Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs

🥖🔥 Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs

📝 Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)

• ½ cup bread crumbs

• 1 large egg

• ½ small onion, finely minced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ cup shredded cheddar (or cheese cubes for stuffing)

• 4 strips bacon, cooked & crumbled

• 1 tbsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)

• 1 tbsp ketchup

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Bourbon BBQ Sauce:

• 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite kind)

• ¼ cup bourbon

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)

• Dash of hot sauce (optional)

For the Subs:

• 4 sub rolls or hoagie buns

• 4–6 slices cheddar or American cheese

• Optional toppings: pickle slices, crispy fried onions, jalapeños, lettuce, tomato

👨‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Make the Meatballs:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

• In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, garlic, crumbled bacon, mustard, ketchup, salt, and pepper.

• Stir in the shredded cheese or place a small cube in the center of each ball.

• Form into 1½-inch meatballs.

• Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15–18 minutes, until browned and cooked through.

2. Make the Bourbon BBQ Sauce:

• While meatballs bake, combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.

• Simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and bourbon has cooked off.

3. Toss the Meatballs in Sauce:

• Add cooked meatballs to the sauce and toss to coat.

4. Assemble the Subs:

• Lightly toast the sub rolls (optional).

• Lay cheese slices on the bottom of each roll.

• Spoon in the hot BBQ bacon meatballs.

• Add extra sauce and your favorite toppings.

5. Melt & Serve:

• Optional: place assembled subs under the broiler for 1–2 minutes to melt the cheese fully and toast the tops.

• Serve immediately — napkins highly recommended!

🧨 Optional Add-Ons:

• Burger sauce drizzle (mayo + ketchup + mustard + pickle juice)

• Caramelized onions instead of raw

• Use pretzel buns or garlic bread rolls for extra flair

Would you like a slider version, a slow cooker option, or a spicy chipotle twist on the BBQ sauce?