Looking for a crowd-pleasing dish that’s packed with flavor? These Whiskey Peach BBQ Meatballs combine the smoky kick of whiskey with the sweetness of peaches for a delicious twist on classic meatballs. Whether you’re serving them at a party, game day, or as a main dish over rice, these saucy meatballs will quickly become a favorite!

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• ½ lb (225 g) ground pork
• ½ cup (50 g) breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying, optional)

For the Whiskey Peach BBQ Sauce:

• 1 cup (240 ml) BBQ sauce
• ½ cup (120 ml) peach preserves
• ¼ cup (60 ml) whiskey
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

Directions

Make the meatballs

1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined.
2. Roll the mixture into 1-inch (2.5 cm) meatballs and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, cooking until browned on all sides (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels.

Prepare the whiskey peach BBQ sauce

4. In the same skillet, add the BBQ sauce, peach preserves, whiskey, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Combine and simmer

5. Add the browned meatballs to the sauce, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve

6. Serve warm as an appetizer with toothpicks or as a main dish over rice or mashed potatoes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

• Peach swap: If peach preserves aren’t available, apricot preserves or orange marmalade work well as substitutes.
• Alcohol-free option: For a non-alcoholic version, replace the whiskey with apple juice or water.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.
• Make-ahead: You can make the meatballs a day in advance and store them separately from the sauce. Combine and simmer before serving for the best flavor.

Conclusion

These Whiskey Peach BBQ Meatballs offer the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors. Ideal for any gathering, they’re easy to make yet taste gourmet. Give them a try for your next event—you’ll love how quickly they disappear!