Description

Juicy, smoky meatballs glazed with a sticky, sweet, and savory bourbon BBQ sauce. This recipe is perfect for game day parties, offering a restaurant-quality appetizer that is easy to make and infinitely better than takeout.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
0.5 lbs ground pork
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup bourbon whiskey
1 cup thick BBQ sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon hot sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley. Mix gently until just combined; do not overmix.
Roll the mixture into 1.5-inch balls (yields 24-30 meatballs) and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake meatballs for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until browned on the outside but still slightly pink inside. Remove and set aside.
While meatballs bake, combine bourbon, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, and minced garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk until brown sugar is dissolved, then bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly and reduces by one-third.
Place browned meatballs in a large skillet or crockpot. Pour the warm glaze over the meatballs and toss gently to coat.
If using a skillet, cover and simmer on low for 10 minutes. If using a crockpot, cook on Low for 1-2 hours to absorb flavor.
Serve warm, garnished with extra fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid tough meatballs. Browning the meatballs first adds texture and flavor via the Maillard reaction. Use a mid-shelf bourbon for best flavor. The glaze will thicken further as it cools. For leftovers, reheat gently with a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 meatballs per serv
Calories: 320
Sugar: 14
Sodium: 650
Fat: 16
Saturated Fat: 6
Carbohydrates: 22
Fiber: 1
Protein: 18

Keywords: meatballs, bourbon glaze, BBQ meatballs, game day food, football snacks, party appetizers, smoky meatballs, crockpot recipes