Bourbon BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Subs (Print-Friendly Version)

Beef meatballs, smoky BBQ, crispy bacon, and cheddar melt together in bourbon-glazed toasted subs.

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
05 - 2 tablespoons bourbon
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - Salt to taste
08 - Pepper to taste
09 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
11 - 4 sub rolls
12 - Additional BBQ sauce for serving

# Steps:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, BBQ sauce, bourbon, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
03 - Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
04 - Shape the meat mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
06 - While the meatballs are baking, slice the sub rolls in half and toast them in the oven.
07 - Once the meatballs are done, assemble the subs by placing a few meatballs in each toasted sub roll.
08 - Drizzle additional BBQ sauce on top of the meatballs and serve hot.

# Notes:

01 - For best results, use 80/20 ground beef for optimal flavor and moisture.
02 - Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
03 - Cook bacon until crispy but not burned for best texture.
04 - Meatballs can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.
05 - Serve immediately while cheese is melty and bread is crispy.

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