Piri Piri Meatballs

Looking for a way to spice up your weeknight dinner routine? These Piri Piri Meatballs are fiery, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make — especially with a homemade roasted red pepper Piri Piri sauce that’s equal parts smoky, spicy, and bright.

Inspired by the bold Portuguese-African flavors of traditional Piri Piri chicken, this version gives the flavor-packed treatment to juicy meatballs made from a blend of beef and pork. They're roasted or pan-seared to perfection, then tossed in a zesty sauce made with roasted red pepper, chili flakes, garlic, lemon, and vinegar.

It’s a dish that hits all the right notes — sweet, smoky, spicy, and savory — and comes together in under 40 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Bold, spicy flavor with a balanced homemade sauce

1. Juicy texture from beef + pork combo

2. Naturally gluten-free

3. Great for meal prep, bowls, or party bites

4. A fun twist on classic meatballs!

Final Thoughts:

These Piri Piri Meatballs bring bold heat and juicy flavor to your table with minimal fuss. Whether you’re making dinner for the family or want a standout meal prep recipe, these meatballs check every box: spicy, satisfying, and endlessly versatile. Pair with a grain, pile into a pita, or serve them as an appetizer — and don’t forget the extra drizzle of that fiery Piri Piri sauce!

Yield: 4 servings

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Piri Piri Meatballs

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 40 Min

Looking for a way to spice up your weeknight dinner routine? These Piri Piri Meatballs are fiery, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make — especially with a homemade roasted red pepper Piri Piri sauce that’s equal parts smoky, spicy, and bright.

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Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• ½ lb ground beef
• ½ lb ground pork
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup grated onion (or 1 small onion, finely minced)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp chili flakes (adjust to heat level)
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1–2 tbsp olive oil (for pan-searing)

For the Homemade Piri Piri Sauce

• 1 roasted red bell pepper (jarred or homemade)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1–2 tsp chili flakes (depending on spice preference)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar or white vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, pork, egg, onion, garlic, spices, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
2. Roll into 1 ½-inch meatballs (about 16–18 total).
3. Heat 1–2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear meatballs in batches for 6–8 minutes, turning to brown all sides. (Alternatively, bake at 400°F for 15–18 minutes.)
4. Add all sauce ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
5. Taste and adjust salt, lemon juice, or chili flakes as needed.
6. Once meatballs are cooked, return all to the pan. Pour in the Piri Piri sauce.
7. Simmer on low for 3–5 minutes until warmed through and slightly thickened. Spoon sauce over meatballs to glaze.
8. Serve meatballs over rice, couscous, mashed potatoes, or in lettuce wraps.
9. Garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

Notes

Want it milder? Use less chili flakes and more sweet roasted pepper.

Add depth: Stir in a touch of honey or smoked paprika to the sauce for sweetness and complexity.

Make it a bowl: Serve with garlic yogurt, avocado, and greens for a spicy protein-packed bowl.

Meal prep: Make extra sauce and freeze meatballs for later use!

Nutrition Facts

Calories

419

Fat

35 g

Sat. Fat

11 g

Carbs

4 g

Fiber

1 g

Net carbs

3 g

Sugar

1 g

Protein

21 g

Sodium

324 mg

Cholesterol

122 mg

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.