Savory Bourbon Glazed Crockpot Meatballs
Easy and perfect for parties, these tender meatballs are coated in a sticky, flavorful bourbon glaze and slow-cooked to perfection. A quick prep and slow cooker method make this recipe a crowd-pleaser for any gathering.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours (slow cooker low) or 1.5 to 2 hours (slow cooker high)
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker low) or 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker high)
- Yield: About 20 meatballs (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend preferred)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko recommended)
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp finely chopped onion
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (optional)
- ½ cup bourbon whiskey
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, whole milk, egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and dried Italian herbs if using. Mix gently until just combined.
- Shape the mixture into 1 ½ inch diameter meatballs and place them on a baking sheet or plate.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine bourbon, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and cayenne pepper if desired. Stir often until sugar dissolves and sauce simmers. Reduce for 8-10 minutes until thickened and glossy.
- Transfer meatballs to the slow cooker and pour the bourbon glaze over them. Gently stir to coat evenly without breaking the meatballs.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1 ½ – 2 hours until meatballs are tender and fully cooked (internal temperature 160°F).
- Before serving, gently stir meatballs to coat with extra glaze. If sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered in a saucepan for a few minutes to thicken.
Notes
Do not overmix meatball mixture to avoid dense texture. Browning meatballs before slow cooking is optional but adds flavor. Let glaze reduce slowly for best consistency. Use slow cooker liners for easy cleanup. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour and soy sauce with tamari. For non-alcoholic glaze, substitute bourbon with apple or grape juice plus vinegar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 5 meatballs
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Protein: 20
Keywords: bourbon glazed meatballs, crockpot meatballs, party appetizers, slow cooker recipes, easy meatballs, bourbon glaze, crowd-pleaser