Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs – Easy Tips

Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs

This recipe brings together the flavors of a smoky barbecue bacon cheeseburger in the form of juicy meatballs. In this first part, you will prepare and cook the meatballs so they are tender, well-seasoned, and ready to be coated in sauce later.

Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs – Easy Tips

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If you’re wondering what to cook tonight, these loaded meatball subs hit every comfort food craving.
Juicy beef meatballs in smoky bourbon BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar — better than takeout.

Ingredients

Meatballs

1 lb ground beef (80/20)

1 cup breadcrumbs

1 egg

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce & Toppings

1 cup bourbon BBQ sauce

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

4 sub rolls

8 slices crispy bacon

Instructions

 Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for toasting the sub rolls and melting the cheese later.

 In a large bowl combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.

 Shape the mixture into 16–20 meatballs, about 1½ inches each.

 Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides for 5–7 minutes.

 Pour the bourbon BBQ sauce over the meatballs. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the meatballs are fully cooked and coated in the sauce.

 Slice the sub rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Place them on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 5 minutes until lightly crisp.

 Place 4–5 meatballs into each toasted sub roll. Spoon extra bourbon BBQ sauce over the meatballs.

• Author: mia recipe

Ingredients for the meatballs

• 500 g ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparing the mixture
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, and milk. Add the minced garlic, chopped onion, crumbled bacon, ketchup, and mustard. Season with salt and black pepper. Mix gently until everything is just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the meatballs dense.

Shaping the meatballs
Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about the size of a golf ball. This helps them cook evenly and fit well into the sub rolls later.

Cooking the meatballs
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of oil. Place the meatballs in the pan, leaving space between them. Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally so they brown on all sides and cook through.

Building flavor
As the meatballs cook, the bacon and beef release flavor while the outside develops a rich, browned crust. This step is important for adding depth before the sauce is introduced.

Once cooked, transfer the meatballs to a plate and set aside.

Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs 

Now that the meatballs are cooked and full of savory flavor, the next step is to prepare the bourbon barbecue sauce and begin assembling the subs. This is where the dish gets its signature smoky-sweet richness.

Ingredients for the bourbon BBQ sauce

• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 2 to 3 tablespoons bourbon (or apple juice as a non-alcoholic substitute)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 small clove garlic, minced

For assembling

• 4 to 6 sub rolls or hoagie rolls
• 4 to 6 slices cheddar cheese (or American cheese)
• Extra cooked bacon, chopped (optional)

Making the bourbon BBQ sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine barbecue sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and minced garlic. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until slightly thickened. The sauce should become glossy and rich.

Coating the meatballs
Add the cooked meatballs to the saucepan and gently toss them in the sauce until fully coated. Let them simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes so they absorb the flavor.

Preparing the rolls
Slice the sub rolls lengthwise, being careful not to cut all the way through. Lightly toast them in the oven or on a skillet for added structure and warmth.

Melting the cheese
Place a slice of cheese inside each roll and warm them briefly so the cheese starts to melt and soften.