Kitchen Divas

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Us
    • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Appetizer Recipes

    Bourbon Meatballs

    Published: Oct 21, 2024 · Modified: Jun 2, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Share
    Pin30
    Post
    Email
    Share
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Bourbon Meatballs make the perfect party appetizer—especially during the holidays! They're easy to make, and everything comes together in one pot. I love making these for Christmas Eve gatherings or just because! Packed with flavor and coated in a bold, balanced bourbon glaze, this is one of my favorite crockpot meatball appetizers.

    Bourbon meatballs in a crockpot with a wooden spoon grabbing some to take out.
    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Bourbon Meatball Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • How to Make Bourbon Meatballs in the Crock Pot
    • Storage Directions 
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Video
    • More Delicious Meatball Recipes
    • Crockpot Bourbon Meatballs

    The bourbon sauce is incredibly flavorful. BBQ sauce and chili sauce create a flavorful base, while honey and brown sugar add the perfect depth. As the bourbon cooks down, it leaves behind a rich flavor without having a strong liquor taste. It’s balanced and delicious!

    If you like recipes using bourbon and you've got some leftover, try these Bourbon Glazed Ham and Maple Bourbon Braided Salmon.

    Why You’ll Love This Bourbon Meatball Recipe

    • Perfect for prepping ahead: This recipe reheats beautifully and requires minimal steps, so you can make it ahead of time for easy party prep.
    • Great main course or appetizer: Enjoy these tasty meatballs for dinner with a delicious side or as an appetizer.
    • Budget-friendly: Affordable ingredients make this dish easy on your wallet and perfect for any occasion.

    Ingredients

    Below is everything you need to make a tasty bourbon sauce for the meatballs. It uses common everyday ingredients that are easy to find almost anywhere.

    Ingredients for bourbon meatballs arranged on a marble surface.
    • BBQ sauce: You can use any brand and variety of BBQ sauce you like. I keep it simple with an original smoky BBQ sauce, so the flavors of the other ingredients can shine.
    • Chili sauce: Choose a mild or spicy chili sauce depending on your preference. It adds tang and heat.
    • Honey: Not only does the honey add sweetness, but it also helps to thicken the glaze.
    • Dark brown sugar: I love the pronounced molasses flavor in dark brown sugar for depth. It also has subtle caramel notes that complement the bourbon.
    • Worcestershire sauce: This adds depth and umami flavor to the bourbon glaze to balance the sweetness and spice.
    • Roasted garlic: Depending on your local grocery store, you can purchase roasted garlic paste, garlic cloves, or other varieties. You may also roast fresh garlic in the oven instead.
    • Spices: I chose onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes for a touch of spice.
    • Bourbon whiskey: Use any bourbon whiskey that you prefer. The alcohol will be cooked down in the slow cooker.
    • Meatballs: I use frozen meatballs and thaw them first. I love the convenience of having meatballs that are already fully cooked because it saves time.

    See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

    Variations

    • Honey bourbon meatballs: Use your favorite variety of honey and omit the brown sugar for a stronger floral note.
    • Bourbon maple bacon meatballs: Try this recipe with maple syrup as the sweetener and add chopped bacon for a smoky and robust version.
    • Peach bourbon meatballs: Use a peach BBQ sauce or add peach preserves for a fruity flavor.

    How to Make Bourbon Meatballs in the Crock Pot

    Here is how to make these bourbon cocktail meatballs. It's an easy one-pot recipe that you don’t even need a bowl for. After just a few minutes of prep, your crock pot does the rest!

    BBQ sauce, chili sauce, honey, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, roasted garlic, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and pepper in a crockpot.

    Step 1: Make the sauce. Combine the BBQ sauce, chili sauce, honey, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, roasted garlic, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and pepper in the bottom of the slow cooker.

    Bourbon added to a BBQ sauce mixture in a crockpot.

    Step 2: Combine with bourbon. Stir the bourbon whiskey into the sauce.

    Meatballs coated in a bourbon BBQ sauce in a crockpot before cooking.

    Step 3: Add the meatballs. Add the meatballs and stir to fully coat them all in the sauce.

    Bourbon meatballs in a crockpot after cooking and garnished with parsley.

    Step 4: Cover and cook. Place the lid on the pot and cook the meatballs on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours.

    ⭐ Hint: Add bourbon to the sauce to taste. You may want to use a little less or a bit more depending on how prominent you want the flavor to be.

    If you love crock pot recipes like this one, you may also enjoy Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken and if your feeling more meatball recipes you need to try our Dr. Pepper Meatballs, Enchilada Meatballs or these Pineapple BBQ Meatballs!

    Three bourbon meatballs on a wooden spoon being taken out of a crockpot with the rest of the meatballs.

    Storage Directions 

    • Storing: Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place them in a resealable bag and flatten the bag to remove the air before sealing, and freeze for up to 4 months.
    • Reheating: For best results, place the meatballs in a Dutch oven and simmer until warm. Thaw them first if frozen!
    • Make Ahead: Prepare the bourbon glazed meatballs a day in advance and store your crock pot in the refrigerator. Heat them on low until warmed through and serve.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Serve these meatballs for dinner over Homemade Chicken Fried Rice or white rice.
    • Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts are a great vegetable side dish. The sweetness compliments the sauce well.
    • Make these bourbon glazed meatballs for your next holiday party. More appetizers to add to your spread are Tequila Lime Chicken Wings, Cocktail Seafood Salad, and Fried Pickle and Ranch Dip.
    A bourbon meatballs on a fork, garnished with parsley and other meatballs around it.

