These bourbon bbq meatballs are the perfect holiday appetizer. They are easy to make and packed full of homemade bourbon bbq sauce flavor.
You know when you go to a party and see all the appetizers and you get excited?
That’s how I feel when I go to a holiday party and I see meatballs.
They are hands down my favorite thing on the menu.
Well, if I’m being honest it’s really a tie between meatballs and pigs in a blanket.
You know you love them too.
These little meatballs are homemade (you could always use frozen if you’re short on time) and are swimming in a super simple homemade stovetop bourbon bbq sauce.
That’s right. I worked bourbon into my bbq sauce – oh yeah!
{Items used in this post – bamboo party forks and Anolon Nouvelle Copper Hard Anodized Nonstick 10-Inch Covered French Skillet}
The best part about this dish is that you can make the meatballs and sauce ahead of time and then simply re-heat either on the stovetop or in a slow cooker for a party.
Or if you’re like me you would make them for dinner.
There are no rules that say you can’t eat appetizers for dinner…right?
Love these bourbon BBQ meatballs?
Why not try a few of my other easy appetizers?
- Go all out with this recipe! Try my Ultimate Italian Antipasto Platter.
- Craving an easy to make dip? Try my Tahini Free Lemon Hummus.
- Want an easy dip with tons of flavor? Try my Baked Spinach Bacon Dip.
- How about a fun sandwich appetizer? Try my Baked Apple Butter Ham and Cheese Sandwiches.
Bourbon BBQ Meatballs
Ingredients
For meatballs:
- 1 pound ground meatloaf mix (ground beef, pork and veal)
- 1 cup chopped fresh baby spinach
- 1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
For bourbon BBQ sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- Pinch kosher salt
Instructions
For the meatballs:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat liner.
- In a large bowl, add all meatball ingredients.
- Using your hands' mix together until fully incorporated.
- Roll into about 2-inch sized balls and place onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes until no longer pink.
- Remove from the oven and set aside.
For the BBQ sauce:
- Add all sauce ingredients to a 12-inch skillet over medium heat.
- Whisk together to combine.
- Let the sauce mixture simmer for 20 minutes or just until it starts to bubble and cook down.
- Add meatballs to the sauce, cover, and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Uncover, flip the meatballs and simmer until ready to serve.
- Make sure to keep an eye on the sauce so it doesn’t cook down too much.