Cozy Bourbon Glazed Meatballs Crockpot Recipe Easy and Perfect for Dinner
These bourbon glazed meatballs are a cozy, easy-to-make comfort meal perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends. Slow-cooked in a crockpot, they deliver a smoky, sweet, and tangy flavor that melts in your mouth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (low) or 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 20-24 meatballs (about 4-5 servings) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef (85% lean)
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk (dairy-free milk works too)
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) finely chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) bourbon
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, minced garlic, chopped onion, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined, about 5 minutes.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch (2.5 cm) meatballs, yielding about 20-24 meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet or plate.
- Optional: Brown the meatballs in a hot skillet with a little oil for about 2 minutes per side for extra texture.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together bourbon, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce (if using) until smooth and glossy, about 5 minutes.
- Place meatballs in the crockpot and pour the bourbon glaze evenly over them, stirring gently to coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until meatballs are tender and glaze is thickened and shiny. Avoid removing the lid frequently.
- If glaze is too thin after cooking, cook uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes to reduce.
- Gently stir to coat meatballs again and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Browning meatballs before slow cooking adds extra texture but is optional. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free crumbs. To avoid alcohol, replace bourbon with apple juice and vanilla extract. Avoid lifting the crockpot lid frequently to maintain heat. If glaze is too thin after cooking, reduce uncovered on high heat for 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 5 meatballs pe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Protein: 20
Keywords: bourbon glazed meatballs, crockpot meatballs, slow cooker meatballs, easy dinner, comfort food, bourbon glaze, party meatballs