Flavorful Bourbon Meatballs Recipe with Easy Brown Sugar Glaze
These bourbon meatballs feature a sticky, caramelized brown sugar glaze that balances smoky warmth and sweet richness, perfect for quick dinners or parties.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 18-20 meatballs (about 4 servings) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1/2 cup (50 g) breadcrumbs, plain or panko
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) bourbon
- 1/3 cup (70 g) brown sugar (light or dark)
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) if baking, or heat a skillet over medium heat for stovetop cooking.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Shape mixture into 1 1/2-inch (4 cm) meatballs, about 18-20 meatballs.
- For stovetop: Add oil to hot skillet, cook meatballs in a single layer for 3-4 minutes per side until browned. For baking: Arrange meatballs on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in bourbon and brown sugar. Simmer gently for 5-7 minutes until thickened and syrupy. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
- Transfer browned meatballs to the glaze and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Serve warm immediately or keep warm on low heat until ready to eat.
Notes
Avoid overmixing meat to keep meatballs tender. Brown meatballs well for caramelized crust. Simmer glaze gently to avoid burning sugar. Adjust glaze thickness with water or bourbon. Substitute bourbon with apple cider vinegar and water for non-alcoholic version. Gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour can be used for gluten-free diet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 meatballs pe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 20
Keywords: bourbon meatballs, brown sugar glaze, easy meatballs, party appetizer, quick dinner, comfort food