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Keto Bacon Bourbon Meatballs

A wonderful combination of bacon, beef, and bourbon. These keto bacon bourbon meatballs are delicious and create a new taste combination you’ll love!

Keto Bacon Bourbon Meatballs

WHAT ARE KETO BACON BOURBON MEATBALLS?

Keto bacon bourbon meatballs are meatballs made of ground beef and bacon. They are topped with a sweet and tangy bourbon glaze, giving them their delicious title.

These meatballs are easy to make, delicious to eat, and are sure to be a delicious meal any time of the year. They are perfect to eat alone or with any number of delicious side dishes.

KETO BACON BOURBON MEATBALL INGREDIENTS

Before you try and make these delicious meatballs, make sure you have the following ingredients on hand first.

For the meatballs…

  • 1 lbs ground beef
  • 1/4 lbs bacon, finely chopped
  • 1 cups pork rind breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 onion, minced
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • fresh ground black pepper

For the bourbon glaze…

After you have everything, you are set and ready to cook!

HOW TO MAKE BACON BOURBON MEATBALLS

  1. Combine all meatball ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well
  2. Using a cookie scoop (or better yet, your hands) form meatballs out of the meat mixture
  3. Place the meatballs in a skillet or 10″ cast iron skillet and cook over medium heat
  4. As the meatballs get done, remove them from the skillet and place onto a plate with a paper towel
  5. While the meatballs are finishing, place all of the bourbon glaze ingredients in a small saucepan
  6. Bring to a boil until the bourbon smell dissipates and the sauce begins to thicken
  7. Glaze the meatballs by placing them back into the skillet and pouring glaze overtop
  8. Chow down and enjoy!

CHOOSING A GOOD BACON

There are several types of bacon you might consider using for this recipe. Most grocery stores only carry a handful of bacon types.

The most common type of bacon found in stores is side bacon, which is bacon taken from the pork belly. You can normally find this in thin or thick slices in the meat section of any grocery store or supermarket.

You might also be able to find slab bacon, which is bacon that has been smoked and cured, but not sliced. If you have access to this type, this is another great option as you can easily cut it into small pieces before adding them to the ground beef mixture.

There is also the Italian version of bacon (pancetta), which is usually very thinly sliced and has a strong flavor. This makes great bacon to use in this recipe as well.

Keto Bacon Bourbon Meatballs

DO I HAVE TO USE BOURBON IN THIS RECIPE?

Well, technically, no you don’t, but it definitely helps make this recipe what it is and set the flavors apart. If you’re worried about the alcohol content of using bourbon, read below for information about what happens to alcohol in liquor when cooked.

Otherwise, if you don’t have bourbon on hand perhaps, you could substitute in a Scotch whiskey if you have it.

If you don’t have bourbon nor a Scotch replacement, then leaving out the bourbon won’t ruin the recipe.

However, we promise using bourbon will make these meatballs amazing!

WON’T THE MEATBALLS HAVE ALCOHOL IN THEM?

No, they won’t. Alcohol evaporates at 172˚F, so the alcohol present in the bourbon will cook off rather quickly.

Using liquor in any cooking recipe isn’t for the alcohol, but rather the taste of whatever liquor you may be cooking with. In this case, we are aiming for the dark flavor of bourbon in the meatball glaze.

CHOOSING A GOOD BOURBON

Choosing a good bourbon is imperative to creating a delicious cocktail. Not sure where to start with the seemingly endless choices?

Here are some tidbits of info to get you started.

FLAVORED BOURBON = BAD IDEA

To start, steer clear of any flavored bourbon you may see in your local liquor store. Flavored bourbons sound good in theory, especially when the flavor compliments whatever you might be using it in.

Some flavored bourbons contain lots of added ingredients, along with the one ingredient you are trying to steer clear of; sugar.

HIGHER PRICE ACTUALLY MEANS HIGHER QUALITY

While there is nothing wrong with lower cost liquors, choosing ones that are higher in price is a good idea. You truly do get what you pay for and that can go a long way when it comes to a delicious recipe.

So, opting for a more expensive bourbon can make this bourbon meatball recipe all the much better.

STORING BACON BOURBON MEATBALLS

Storing your leftover bacon bourbon meatballs is super easy and simple!

As we always suggest, use glass storage containers for containers that are not only versatile but can be used in the oven as well.

Obviously, you can use whatever storage containers you may have on hand.

