Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs
Make these low-carb and Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs on an outdoor grill or a stove-top grill pan; these meatballs have all the comfort food appeal of bacon cheeseburgers, without the carbs!
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Like many Americans, I grew up thinking there was nothing else with quite the comfort food potential as bacon cheeseburgers, so when the idea for these Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs with all the ingredients people love in actual bacon cheeseburgers popped into my mind, I had to try it, even if this isn’t quite the kind of healthy food I try to focus on!
When I shared the idea with Kara and Jake, they both liked the sound of it, and I had to make it with both of them to get a version I wanted to share with you. The keeper recipe in this post has all the flavors I love in bacon cheeseburgers, and that includes dill pickles and burger sauce in addition to the beef, bacon, and cheese!
I will confess that these are a little tricky to make, with the hardest part being tucking the bits of cheese inside the meatballs before you put them on the grill. And some cheese will still ooze out, so you want to cook them on a grilling pan (affiliate link) like the one I used to help cut down on the mess.
But the Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs are so delicious! And it’s prime grilling season, so I thought these meatballs would be the perfect recipe to feature for Friday Favorites this week. If you’re someone who likes these flavors, please give them a try!
What ingredients do you need for this recipe?
(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)
- lean ground beef
- steak seasoning, preferably Szeged Steak Rub (affiliate link)
- fresh-ground black pepper
- egg
- bacon, crumbled
- chopped dill pickle
- Swiss cheese (Or use other cheese of your choice.)
- Olive Oil (affiliate link) for brushing meatballs
What gives the Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs great flavor?
In this recipe we used all the flavors people love in bacon cheeseburgers, including seasoned ground beef, bacon, chopped dill pickle, and Swiss cheese.
What sauce did we serve with the Bacon Cheeseburger meatballs?
We loved these meatballs dipped into fry sauce, which in Utah is often served on burgers. And the sauce is definitely not optional for me. This sauce that’s iconic in Utah is basically a mix of mayo and ketchup; adjust the ratio of each to your own taste I make it with sugar-free ketchup (affiliate link), and at my house it rarely gets used on fries, but it’s a favorite topping for burger patties!
Can you cook Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs without an outdoor grill?
For anyone without an outdoor grill, the Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs can definitely be cooked on a stove-top grill pan with ridges (affiliate link) or a George Foreman Grill (affiliate link) as well. Use Grilling Recipes to find more ideas for grilling.
How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs:
(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)
- Season the ground beef with steak seasoning and black pepper.
- Cook bacon and crumble it and dice up dill pickles and cheese.
- Then mix the bacon, dill pickles, and cheese into the beef.
- Now for the just-slightly tricky part! Form into 1/4 cup meatballs, tucking the cubes of cheese into the center of the meatballs as you make them. (If you don’t do that, cheese will ooze out on the grill even more!)
- Put formed meatballs into the fridge to chill for about 30-40 minutes to help them keep their shape on the grill.
- When you’re ready to cook, heat the grilling pan (affiliate link) or Stovetop Grill Pan (affiliate link) for a few minutes before you put the meatballs on, then brush meatballs with olive oil as you put them on the pan.
- Cook meatballs over medium-high heat, turning them with tongs about every 2 minutes so they get a little browned on all sides.
- Start checking with an instant-read meat thermometer (affiliate link) after about 15 minutes and cook until the meatballs reach a temperature of at least 160F/102C. (Or cut one open if you don’t have a meat thermometer.
- Serve hot, with burger sauce on the side for dipping if desired!
More Meatball Recipes You Might Like:
- Sriracha Turkey Meatballs
- Amazing Slow Cooker Meatballs
- Baked Swedish Meatballs
- The Best Instant Pot Meatballs
- Baked Greek Meatballs with Feta
Weekend Food Prep:
This recipe has been added to a category called Weekend Food Prep where you’ll find recipes you can prep or cook on the weekend and eat during the week and I’d love to have some of these meatballs to warm up as leftovers!
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs
These low-carb Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs have all the comfort food appeal of grilled bacon cheeseburgers, without the carbs!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 2 tsp. steak seasoning (see notes)
- 1/2 tsp. fresh-ground black pepper
- 1 egg
- 6 slices bacon, crumbled (see notes)
- 1/4 cup chopped dill pickle (see notes)
- 4 oz. Swiss cheese, cut into very small cubes (Or use other cheese of your choice.)
- olive oil for brushing meatballs
Instructions
- Crumble the beef into a plastic bowl and sprinkle with the steak seasoning and black pepper; add the egg.
- Crisp the bacon and crumble, dice dill pickles, and cut the cheese into small cubes.
- Add the crumbled bacon, diced pickles, and cubes of cheese to the ground beef and use your hands to gently combine ingredients. (Don’t over-mix; that will make the meatballs tough.)
- Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop out the beef mixture and then form it into a meatball, tucking the cheese cubes inside as you make the meatballs.
- Put formed meatballs on a small baking sheet and put them in the fridge to chill for 30-40 minutes. This will help the meatballs keep their shape on the hot grill.
