Deliciously tender bison meatballs are baked in the oven and simmered in a homemade bourbon BBQ sauce. The sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy with bold, smoky flavors. Enjoy them as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or serve them on a hoagie bun with coleslaw for a delicious meal!
This post is sponsored by The Honest Bison, who I am so excited to partner with! The recipe, photographs, thoughts, and opinions are all my own.
Bourbon BBQ Bison Meatballs are perfect for when you need a quick and easy but delicious appetizer! They are low-effort and bake in the oven, requiring minimal hands-on cooking.
Although they're a crowd-pleaser, you don't need to wait for a party to serve these meatballs! They're delicious served as is, over mashed potatoes or inside a hoagie roll with tangy coleslaw.
If you're looking for more bison recipes, you have to try my Carne Asada Bison Tacos a try next! They're absolutely amazing - the bison steak is so tender and flavorful! My Red Wine Braised Bison Short Ribs and Grilled Bison Tomahawk Steak with Chimichurri Butter are also chef's kiss!
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Let's talk bison
Bison has a clean, slightly sweet taste that pairs perfectly with Bourbon BBQ Sauce! It's a lean red meat that's high in vitamins and minerals and often nutritionally superior to beef. I recommend bison for this recipe, but you can substitute ground beef.
If you're looking to give bison a try, I can't say enough good things about The Honest Bison. They raise 100% grass-fed bison that you can order online and have shipped right to your front door. They also sells grass-fed beef, lamb, pork, and venison.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Tender and flavorful. Made with ground bison, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, and some simple seasoning. They're super tender, flavorful, and delicious.
- Simple homemade bourbon BBQ sauce. BBQ sauce is actually really easy to make at home using ingredients you likely already have on hand. It's a touch sweet, a little tangy, and bourbon adds extra depth of flavor.
- Delicious appetizer. Everyone loves BBQ meatballs! This is a great appetizer for the holidays, football Sunday, or really any day of the week. The meatballs can be kept warm in the slow cooker.
Ingredient substitutions and variations
- Ground bison: I like to use The Honest Bison Bison Heart & Liver Ground Blend, but you can also use regular ground bison or ground beef.
- Breadcrumbs: I use plain traditional breadcrumbs, but you can substitute panko breadcrumbs.
- Yellow onion: Yellow onion adds a little touch of sweetness to the actual meatballs, but a white onion would work too.
- Bourbon: Bourbon adds complexity, smokiness, and a touch of sweetness to the BBQ sauce, but you can replace it with your favorite whiskey or brandy. For a non-alcoholic option, substitute more beef broth.
- This recipe hasn't been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you make any changes or additions, I'd love to hear how it turned out—drop a comment below!
This recipe hasn't been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you make any changes or additions, I'd love to hear how it turned out—drop a comment below!
How to make baked bison meatballs
See recipe card for full instructions.
- Step 1: Mix ground bison with breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, and a few simple seasonings. Mix together until just combined (overmixing can result in tough meatballs).
- Step 2: Roll 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture into a ball and place into the skillet. Repeat with the remaining meat. Bake for 20 minutes until the tops of the meatballs are lightly browned.
- Step 3: Remove the meatballs from the oven and pour the homemade BBQ sauce over the top. Gently mix to combine. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken and caramelize.
Expert tips
- Don't overmix the meatballs. Once you add breadcrumbs, egg and seasoning to the meat, mix with your hands until just combined. Overmixing the meat can result in tough meatballs.
- Perfectly sized meatballs. I love using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop for this! It makes the process so quick and simple. Scoop the mixture and roll into balls.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, bison can be a healthier option when compared to beef because it has less fat, more protein, and is high in vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and B vitamins.
Bison has a very clean, slightly sweet taste and zero gamey flavor. You don't need to add a lot of seasoning to bison. To make bison meatballs, I like to keep it simple with onion, garlic, and a few simple spices like chili powder and allspice.
Bison meatballs are considered fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F as measured with a meat thermometer and is the best way to ensure they are cooked through without overcooking them.
Make ahead
This is a great make ahead recipe if you're planning to serve the meatballs for a party! Follow the instructions in the recipe card, then store in an airtight storage container in the fridge overnight. Reheat the meatballs in the oven, on the stove, or in the crockpot until warm. Add an extra splash of beef broth or water if needed to thin out the sauce.
Storage instructions
Transfer leftover meatballs to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Reheat the meatballs on the stove, in the oven, or in the microwave until warmed through. If the BBQ sauce thickens up too much, add a little beef broth or water.
Freezing instructions
Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
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Bourbon BBQ Bison Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
Bison Meatballs
- 1 pound ground bison
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ yellow onion grated
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 egg
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- chopped chives optional garnish
Bourbon BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup bourbon
- ¼ cup beef broth
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Grease an oven-proof skillet with olive oil.
- In a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients except for the olive oil and chives. Use your hands to mix until combined.
- Roll 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture into a ball and place into the skillet. Repeat with the remaining meat.
- Bake for 20 minutes until the tops of the meatballs are lightly browned.
- While the meatballs bake, mix together the Bourbon BBQ Sauce ingredients.
- Remove the meatballs from the oven and pour the sauce over the top. Gently mix to combine. Return to the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the sauce beings to thicken and caramelize.
- If desired, transfer to a slow cooker to keep warm. Garnish with chopped chives before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated by a third party software and is only an estimate, not a guarantee. This information is provided as a courtesy, and you are solely responsible for all decisions related to your health.
Rachel Kochlin
These bison meatballs are incredibly tender and flavorful, and the homemade bourbon BBQ sauce takes them to the next level! The sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy with bold, smoky flavors. Enjoy them as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or serve them on a hoagie bun with coleslaw for a delicious meal! Enjoy! - Rachel