Bourbon BBQ Bison Meatballs
Deliciously tender bison {or beef} meatballs baked in the oven then simmered in a homemade bourbon BBQ sauce. The perfect appetizer for the holidays, football Sunday or anytime you're craving good meatballs!
Equipment
Ingredients
Bison Meatballs
- 1 pound ground bison
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ yellow onion, grated
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 egg
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- optional garnish: chopped chives
Bourbon BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup bourbon
- ¼ cup beef broth
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
- 1 teaspoon each garlic powder and onion powder
- ½ teaspoon each chili powder and paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Grease an oven-proof skillet with olive oil.
- In a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients except for the olive oil and chives. Use your hands to mix until combined.
- Roll 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture into a ball and place into the skillet. Repeat with the remaining meat.
- Bake for 20 minutes until the tops of the meatballs are lightly browned.
- While the meatballs bake, mix together the Bourbon BBQ Sauce ingredients.
- Remove the meatballs from the oven and pour the sauce over the top. Gently mix to combine. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken and caramelize.
- If desired, transfer to a slow cooker to keep warm and garnish with chopped chives.
Notes
How to cook meatballs on the stove-top: Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a skillet (adding more as needed) over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning the meatballs once they are browned. Cook until no longer pink in the center.
If you don't have an oven-proof skillet: Line a baking sheet with tinfoil then drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the meatballs and bake. Transfer the cooked meatballs and BBQ sauce to a pot or pan on simmer on the stove over low heat for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
Nutritional information is automatically calculated by a third party software and is only an estimate, not a guarantee. This information is provided as courtesy, and you are solely responsible for all decisions related to your health.
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