Bacon Bourbon Keto Meatballs

Name: Bacon Bourbon Keto Meatballs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 min
Yield: 48
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 6 slices bacon, diced; 1/4 cup minced or finely diced onion; 1 cup ground pork rinds; 1/3 cup sugar-free BBQ Sauce, homemade or store bought; 1/4 cup bourbon; 1/4 cup minced parsley; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 cup sugar-free BBQ Sauce, homemade or store bought; 1/4 cup water; 2 tablespoons bourbon

by KetoFocus.com

4.8 Stars (4 Reviews) 3 Comments

Jump to the Recipe

This low carb appetizer is a crowd favorite. Whether it's game day, a potluck or you are ringing in the New Year, these bacon bourbon keto meatballs are mouthwatering flavor combination of whiskey, bbq sauce and bacon! Pop them in an air fryer for a simple snack in minutes or bake in your oven.

pouring bbq sauce on top of air fryer meatballs

juicy keto meatballs on topped with parsley

overhead view of saucy meatballs on a cocktail serving plate

plate of low carb meatbals with bbq sauce drizzled on top

16 Mins

Nutrition Facts

Servings

Calories

2.8g

Fat

2.7g

Protein

0.5g

Net Carb

0.6g

Total Carbs

Bacon Bourbon Keto Meatballs Recipe Video

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Meatballs Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
6 slices bacon, diced
1/4 cup minced or finely diced onion
1 cup ground pork rinds
1/3 cup sugar-free BBQ Sauce, homemade or store bought
1/4 cup bourbon
1/4 cup minced parsley
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper

Bourbon BBQ Sauce Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar-free BBQ Sauce, homemade or store bought
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons bourbon

Bacon Bourbon Keto Meatballs Directions

STEP

1

Add ingredients

Add all ingredients for meatballs into a large bowl.
STEP

2

Mix it

Mix with a spoon or clean hands until fully combined.
STEP

3

Make meat balls

Roll into balls that are about 1 inch thick in diameter.
STEP

4

Air Fryer Instructions

Place meatballs in an even single layer on the air fryer tray or basket. Air fryer at 400 degrees for 6 minutes.
STEP

5

Now the sauce

To make the sauce, add bbq sauce, water and bourbon to a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until sauce is thickened (about 10 minutes). Drizzle sauce over meatballs.
STEP

6

Oven Instructions

Place meatballs in an even layer on a parchment or foil lined baking tray. Bake at 400 degrees for 9-12 minutes.
STEP

7

Freezer Instructions

Place uncooked meatballs in a single layer in a freezer safe bag. Freeze to use later. To cook, thaw out the night before and cook as instructed above.

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Low Carb Bacon Bourbon Meatballs

whiskey bbq sauce dripping of a plate of meatballs

Bacon bourbon keto meatballs are juicy and have a deliciously complex flavor profile. These low carb appetizers contain bacon, whiskey and BBQ sauce. With a combination like that, they were meant to be served an your tailgating or Super Bowl party. Drizzle with a tangy BBQ bourbon sauce and this keto snack is sure to disappear fast!

bourbon meatballs with a bottle of whiskey in the background

Besides being the ultimate meatball that every guy dreams about, these keto meatballs are easy to make and you can cook them in the air fryer or bake them in the oven. Either way, you will be popping these beefy bacon balls into belly in no time!

pulling cooked meatballs out of the air fryer

Air Fryer Meatballs

I am a huge fan of cooking meatballs in the air fryer. Not only do they cook up quickly, but the air fryer produces very juicy meatballs.

It’s important to place your keto meatballs in a single layer on the air fryer tray or basket. Space them about 1/2 inch about. Crowding the air fryer with meatballs will create issues with evenly cooking your appetizer all the way.

For an air fryer to work properly, there should be even air flow surrounding the entire item of food.

Oven Instructions

If you don’t own an air fryer, you can bake these keto bacon bourbon meatballs in the oven. Simply arrange your meatballs on a parchment or foil lined baking tray. Space them about an inch apart. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 9 to 13 minutes.

Your whiskey meatballs will take longer to cook but you can cook more of them at a time compared to your air fryer which can only hold so many meatballs as it has a smaller tray or frying space.

Is Bourbon Keto?

Yes! Bourbon or whiskey is keto approved. The majority of hard liquors are considered low carb. In fact, whiskey contains zero net carbs per serving! Not only can you enjoy a shot or two of whiskey in your cocktail but bourbon can be used to cook with as well. It imparts a delicious flavor in your keto recipes.

If you are in the California area, I highly recommend you check out Denny Bar Distillery. Their Roosevelt Rye Whiskey is 4 year old rye whiskey and works perfectly in this recipe.

Keto BBQ Sauce

It’s important that you are using a low sugar BBQ sauce in this keto meatball recipe. This keto BBQ sauce is easy to make so you could throw it together in a few minutes before to prep your bacon meatballs.

If you don’t want to make your own, you may be able to find a low sugar BBQ at your grocery store. Primal Kitchens and Lillie’s Q make low carb barbeque sauces. These are good options to have on hand and can be used in some of my other BBQ recipes, like BBQ Cheeseburger Meatloaf and BBQ Chicken.

keto bbq sauce in a small bowl with a basting brush near

Make Ahead Meatballs

If you are needing a keto appetizer that you can make ahead, then add this bacon bourbon keto meatballs to your list. These meatballs can be made ahead of time and stored uncooked in the freezer until the night before you want to serve them.

When you want to cook them, thaw them out in the refrigerator the night before. Then bake as instructed above either in the air fryer or the oven.

Bacon Bourbon Keto Meatballs: FAQS

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef for these meatballs?

Absolutely! Ground turkey can be a great substitute for ground beef. Just keep in mind that the flavor will be a bit different, and you might want to adjust the seasoning slightly to enhance the taste.

How can I store leftover meatballs?

You can store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them for up to 3 months!

What can I use instead of pork rinds for a keto-friendly option?

If you don't have pork rinds, you can use crushed almonds or almond flour as a substitute. Just make sure to adjust the quantity to maintain the right consistency!

Is it possible to make these meatballs without bourbon?

Yes, you can skip the bourbon if you prefer. You can replace it with a little beef broth or apple cider vinegar to maintain some moisture and flavor.

Can I bake these meatballs instead of using an air fryer?

Definitely! Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the meatballs on a lined baking sheet for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through.

Nutritional information & Macros

Amount Per Serving
Calories	42
Fat	2.8g
Protein	2.7g
Total Carbs	0.6g
Net Carbs	0.5g

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