Easy Brown Sugar Bacon Meatballs Recipe
Buckle up for some meatball madness, people! This isn’t your grandma’s meatball recipe (unless your grandma’s super cool and adds bacon and brown sugar… then, high five to your grandma!). We’re talking juicy, savory meatballs, kissed with the smoky goodness of bacon and then slathered in a sweet and tangy brown sugar glaze. It’s the kind of thing that disappears in minutes. Trust me on this.
So, I wasn’t always a meatball believer, but then I made these. Seriously, the first time I whipped these up, my husband, Mark, pretty much inhaled half the batch straight from the pan. I swear, he almost burned his tongue off, but he just kept shoveling them in! Now, whenever I ask what he wants for dinner, the answer is almost always, “Those bacon-y meatballs!” It’s become a Sunday night staple, and even my picky niece, Lily, asks for seconds (and thirds!). Honestly, these are kinda magical. They are that good!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Brown Sugar Bacon Meatballs Recipe
Alright, here’s the lowdown on why you’re about to become obsessed with these little guys:
- Bacon, duh! Anything with bacon is instantly better. Period.
- Sweet & Savory = Heaven: The brown sugar glaze is the perfect counterpoint to the savory meatballs and smoky bacon. It’s like a party in your mouth.
- Super Easy: I’m all about easy, especially on weeknights. This recipe is seriously foolproof. Even I can’t mess it up, and that’s saying something!
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re having a party or just a chill night in, these meatballs are always a hit. Prepare for everyone to ask for the recipe.
How to Make It
Okay, so listen up! First, get your oven preheated to 400F/200C, because nobody wants to wait forever for meatballs, right?
Next, grab a big bowl (the biggest one you have, probably) and throw in your ground beef, bacon (that you’ve chopped into teeny, tiny pieces—like, REALLY tiny), breadcrumbs, egg, milk, and all those spices. Now, get your hands in there and mix it all up. Don’t be shy! Just make sure you don’t overmix it, or the meatballs will be tough. Nobody wants tough meatballs.
Roll that mixture into little balls. I usually aim for about an inch in diameter, but honestly, sometimes they’re bigger, sometimes they’re smaller. It’s all good. Line them up on a baking sheet that you’ve covered with parchment paper (or foil, if you’re out of parchment).
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Bake them for about 20-25 minutes, or until they’re cooked through.
While the meatballs are baking, let’s make that amazing sauce. In a saucepan, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, pineapple juice, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes, until it thickens up a bit. Don’t walk away, or it will get sticky! I learned that the hard way.
Once the meatballs are done, toss them in the sauce and stir to coat. And then, serve them up! I like to garnish them with some sliced green onions and sesame seeds, because they make them look extra fancy.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef: I usually use 80/20, because I like the flavor, but you can use leaner ground beef if you want. Just don’t go too lean, or they’ll be dry. Nobody likes a dry meatball.
- Bacon: Okay, this is non-negotiable. Bacon makes everything better. I prefer thick-cut bacon, but use whatever you like. I once tried turkey bacon (don’t judge), and it… well, it wasn’t the same.
- Breadcrumbs: I use plain breadcrumbs, but you can use panko breadcrumbs for a little extra crunch. I’ve also used crushed crackers in a pinch. It works!
- Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar, it doesn’t matter. Whatever you have on hand. I’ve even used maple syrup when I was out of brown sugar, and it was still delicious.
- Soy Sauce: I usually use low-sodium soy sauce, because I’m trying to watch my salt intake (sort of). But regular soy sauce works fine too. If you’re gluten-free, use tamari.
Recipe Steps:
- Preheat: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Combine: Mix ground beef, bacon, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, and spices in a large bowl.
- Roll: Shape the mixture into meatballs and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Cook for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
- Whisk: Mix brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, pineapple juice, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan.
- Simmer: Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened.
- Toss: Combine cooked meatballs with the sauce, stirring to coat.
- Serve: Garnish and enjoy!
What to Serve It With
Okay, so these meatballs are super versatile. You can serve them over rice, noodles, mashed potatoes… whatever floats your boat. I like to serve them with a side of steamed broccoli or a simple salad, just to feel like I’m eating something healthy. They’re also amazing as an appetizer. Just stick a toothpick in each one and watch them disappear.
Tips & Mistakes
- Don’t overmix the meatballs! Seriously, it’ll make them tough. Mix until everything is just combined.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. If you do, the meatballs will steam instead of bake, and they won’t get that nice, crispy exterior.
- Keep an eye on the sauce! Brown sugar burns easily, so make sure you stir it frequently and don’t let it simmer for too long.
- Taste the sauce as you go! Add more red pepper flakes if you like it spicy, or a little bit of honey if you want it sweeter.
Storage Tips
If you have any leftovers (which is a big if), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep for about 3-4 days. And let me tell you, cold meatballs straight from the fridge? Don’t judge! They’re surprisingly delicious. I’ve even been known to eat them for breakfast. Just sayin’.
Variations and Substitutions
- Ground Turkey: If you’re not a fan of ground beef, you can use ground turkey instead. Just make sure you add a little extra fat, like olive oil, to keep them moist.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Ran out of brown sugar? No problem! Use honey or maple syrup instead. It’ll give the sauce a slightly different flavor, but it’ll still be delicious.
- Tamari or Coconut Aminos: If you’re gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- No Pineapple Juice: Honestly, I’ve skipped it before when I forgot to buy pineapple juice, and the world didn’t end. Add a little extra water or chicken broth instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Easy Brown Sugar Bacon Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef lean
- 0.5 cup bread crumbs plain
- 1 large egg
- 0.25 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 12 slices bacon cut in half
- 0.5 cup brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, milk, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Wrap each meatball with a half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Roll each bacon-wrapped meatball in brown sugar to coat.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the meatballs are cooked through.
Notes
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
