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The Boat Shed Kitchen

Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs

These Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs are the perfect mix of smoky, savory, and cheesy. With juicy homemade meatballs simmered in rich bourbon BBQ sauce, topped with cheddar and crispy bacon, then loaded into warm sub rolls, every bite feels indulgent—but they’re surprisingly easy to make in under an hour.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 620
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup bourbon BBQ sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 sub rolls
  • 8 slices crispy bacon

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large bowl, mix beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Form into 1.5-inch meatballs (about 16–20).
  4. Heat oil in a skillet. Brown meatballs on all sides for 5–7 minutes.
  5. Pour in BBQ sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
  6. While simmering, toast sub rolls in the oven for 5 minutes.
  7. See full steps with tips & photos → https://theboatshedcafe.com/bourbon-bbq-bacon-cheeseburger-meatball-subs/

Notes

  • Use pre-cooked bacon to save time, or bake bacon strips in the oven while you prep the meatballs.
  • Any smoky BBQ sauce works, but bourbon BBQ adds deeper flavor.
  • For smaller portions, use slider rolls and fewer meatballs per sandwich.