Get ready to transform your holiday party into a flavor explosion with these Maple Bourbon Glazed Meatballs! These epic little bites are the ultimate irresistible appetizer that’ll have your guests smashing them down and begging for more. With a mouth-watering maple bourbon glaze that’ll send your taste buds into a thrilling frenzy, these sensational meatballs are about to make your kitchen the most epic flavor paradise ever.
Why You’ll Love This Maple Bourbon Glazed Meatballs for Holiday Parties
These Maple Bourbon Glazed Meatballs are the ultimate holiday party showstopper! Not only are they insanely delicious, but they’re also incredibly easy to make, which means more time for you to enjoy the festivities. The amazing maple bourbon glaze takes these meatballs to the next level, creating a massive flavor explosion in every bite. Plus, they’re the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and just a touch of boozy goodness. Your guests will be absolutely amazed and addicted to these revolutionary bites, making them the star of the show at any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
To make these Maple Bourbon Glazed Meatballs, you’ll need a few key ingredients. First, you’ll need ground beef or a mix of ground beef and pork for the meatballs. Then, you’ll need some panko breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, salt, and pepper to bind and season the meatballs. For the epic maple bourbon glaze, you’ll need maple syrup, bourbon, Dijon mustard, and a touch of soy sauce to balance out the flavors.
- 1 lb – Ground Beef or Beef/Pork Blend
- 1/2 cup – Panko Breadcrumbs
- 2 – Eggs
- 2 cloves – Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp – Salt and Pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground Beef/Pork: Ground Turkey or Chicken (for a leaner option)
- Bourbon: Whiskey or Dark Rum (for a different flavor profile)
How to Make Maple Bourbon Glazed Meatballs for Holiday Parties
Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today? Let’s get cooking!
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Then, in a large bowl, combine the ground beef or pork, panko breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined, being careful not to overmix.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Next, form the meat mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes, or until they’re cooked through and lightly browned.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
While the meatballs are baking, make the incredible maple bourbon glaze. In a small saucepan, whisk together the maple syrup, bourbon, Dijon mustard, and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, or until it’s slightly thickened.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Once the meatballs are out of the oven, transfer them to a serving dish and drizzle the amazing maple bourbon glaze all over the top. Toss the meatballs gently to coat them evenly in the glaze, and you’re ready to serve these epic bites to your guests! Warning: This dish causes serious food jealousy.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Mix It Up: Try using a mix of ground meats, like beef and pork, or even throw in some chopped bacon for an extra savory punch.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the glaze for a bit of heat.
- Coat Them: Roll the meatballs in toasted sesame seeds or chopped fresh herbs before baking for added texture and flavor.
- Get Creative: The possibilities are endless with these Maple Bourbon Glazed Meatballs, so feel free to get creative and put your own spin on them!
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Your favorite dipping sauce, mini Hawaiian rolls, or sliders for a fun and tasty holiday slider bar.
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Reheat the meatballs in the oven or microwave before serving.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the meatball mixture and even bake the meatballs a day or two in advance. Just store them in the fridge until you’re ready to make the glaze and serve them.
Nutrition Information
These Maple Bourbon Glazed Meatballs are the ultimate indulgence, but they’re also packed with protein and a touch of sweetness that’ll satisfy your cravings. Each serving (about 3 meatballs) contains approximately 250 calories, 15g of fat, 18g of protein, and 15g of carbohydrates. So, you can enjoy these epic bites without feeling too guilty!
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbs: 15 g
- Fat: 15 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatball mixture and even bake the meatballs a day or two in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to make the glaze and serve them.
Can I use a different type of meat?
Yes, you can definitely switch up the protein. Ground turkey or chicken would work great, or you could even try a mix of ground beef and pork for a unique flavor.
How spicy are these meatballs?
These Maple Bourbon Glazed Meatballs have a relatively mild flavor, with just a touch of sweetness from the maple syrup and a subtle kick from the bourbon. If you want to amp up the heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the glaze.
Can I make these meatballs vegetarian or vegan?
Absolutely! You can easily make a vegetarian or vegan version by using plant-based ground “meat” and substituting the honey or maple syrup with a vegan alternative, like agave or date syrup.
How do I reheat leftovers?
To reheat leftovers, simply place the meatballs on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until they’re heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but be sure to keep a close eye on them to prevent them from drying out.
Try These Next
- Maple Bourbon Whiskey Glazed Meatballs
- Bourbon Glazed Whiskey Bbq Chicken Skewers For Game Day
- Whiskey Glazed Maple Bacon Meatballs With Sweet Chili Drizzle
Maple Bourbon Glazed Meatballs for Holiday Parties
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 20 meatballs 1x
- Category: Beer, Whiskey & Wine Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Maple Bourbon Glazed Meatballs are a perfect blend of sweet and savory, making them an ideal appetizer for your holiday parties. Succulent meatballs are coated in a tangy maple bourbon glaze that will leave your guests wanting more!
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup bourbon
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
3. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet.
4. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
5. While the meatballs are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, bourbon, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Remove the meatballs from the oven and toss them in the maple bourbon glaze until well coated.
7. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
These meatballs can be made ahead of time and reheated in the glaze. You can also substitute ground turkey for a lighter option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 meatballs
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: meatballs, appetizer, holiday, maple, bourbon