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Savory Bourbon Brown Sugar Meatballs with Spicy Sriracha Glaze

bourbon brown sugar meatballs - featured image
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These meatballs combine smoky bourbon warmth, brown sugar sweetness, and a spicy sriracha glaze for an unforgettable party bite that’s quick and easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • ½ lb ground pork
  • ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • ¼ cup bourbon
  • ¾ cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ small onion, finely grated or minced
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • ⅓ cup sriracha
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or neutral oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated onion, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour in bourbon and mix gently but thoroughly with your hands or a spatula, being careful not to overwork the meat.
  4. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls, about 20-24 meatballs total.
  5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides for 3-4 minutes, then transfer them to the baking sheet.
  6. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature should reach 160°F / 71°C).
  7. While the meatballs bake, whisk together sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
  8. Remove meatballs from the oven, transfer to a large bowl, and pour the warm sriracha glaze over them. Toss gently to coat.
  9. Serve immediately on a platter with toothpicks.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat mixture to avoid rubbery texture. Browning the meatballs before baking adds flavor and texture. If glaze thickens too much, add a splash of water to loosen. Adjust sriracha amount to control spice level. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives. For milder glaze, reduce sriracha or add more honey.

Nutrition

Keywords: bourbon meatballs, brown sugar meatballs, spicy sriracha glaze, party appetizers, easy meatballs, smoky meatballs, sweet and spicy meatballs

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/savory-bourbon-brown-sugar-meatballs-with-spicy-sriracha-glaze-recipe-for-easy-party-bites/