    Recipe Tips

    • Make a slurry to thicken the sauce: Whisk together cornstarch and cold water, and then mix into the bourbon sauce to thicken it. This is entirely based on your preference; I like the sauce without adding a slurry.
    • Stir gently during cooking: To ensure the meatballs cook evenly, stir once or twice during the cooking process.
    • Layer the ingredients evenly: Layer the meatballs and the sauce so that they are all submerged to ensure maximum flavor.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I use homemade meatballs?

    Yes! They need to be fully cooked before you add them to the sauce in the slow cooker.

    Can I make these in a Dutch oven?

    Of course. Prepare the sauce according to the directions and add it to the Dutch oven with the meatballs. Then, cover and simmer over low heat for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened. If your Dutch oven is oven-safe, you can place also it in a preheated 350°F oven for 45 minutes instead of cooking on the stovetop.

    Can I leave the meatballs frozen?

    I do not recommend cooking the meatballs from frozen. It adds extra moisture to the sauce, which makes it too thin.

    A fork grabbing a meatball from a white bowl filled with bourbon meatballs garnished with parsley.

    Video

    YouTube video

    More Delicious Meatball Recipes

    • Overhead photo of Olive Garden Meatballs topped with cheese and chopped herbs inside a skillet.
      Olive Garden Meatballs
    • Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
      Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
    • Smoked Meatballs
    • A fork full of meatballs and pasta.
      Alfredo Meatballs

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    A wooden spoon grabbing three bourbon meatballs from a crockpot with the rest of the meatballs.

    Crockpot Bourbon Meatballs

    Karin and Ken
    These Bourbon Meatballs make a great dinner or appetizer that's cooked entirely in the crock pot. They're coated in a thick bourbon sauce that's delightfully savory with a spicy kick.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 4 hours hrs
    Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 416 kcal

    Equipment

    • 6 quart crock pot
    • spatula or spoon
    • Measuring cups and spoons

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups your favorite BBQ sauce
    • ¼ cup chili sauce
    • ¼ cup honey
    • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar packed
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • ½ tablespoon minced roasted garlic
    • 2 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 cup bourbon whisky
    • 2 pounds pre-made fully cooked meatballs if frozen, thaw
    • Parsley chopped (optional garnish)
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Make the sauce. In the basin of a 6 quart (or larger) crockpot use a spatula or spoon to stir together the BBQ sauce, chili sauce, honey, dark brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, roasted garlic, onion powder, red pepper flakes and pepper.
    • Add the bourbon. Once well combined, stir in your bourbon to taste. (Note: I used a full cup but you can use less or more to meet your taste.)
    • Add the meatballs. Add the meatballs into the sauce and stir well, making sure to coat each meatball in the sauce.
    • Cook. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
    • Stir and garnish. Stir before garnishing with parsley and serve while warm.

    Video

    Notes

    • Make a slurry to thicken the sauce: Whisk together cornstarch and cold water, and then mix into the bourbon sauce to thicken it. This is entirely based on your preference; I like the sauce without adding a slurry.
    • Stir gently during cooking: To ensure the meatballs cook evenly, stir once or twice during the cooking process.
    • Layer the ingredients evenly: Layer the meatballs and the sauce so that they are all submerged to ensure maximum flavor.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 416kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 20gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 764mgPotassium: 522mgFiber: 1gSugar: 31gVitamin A: 263IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword bourbon meatballs, crockpot bourbon meatballs, slow cooker bourbon meatballs
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Share
    Pin30
    Post
    Email
    Share

    More Appetizer Recipes

    • Rhubarb simple syrup in a jar with a spoon scooping some out.
      Rhubarb Simple Syrup
    • Big mac egg rolls cut in half and stacked on top a pile of others.
      Big Mac Egg Rolls
    • Cold asparagus salad on a plate with spoonful held above it.
      Easy Cold Asparagus Salad
    • A spoon scooping some enchilada meatballs.
      Enchilada Meatballs

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

    More about us

    Most Popular Recipes!

    • A fork holding pieces steak in crockpot next to mashed potatoes on a white plate, garnished with chopped herbs.
      Ribeye Steak in Crockpot
    • Air Fryer Haddock
    • A slice with a fork in it.
      Easy Hobo Casserole
    • A rack of beef ribs in the oven on a piece of parchment brushed with bbq sauce.
      The Best Beef Ribs Recipe

    Discover More Dinner Recipes ➡️

    Summer Favorites

    • A plate of pancake batter fried fish with sauce on the side garnished with lemon slices.
      Pancake Batter Fried Fish
    • A slice of Oreo delight on a white plate garnished with an Oreo cookie.
      No-Bake Oreo Delight
    • A slice of Funfetti ice cream cake on a blue plate.
      Funfetti Ice Cream Cake for Birthdays & More
    • A crispy fried tomato cut it half stacked on top of one other.
      Crispy Fried Tomatoes

    More Easter Sweet Treats and Side Dishes ➡️

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Us

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Kitchen Divas All Rights Reserved