Slow Cooker Bourbon Whiskey Meatballs
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Slow Cooker Bourbon Whiskey Meatballs have a generous splash of bourbon and a tangy sauce.
Meatballs are the quintessential party food and my Slow Cooker Bourbon Whiskey Meatballs are perfect for large potlucks or cocktails for a dozen of your friends. The recipe is versatile and economical, as well as, of course, delicious.
Slow Cooker Bourbon Whiskey Meatballs
And, don’t forget meatballs are great for entertaining, but they are also great in a hoagie bun as a sandwich! Personally, I would load the bun up with meatballs, cheddar cheese, tangy slaw, and candied jalapenos!
Most noteworthy, for tender meatballs, don’t overwork the meat especially important when using a leaner meat like turkey. (Higher fat meats are more tender.) Experts recommend using kitchen gloves and your hands to mix the mixture together so that you can feel the meat. I prefer to use a large spatula. Use what is comfortable for you.
Furthermore, breadcrumbs will help to keep the meatballs tender. Breadcrumbs add moisture to the meatballs and also prevents the meat proteins from shrinking and becoming tough while cooking.
You can make these meatballs either in your slow cooking or on the stove top.
Slow Cooker Bourbon Whiskey Meatballs
- I like to put little oil in the bottom of the slow cooker to keep the meatballs from sticking. You can spray it with non-stick vegetable spray and get the same effect.
- I lighten the meatballs a little by using part beef and part turkey. You can use all beef or all turkey if you’d like.
- Personally, I don’t cook with wine or bourbon that I wouldn’t make a drink with, therefore, I used a good bourbon in this recipe. Use your favorite, after all, that’s the flavor you enjoy best.
- As well, you may substitute sorghum or honey for the molasses. I prefer the complexity of flavor the molasses gives.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper and hot sauce to your liking.
- I use a 1-inch spring release scoop to measure my meatballs. To me, it’s the easiest way to keep them uniform. For this size meatball, I got approximately 50 meatballs.
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Slow Cooker Bourbon Whiskey Meatballs
Ingredients
MEATBALLS
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1 eggs beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic clove
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper to your taste
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon oil*
SAUCE
- 1/2 cup bourbon see notes below
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce or to taste
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
- To make the meatballs, mix together the ground beef and ground turkey, bread crumbs, egg, salt garlic, thyme, pepper, cayenne pepper, bourbon, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Shape the meatballs into 1 to 1 and 1/2 inch diameter.
- Add meatballs to slow cooker.
- Combine Sauce ingredients and pour over meatballs.
- Cover and cook in slow cooker 2 to 2 and 1/2 hours on high.
- Spoon sauce over meatballs as needed. Serve.
Notes
- On medium heat, add oil to a large skillet.
- Place meatballs in a skillet, don't overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches.
- Brown on all sides (about 2-3 minutes per side).
- Remove cooked meatballs from the pan and set aside.
- Drain off the excess grease and add the sauce ingredients to the pan.
- Cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
- Add the meatballs back to the pan, toss to coat.
- Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are important to you, I recommend calculating them yourself.
Sounds delicious! Can I cook the meatballs in oven on a pan vs stovetop? If so what temp and how long?
Depending on the size typically meatballs will cook in a 350 degrees oven for 25 to 30 minutes.
For stovetop put 2 tablespoons of oil in your pan and cook, flipping occasionally until the center reaches 165 degrees F – usually 10-20 minutes depending on size and temp. I usually turn the pan to low after it heats up because the outside will become cooked before the inside if the temp is too hot.
Can these be frozen after cooking and easily reheated?
Yes, you can thaw in the fridge and reheat in slow cooker.
I have a family member that does not eat Turkey in any form. He actually gets sick. Can I use all beef in the recipe instead of the combination? These look delicious.
Absolutely, it’ll be great with all beef.