In meatballs, there is innovation in every aspect. Apple butter meatballs epitomize the sheer creativeness and innovation behind the preparation of meatballs, bringing together the savory taste of ground meat with the sweet and tangy heritage of apple butter. Meatballs work well for party appetizers, happy family dinners, or holidays.
Savory meatballs made from ground beef and pork are marinated in this sweetly tangy apple butter glaze. Baked golden, the meatballs are tossed in a smooth glaze from apple butter, bourbon, soy sauce, and just a hint of maple syrup. This is an easy yet very flavorful dish that will be suitable for a quick meal if served with a side or even as an appetizer.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup finely minced white onion
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Apple Butter Bourbon Glaze
- 1/2 cup apple butter
- 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt to taste
Directions:
Step 1:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2:
In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, ground pork, panko, onion, milk, egg, salt, granulated garlic, and pepper. If the mixture is too wet, put it in the fridge to firm up for 15 to 20 minutes before rolling. Shape into 24 meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and place on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 3:
Place meatballs in a preheated oven and let them bake till they’re no longer pink inside, but also brown on the outside. This should be about 20 minutes. When an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of meatballs reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
Step 4:
Meanwhile, make apple butter bourbon glaze: Whisk together apple butter and bourbon in a small saucepan. Add soy sauce, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard; bring to a simmer over medium-low. Stir frequently until smooth and just thickened, 5 to 7 minutes
Step 5:
Remove the meatballs from the oven and move them to a big serving bowl. Pour over the glaze and toss it gently and evenly. Serve warm.
Nutrition facts:
Apple Butter Meatballs Nutrition Facts. Servings: 4-5 meatballs, depending on size, and serving with the apple butter sauce. For nutrition information, please note that it can vary depending on the specific ingredients or portion sizes used.
Approximate Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
- Calories: 350-400 kcal
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sodium: 600-700mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 25g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 15g (from apple butter)
- Protein: 20g
Breakdown of nutrition facts
Calorie count: Mostly fat from ground beef or pork in the meatballs and sugar from the apple butter sauce.
Fat: Ground meat. It can be considerably reduced by using lean meat or turkey.
Protein: The percentage of protein from ground meat, which could be beef, pork, or turkey, is approximately 20 grams per serving.
Carbohydrates: The main source of carbohydrates in this recipe comes from the apple butter sauce, which inherently contains sugars.
Sodium: This depends on the seasoning and the kind of sauces you will be using. If sodium is your concern for this recipe, then try to look for reduced-sodium seasonings and sauces.
1. What type of meat would you suggest for the Apple Butter Meatballs?
Ground beef, ground pork, ground turkey, or a mix of ground beef and ground pork would probably be okay. For a leaner version, use ground turkey or chicken
2. Can I make Apple Butter Meatballs in a slow cooker?
These meatballs are literally one of the easiest to make in a slow cooker. First, brown your meatballs then put them into the slow cooker and top them with apple butter sauce, cook on low 4-6 hours.
3. Do you have to make homemade apple butter or can you use store-bought for this recipe?
Of course, store-bought works great, if you want more customization you can make your own apple butter.
4. What if I don’t have apple cider vinegar?
If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can substitute it with white vinegar or lemon juice for a similar tangy flavor.
Conclusion:
Apple butter meatballs can, for sure, be one of the great blends of sweet and savory flavors that one can be quite comfortable with any occasion-from casual family dinners to festive gatherings. Rich tang apple butter dresses the natural flavor of the meatballs and gives a taste experience like no other to keep on sending your guests back for more.
These meatballs are very easy to adapt to whatever dietary need you may have-from gluten-free to sugar-free to low in fat. They’re easy to make ahead of time and freeze for later, then serve with a variety of sides to round out their flavor.
This is a very easy recipe, either using store-bought or homemade apple butter. It always turns out to be such a tasty dish. Try these Apple Butter Meatballs at your next party or family meal to get rave reviews!