adobo are particularly vital; they impart a smoky, earthy heat that is far more complex than just plain spice. Simmering the glaze gently allows all these flavors to meld and slightly thicken, creating a sticky, glossy coating that adheres beautifully to the meatballs. Tossing the freshly baked meatballs in this warm glaze right before serving ensures every surface is coated in deliciousness.

Of course, no Super Bowl party would be complete without a selection of fine beverages to accompany the feast. These smoky, spicy chorizo meatballs pair exceptionally well with a lightly-hopped dark lager. The crisp, slightly malty notes of the lager provide a refreshing contrast to the richness and heat of the meatballs, cleansing the palate and enhancing the overall tasting experience. Your guests will undoubtedly flock to the platter of these irresistible appetizers, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself needing to double the batch to keep up with demand. They disappear remarkably fast!

Beyond being a fantastic Super Bowl snack, these spicy chorizo meatballs are versatile enough for any gathering. They can be served as a delightful appetizer for holiday parties, a hearty component of a tapas spread, or even as a flavorful addition to a weeknight meal with a side of rice or a fresh salad. Their robust flavor profile means they hold up well, making them an excellent candidate for meal prepping or potlucks. For serving a crowd, consider transferring the glazed meatballs to a slow cooker set to “warm” to keep them perfectly hot and saucy throughout your event, allowing guests to help themselves as they please.

Food Should Taste Good products are renowned for their commitment to using wholesome, natural ingredients to create snacks that are both delicious and mindful. Their range of chips, including the Pinto Bean Multigrain Bean Chips used here, are designed to be a healthier alternative without compromising on flavor or crunch. You can conveniently find Food Should Taste Good products online through their website and at a variety of select specialty retailers. For even more delicious recipe inspiration and to stay updated on their latest products, make sure to visit them on their vibrant social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Dive into a world of flavorful snacking and discover how their quality ingredients can transform your everyday meals and party spreads.

Disclosure: Thank you to Food Should Taste Good for sponsoring this post. All opinions expressed are 100% my own. Your support helps me continue to work with brands I genuinely use and love in my own kitchen, allowing me to bring you more delicious recipes and content.