Get ready to take your party menu to the next level with these Whiskey-Bourbon BBQ Meatball Sliders! These epic mini sandwiches are about to turn your kitchen into a flavor explosion. Tender, juicy meatballs are simmered in a bold, boozy BBQ sauce that will have your guests begging for more. Buckle up, because we’re about to make some seriously delicious rule-breaking magic in the kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Whiskey-Bourbon BBQ Meatball Sliders for Parties
These Whiskey-Bourbon BBQ Meatball Sliders are the ultimate party food! They’re incredibly easy to make, but they pack a massive punch of flavor that will have your guests raving. The meatballs are perfectly tender and juicy, and the whiskey-infused BBQ sauce is out-of-this-world good. Plus, the mini slider format makes them the perfect handheld treat for any celebration. Whether you’re hosting a game day bash, a backyard BBQ, or just want to treat yourself, these meatball sliders are guaranteed to be the star of the show.
Ingredients
The ingredients for these Whiskey-Bourbon BBQ Meatball Sliders are simple, but they come together to create an epic flavor experience. You’ll need ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, onion, and a handful of spices to make the meatballs. For the sauce, you’ll simmer the meatballs in a mixture of ketchup, bourbon, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and a few other key ingredients that will have your taste buds doing a happy dance.
- 2 lbs – Ground Beef
- 1 cup – Panko Breadcrumbs
- 2 – Eggs
- 3 cloves – Garlic, minced
- 1 small – Onion, finely diced
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground Beef: Ground Turkey or Ground Chicken (for a lighter option)
- Homemade Meatballs: Frozen Pre-Made Meatballs (for even easier prep)
How to Make Whiskey-Bourbon BBQ Meatball Sliders for Parties
Let’s get cookin’ and turn your kitchen into flavor paradise!
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and lightly greasing a baking sheet. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, panko, eggs, garlic, onion, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Mix everything together until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Form the beef mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs – about 1-inch in diameter – and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake the meatballs for 15-18 minutes, until they’re cooked through and lightly browned.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
While the meatballs are baking, make the whiskey-bourbon BBQ sauce. In a saucepan, whisk together 1 cup ketchup, 1/2 cup bourbon, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it thicken up for about 10 minutes.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Once the meatballs are done, add them to the simmering BBQ sauce and let them soak up all that incredible flavor for 5 minutes. Serve the meatballs on toasted slider buns or dinner rolls, and let your guests go to town on these epic handheld treats!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Cheesy Goodness: Add a slice of melty cheddar or pepper jack cheese to each slider for extra indulgence.
- Bacon Bits: Top each slider with a crispy piece of bacon for a salty, smoky twist.
- Tangy Crunch: Garnish the sliders with dill pickle chips or a quick pickled veggie slaw.
- Spicy Kick: Mix in a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the BBQ sauce for an added punch of heat.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: fresh coleslaw, crispy fries or tater tots, and an ice-cold beer or whiskey cocktail.
Storage: Store any extra meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Gently reheat the meatballs and sauce on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
Make-Ahead: The meatballs can be made and baked up to 3 days in advance. Just store them in the fridge until you’re ready to add them to the sauce.
Nutrition Information
These Whiskey-Bourbon BBQ Meatball Sliders are a fairly indulgent party food, but they’re also super satisfying. Each slider contains about 250 calories, with 15g of fat, 20g of carbs, and 15g of protein. Of course, the exact nutrition info may vary depending on the specific ingredients you use.
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Protein: 15 g
- Carbs: 20 g
- Fat: 15 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t want to use bourbon?
No problem! You can easily substitute regular whiskey or even just use a high-quality BBQ sauce if you prefer. The bourbon adds a really nice depth of flavor, but the recipe will still be delicious without it.
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Absolutely! The meatballs can be made and baked up to 3 days in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to add them to the sauce.
How spicy are these meatball sliders?
The recipe as written has a mild to medium spice level. If you want to amp up the heat, you can add a few dashes of hot sauce to the BBQ sauce or even mix a little cayenne or chili powder into the meatball mixture.
Can I freeze these meatball sliders?
Yes, you can definitely freeze the cooked meatballs and sauce separately. Just let them cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags. When you’re ready to serve, thaw them in the fridge overnight and then reheat on the stovetop or in the oven.
What should I serve with these meatball sliders?
These Whiskey-Bourbon BBQ Meatball Sliders would be amazing paired with a fresh, crunchy coleslaw, some crispy fries or tater tots, and an ice-cold beer or whiskey cocktail. You can also serve them with a simple salad or some baked beans for a classic backyard BBQ vibe.
Try These Next
- Whiskey Infused Bbq Meatball Sliders With A Kick
- Bourbon Glazed Whiskey Bbq Chicken Skewers For Game Day
- Maple Bourbon Whiskey Bbq Chicken Sliders With Crunchy Slaw
Whiskey-Bourbon BBQ Meatball Sliders for Parties
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Beer, Whiskey & Wine Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Whiskey-Bourbon BBQ Meatball Sliders are the perfect crowd-pleaser for parties. Juicy meatballs infused with whiskey and bourbon, slathered in a tangy BBQ sauce, served on soft slider buns. Your guests will love them!
Ingredients
– 1 lb ground beef
– 1/2 lb ground pork
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/4 cup chopped parsley
– 1 large egg
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup whiskey
– 1/4 cup bourbon
– 1 cup BBQ sauce
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 12 slider buns
– Pickles for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic, whiskey, bourbon, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
3. Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
4. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. In a saucepan, heat the BBQ sauce over medium heat and add the baked meatballs. Simmer for 5 minutes.
6. To assemble the sliders, place a meatball on each slider bun and top with additional BBQ sauce and pickles.
7. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Feel free to adjust the amount of whiskey and bourbon to your taste. You can also use store-bought meatballs to save time!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: meatballs, sliders, BBQ, whiskey, bourbon