Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Subs (Print Format)
Juicy meatballs, bourbon BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, and cheddar fill golden sub rolls for a bold, satisfying meal.
# Ingredients:
→ Meatball ingredients
01 -
1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
02 -
1 cup breadcrumbs
03 -
1 egg
04 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 -
1 teaspoon onion powder
06 -
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 -
½ teaspoon salt
08 -
¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Cooking and assembly ingredients
09 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
10 -
1 cup bourbon BBQ sauce
11 -
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
12 -
4 sub rolls
13 -
8 slices crispy bacon
# Steps:
01 -
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix gently without overworking the meat.
02 -
Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs, yielding around 16-20 pieces. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides in batches. Do not fully cook at this stage.
03 -
Return all browned meatballs to the skillet and pour bourbon BBQ sauce over them. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring gently.
04 -
Slice each sub roll lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Place on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 5 minutes until golden and slightly crunchy.
05 -
Fill each toasted roll with 4-5 meatballs, top with bourbon BBQ sauce, and sprinkle with ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Add two slices of crispy bacon on each sub. Return to the oven for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
06 -
Serve immediately with additional bourbon BBQ sauce for dipping. Enjoy fresh and hot for the best flavor.
# Tips:
01 -
For a vegetarian option, substitute meatballs with plant-based alternatives and use vegetarian BBQ sauce.