Place the leftovers into the refrigerator where they can stay for 3 – 4 days. If you don’t eat them within that timeframe, it’s probably best to discard them.

Keto Bacon Bourbon Meatballs

REHEATING KETO BACON BOURBON MEATBALLS

There are two main methods by which you should reheat your meatball leftovers. We quickly discuss both of these methods below so you can enjoy your leftovers for another meal!

IN THE OVEN

The best (though not the quickest) way to reheat your meatballs is in the oven. Using an oven to reheat meat is the best way since it heats slower. This helps to not dry out the meat and helps the meat be juicier.

Preheat your oven to 350˚F and place whatever leftovers you want to reheat inside. Heat for 10 minutes before removing to check the temperature of the leftovers. Continue to heat until the desired temperature is reached.

IN THE MICROWAVE

The obvious method is to use the microwave. It will get the meatballs warm quickly and you’ll be ready to eat in no time. However, anytime you microwave meat, you are running the risk of making the meat tough and drying it out.

Microwave your leftovers in 30-second increments until they reach your desired temperature. Eat and enjoy!

WHAT TO EAT WITH KETO BACON BOURBON MEATBALLS

Even though these meatballs are delicious on their own, every great meal needs a good side dish and/or dessert to make it complete.

If you’re looking to make this more of a meal, here are some ideas of other recipes to pair with this dish.

For more ideas, you can check out our recipe index or check out all of our side dish recipes.

TOOLS TO MAKE KETO BACON BOURBON MEATBALLS

Click on the links to see the items used in making this recipe. You can also find these products linked in the recipe below.

  • Cookie Scoop – It may seem like it’s only useable for a single purpose, but cookie scoops come in hand in the kitchen all the time. When making meatballs, cookie scoops are the perfect utensil to help you form the perfect meatball. If you bake often, you probably have one lying around. Otherwise, do yourself a favor and get a cookie scoop ASAP!
  • Cast Iron Skillet – Cast iron cookware is some of the most versatile yet durable cookware on the planet. A cast-iron skillet provides more depth than comparable cookware, allowing for plenty of room to stir and cook. Ten inches is a great size, too, and is the size we recommend in a lot of our recipes that utilize cast iron cookware. If you don’t have a piece of cast iron, why not invest in one?
Keto Bacon Bourbon Meatballs


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Keto Bacon Bourbon Meatballs

Keto Bacon Bourbon Meatballs

Yield: 7 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

A wonderful combination of bacon, beef, and bourbon. These keto bacon bourbon meatballs are delicious and create a new taste combination you'll love!

Ingredients

For the meatballs...

  • 1 lbs ground beef
  • 1/4 lbs bacon, finely chopped
  • 1 cups pork rind breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 onion, minced
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • fresh ground black pepper

For the bourbon glaze...

Instructions

  1. Combine all meatball ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well
  2. Using a cookie scoop (or better yet, your hands) form meatballs out of the meat mixture
  3. Place the meatballs in a skillet or 10" cast iron skillet and cook over medium heat
  4. As the meatballs get done, remove them from the skillet and place onto a plate with a paper towel
  5. While the meatballs are finishing, place all of the bourbon glaze ingredients in a small saucepan
  6. Bring to a boil until the bourbon smell dissipates and the sauce begins to thicken
  7. Glaze the meatballs by placing them back into the skillet and pouring glaze overtop
  8. Chow down and enjoy!

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information
Yield 7 Serving Size 3 meatballs
Amount Per Serving Calories 223Total Fat 11.5gCarbohydrates 1.5gProtein 26.5g

MADE THIS RECIPE?

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Carol Ann

Sunday 4th of August 2019

Could this recipe be made into a meatloaf? Seems easier than making all those meatballs.

Logan Childress

Sunday 4th of August 2019

Carol,

You could make this into a meatloaf if you wanted. If you try it, let me know how it goes!

Alyssa

Tuesday 12th of March 2019

Is the bacon raw when you mix the meatball ingredients?

Logan Childress

Tuesday 12th of March 2019

Alyssa,

Yes it is. It will cook in the meatballs just like the rest of the meat.

Lacey

Tuesday 22nd of January 2019

Make!

Jennie L. Heater

Monday 1st of October 2018

Thought I had already joined this before, because I am getting some recipes, but don’t know if I’m getting all of them

Logan Childress

Monday 1st of October 2018

Jennie,

Please send an email to [email protected] and we can check your subscription status.

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