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Savory Slow Cooker Bourbon Meatballs Easy Brown Sugar Soy Glaze Recipe

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These savory slow cooker bourbon meatballs feature a sticky, sweet brown sugar soy glaze with a subtle boozy warmth. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or gatherings, they are tender, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (80% lean)
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion (sweet onion preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water (for thickening glaze)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, milk, beaten egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined, about 5 minutes.
  2. Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, about the size of a golf ball, yielding roughly 24 meatballs. Place on a baking sheet or plate.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, bourbon, rice vinegar, and grated ginger until sugar dissolves. Set aside.
  4. Optional: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides for 2-3 minutes per batch. Transfer meatballs to the slow cooker.
  5. Pour the prepared glaze over the meatballs in the slow cooker and gently stir to coat evenly.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F and are tender.
  7. About 20 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker, cover, and cook on HIGH until the glaze thickens, about 15-20 minutes.
  8. Gently stir to coat meatballs in the glossy glaze. Transfer to a serving dish and serve warm.

Notes

Browning the meatballs before slow cooking is optional but adds flavor and seals in juices. Adjust sweetness or acidity of the glaze by tasting before adding. Use gluten-free soy sauce and breadcrumbs for gluten-free version. Substitute bourbon with apple cider or extra soy sauce if avoiding alcohol. Add crushed red pepper flakes or jalapeños for a spicy kick. Do not add cornstarch slurry too early to avoid gluey glaze.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker meatballs, bourbon meatballs, brown sugar soy glaze, easy meatball recipe, party appetizers, comfort food

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/savory-slow-cooker-bourbon-meatballs-easy-brown-sugar-soy-glaze-recipe/