Smoky Maple Bourbon BBQ Meatballs with Tangy Dipping Sauce are about to become your new go-to party appetizer or weeknight meal! These epic meatballs are packed with bold, smoky flavors from the maple bourbon BBQ sauce, and the tangy dipping sauce takes them over the top. Get ready to transform your kitchen into a flavor paradise!
Why You’ll Love This Smoky Maple Bourbon BBQ Meatballs with Tangy Dipping Sauce
These insane meatballs are the ultimate fusion of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. The maple bourbon BBQ sauce is absolutely mind-blowing, with a thrilling balance of richness, warmth, and a slight kick of heat. The tangy dipping sauce is the perfect accompaniment, adding a bright, lively contrast to the meatballs. Prepare to experience a sensational explosion of taste in every bite!
Ingredients
The key ingredients for these Smoky Maple Bourbon BBQ Meatballs with Tangy Dipping Sauce include ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, onion, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a blend of spices. For the incredible maple bourbon BBQ sauce, you’ll need maple syrup, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, and more. The tangy dipping sauce is a simple yet flavor-packed mixture of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and fresh herbs.
- 1 lb – Ground beef
- 1 cup – Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 – Eggs
- 3 cloves – Garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup – Onion, finely chopped
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground Meat: Try using ground turkey or pork for a unique twist (both work great with the bold flavors).
- Bourbon: If you’re not a fan of bourbon, you can use another spirit like whiskey or even leave it out entirely.
How to Make Smoky Maple Bourbon BBQ Meatballs with Tangy Dipping Sauce
Alright, y’all, let’s get to work on these epic meatballs! We’re about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise, so get ready.
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, panko, eggs, garlic, onion, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into bite-sized meatballs and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake the meatballs until they’re cooked through and slightly browned, about 20-25 minutes.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
While the meatballs are baking, let’s make the incredible maple bourbon BBQ sauce. In a saucepan, whisk together the maple syrup, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and a blend of spices. Simmer the sauce until it thickens, about 10-15 minutes, then toss the cooked meatballs in the sauce to coat them evenly.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
For the tangy dipping sauce, simply mix together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, fresh herbs, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Serve the Smoky Maple Bourbon BBQ Meatballs with the tangy dipping sauce on the side, and get ready to experience a true flavor explosion!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Spice it Up: Add a splash of your favorite hot sauce to the tangy dipping sauce for an extra kick of heat.
- Switch it Up: Feel free to experiment with different types of proteins, such as ground turkey or pork, for a unique twist on these epic meatballs.
- Adjust the Sweetness: You can play around with the amount of maple syrup in the BBQ sauce to suit your taste preferences.
- Make-Ahead Meatballs: Prepare the meatball mixture and shape it into balls up to 2 days in advance. Store the uncooked meatballs in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: These Smoky Maple Bourbon BBQ Meatballs are the ultimate party appetizer or a sensational weeknight meal. Serve them as the main dish with a side of roasted veggies or mashed potatoes, or enjoy them as a tempting snack with the tangy dipping sauce.
Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat the meatballs in the oven or in a saucepan with the maple bourbon BBQ sauce.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the meatball mixture and shape it into balls up to 2 days in advance. Store the uncooked meatballs in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them.
Nutrition Information
These Smoky Maple Bourbon BBQ Meatballs with Tangy Dipping Sauce are a delicious and satisfying meal, but they do contain some higher-fat ingredients like ground beef and bourbon. Each serving (about 3 meatballs and 2 tablespoons of dipping sauce) contains approximately 350 calories, 22 grams of fat, 18 grams of carbohydrates, and 22 grams of protein.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the meatballs in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatball mixture and shape it into balls up to 2 days in advance. Store the uncooked meatballs in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them.
Can I freeze the meatballs?
Yes, these meatballs freeze incredibly well! After baking, let them cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat the meatballs in the oven or in a saucepan with the maple bourbon BBQ sauce.
Can I use a different type of meat?
Definitely! Feel free to experiment with ground turkey, pork, or a combination of meats. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
How spicy is the maple bourbon BBQ sauce?
The sauce has a slight kick of heat from the cayenne pepper, but it’s not overpowering. You can easily adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne to suit your taste preferences.
Can I make the tangy dipping sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! The tangy dipping sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Try These Next
- Smoky Maple Bourbon Glazed Ribs With Tangy Bbq Sauce
- Bourbon Maple Glazed Chicken Wings With Tangy Dipping Sauce
- Smoky Bbq Bacon Wrapped Meatballs With Tangy Sauce
Smoky Maple Bourbon BBQ Meatballs with Tangy Dipping Sauce
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Smoke House
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Smoky Maple Bourbon BBQ Meatballs are a delightful combination of sweet and smoky flavors, perfect for any gathering or as a tasty dinner option. Serve with a tangy dipping sauce for an extra kick!
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup bourbon
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 egg
Tangy Dipping Sauce:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp maple syrup
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, bourbon, maple syrup, BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and egg.
3. Mix until well combined and form into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
4. Place the meatballs on a lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. While the meatballs are baking, prepare the tangy dipping sauce by mixing together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
6. Once the meatballs are done, serve hot with the tangy dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
These meatballs can be made ahead of time and frozen before baking. Simply thaw and bake when ready to serve.
Feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: meatballs, BBQ, bourbon, maple, appetizer