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Bourbon Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs

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Juicy, bite-sized meatballs packed with crispy bacon, melty cheddar cheese, and a sticky bourbon glaze—these are the ultimate BBQ party appetizer. Perfect for game days, potlucks, or backyard gatherings, they deliver all the flavors of a cheeseburger with a grown-up twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko; gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
  • For the Bourbon Glaze:
  • 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
  • Optional for Serving:
  • Slider buns or mini rolls
  • Pickles, lettuce, tomato slices
  • Extra shredded cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. If grilling, preheat grill to medium-high and oil grill basket or skewers.
  2. Chop bacon and cook in a skillet over medium heat until crispy (8-10 minutes). Drain on paper towels and let cool.
  3. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cooled bacon, shredded cheddar, breadcrumbs, egg, diced onion, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, salt, and black pepper. Mix just until combined.
  4. Shape mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs (about 20-24). Place evenly on prepared baking sheet. For extra cheesy centers, press a small cube of cheddar into the middle of each meatball and seal.
  5. In a small saucepan, combine bourbon, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Brush each meatball generously with bourbon glaze. Reserve some glaze for serving if desired.
  7. Bake meatballs for 15-18 minutes, or until cooked through (160°F internal temp). If grilling, cook for 12-15 minutes, turning and glazing midway.
  8. Brush with remaining glaze. For extra melty cheese, sprinkle more cheddar on top and return to oven for 2 minutes.
  9. Let cool 5 minutes before serving. Serve with toothpicks or slider buns and desired toppings.

Notes

For gluten-free, use GF breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, use plant-based cheese. You can prep meatballs a day ahead and bake before serving. Leftover glaze is great as a dip or on veggies. If using the grill, a grill basket or skewers help prevent sticking. For extra juicy meatballs, avoid overmixing and use 80/20 beef.

Nutrition

Keywords: bourbon, bacon, cheeseburger, meatballs, BBQ, party food, appetizer, grill, oven, easy, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/bourbon-bacon-cheeseburger-meatballs-easy-bbq-party-recipe/