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Tennessee Whiskey Meatball Sliders Recipe with Sweet BBQ Sauce

Tennessee Whiskey Meatball Sliders

Tender meatballs simmer in a sweet, tangy Tennessee whiskey barbecue sauce before being tucked into soft slider rolls with melted cheese and garlic butter. This appetizer makes about 24 satisfying sliders.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatballs
  • 24 ounces Frozen fully cooked beef or Italian-style meatballs
Whiskey Barbecue Sauce
  • 1 cup Ketchup
  • 1/2 cup Packed light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup Tennessee whiskey
  • 1/4 cup Water
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
Slider Assembly
  • 24 rolls Slider rolls or Hawaiian-style rolls
  • 6 slices Provolone or sharp cheddar cheese, quartered
  • 2 tablespoons Melted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon Chopped parsley, optional
Optional Toppings
  • as needed Pickled jalapeños, coleslaw, or sliced green onions

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Combine the ketchup, brown sugar, Tennessee whiskey, water, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, kosher salt, and black pepper in a saucepan.
  2. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and the whiskey flavor mellows.
  3. Add the frozen meatballs, cover the pan, and simmer for 15–20 minutes. Stir occasionally so the meatballs heat evenly and become coated in the glossy sauce.
  4. Split the slider rolls and place one meatball with a little sauce on each roll. Add a quarter slice of provolone or cheddar, along with any desired jalapeños, coleslaw, or green onions.
  5. For baked sliders, arrange the assembled sandwiches in a baking dish. Stir the melted butter with garlic powder and parsley, brush it over the rolls, and bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, until warm and the cheese melts.
  6. Serve the sliders hot with extra Tennessee whiskey barbecue sauce for dipping.

Notes

Use fully cooked frozen meatballs of consistent size for the easiest preparation. For homemade meatballs, combine 1 pound ground beef, 1/2 pound ground pork, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Form 24 small meatballs, bake at 400°F for approximately 18–22 minutes until the centers reach 160°F, then simmer them in the sauce for 5 minutes. The meatballs may also be cooked with the sauce in a slow cooker for 2–3 hours on HIGH or 4–5 hours on LOW.