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Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs

Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs That Wow

Irresistible Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs that combine juicy meatballs, smoky BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, and melted cheese for a delightful handheld comfort food.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 subs
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb Ground Beef Optionally substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
  • 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
  • 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Can be replaced with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free variant.
  • 1 Egg Adjust cooking time if using egg substitutes.
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Onion Green onions or shallots can be substituted for a different flavor.
  • 2 cloves Minced Garlic Garlic powder may be used as a substitute.
For the Sauce
  • 1/4 cup Bourbon Can replace with other whiskey, apple cider, or vegetable broth for non-alcoholic options.
  • 1/2 cup BBQ Sauce Use homemade or low-sugar BBQ for healthier alternatives.
For Assembly
  • 6 strips Cooked Crumbled Bacon For a vegetarian option, consider crispy onion straws or plant-based bacon.
  • 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese Try Monterey Jack or a dairy-free cheese alternative.
  • 4 rolls Sub Rolls Whole grain or gluten-free rolls can be utilized.
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil Any neutral oil works for sautéing.
  • Salt and Pepper Adjust seasoning based on personal taste.

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Skillet
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Gather all ingredients.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
  3. Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs, about 18 to 20 total.
  4. Brown the meatballs in a skillet with olive oil for 5–7 minutes until golden.
  5. Deglaze skillet with bourbon, then add BBQ sauce and let simmer until thickened.
  6. Coat the browned meatballs in the BBQ sauce and place them in an oven-safe dish.
  7. Bake meatballs in the oven for 10–12 minutes until cooked through.
  8. Slice sub rolls open lengthwise and fill each with meatballs and BBQ sauce.
  9. Top with crumbled bacon and cheddar cheese.
  10. Return to oven for 3–5 minutes until cheese is melted.
  11. Add fresh toppings as desired and serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1subCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 36gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 1200mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 600IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 4mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Unbaked meatballs can be frozen for up to 3 months.

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