- When you’re ready to cook, put the grilling pan (affiliate link) on top of the grill grates to heat while you preheat grill to medium-high heat. (You can also cook on a Stovetop Grill Pan (affiliate link), which should also be preheated.)
- Remove meatballs from the fridge and brush on both sides with a little olive oil to help prevent sticking.
- Put meatballs on the grilling pan to cook, turning them about every 2 minutes so they’re getting browned on all sides.
- Start checking for doneness after about 15 minutes. (We used an instant-read meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of at least 160F/102C. If you don’t have a thermometer like that and don’t want to buy one, you can cut open a meatball and make sure the inside is cooked through.)
- Serve hot, with dipping sauce for dipping meatballs if desired.
- These meatballs reheat well, so you may want to double the recipe to be sure you’ll have plenty left over to re-heat for another meal!
Notes
You can make my homemade steak seasoning, but any brand will work. For a sauce I used Hires Fry Sauce (affiliate link), a Utah favorite! We used pre-cooked bacon and crisped it in the microwave, then blotted off the extra fat. Don’t use pickle relish; that will make the meatballs too moist.
I recommend using a grilling pan or a Stovetop Grill Pan to cook meatballs on the grill and an instant-read meat thermometer to check for doneness. (affiliate links)
Nutritional information does not include dipping sauce.
Recipe created by Kalyn with recipe testing help from Kara and Jake.
Nutrition Information
Yield
9Serving Size
1 meatballAmount Per Serving Calories 261Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 7gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 93mgSodium 429mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 0gSugar 1gProtein 23g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.
Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Everything in the Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs is a low-carb ingredient and these meatballs should be great for low-carb eating plans and perfect for Keto. Definitely these meatballs are higher in fat than what is recommended for the original South Beach Diet, but personally I think having something like this for a treat once in a while is fine, especially if it helps prevent you from eating actual bacon cheeseburgers!
Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Grilling Recipes to find more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.
Historical Notes for this Recipe:
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs were first posted July 2016. The recipe was last updated with more information in 2023.
31 Comments on “Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs”
Could the meat balls be oven baked?
I can’t say for sure because I haven’t cooked them that way. I think it might work but they probably won’t get quite as brown. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it works.
I made some similar to this. I added diced jalapenos, onion, and used half a packet of ranch dressing. They were really good.
If we ever do a meatball competition at work again, I think I can win it thanks to this recipe!
Has anyone tried making these meatballs with diced jalapeños or green chilies? I don’t like pickles, so wondering if these other options would be delicious 😊
I haven’t tried it but I think either of those would be delicious, or maybe chopped fresh Poblano/Pasilla peppers if you don’t want it quite as spicy.
Hi Kalyn,
Do you think I could cook these meatballs in the oven instead of the BBQ? What theme would you advise? Thanks.
I’ve just seen one of the comments … Baked at 350 … (Lol) Thanks!
I make these delicious meatballs all the time! They are a big hit in my house. I stuff a cube of cheddar cheese in the middle and bake them at 350 for about 20-30 minutes or until they are fully cooked. Thank you Kalyn for great low carb recipes!
My pleasure Sue, glad you’re enjoying the recipes!
Amazing that with such a delicious ingredients yo can make a lo carb dish .
So glad you like it!
I don't calculate that information for a variety of reasons, but if you look after the printer-friendly recipe link where it says "nutritional information" I have links for two different ways you can get it.
Just when I was looking for a bacon cheeseburger meatball recipe you post one. How awesome is that. I am going to New Mexico them up by adding green chilis.
Oh yes, I love the idea of adding green chiles!
Sorry you're confused by it. All the cheese cubes are mixed with the meat. But when you cook the meatballs, you don't want a piece of cheese on the outside or it will just melt on the grill. So make meatballs and then where you see a piece of cheese that's on the outside, push it back into the center of the meatball so it's covered with ground beef. Some cheese will still melt out (as you can see in the photos) but that will keep it from melting too much and having all the cheese just run out. Hope that helps.
Hi.
Was going to try this but was a little confused. You mention mixing in the cheese cubes with the hamburger (twice) and then go on to say that the cubes should be placed in the middle of the meatballs.
Is it both ? In which case perhaps a mention that half (or however many) of the cheese cubes should be mixed in with the ground beef while the other quantity is reserved to be placed in the middle of the meatballs.
(I'm planning on using well aged cheddar myself and perhaps adding some ground up red Thai chili to the beef for a bit of zest !)
These look awesome. I love the convenience of meatballs in that they freeze easily and can work as a topping over various side dishes. Can't wait to try!
Thanks Maya; glad you like it!
Wow!These look so good! Definitely going to try these tonight. Add a small salad and my exogenous ketone drink and I'll be one happy camper!
Thanks Sandra; hope you enjoy!
I like this very much, especially the cheese in the meatballs, it sounds so delicious. Maybe I like to add some chopped onions and coriander. 🙂
Glad you like it; there are definitely more things that could be added!
Darla, no worries! I'd love to hear how they work in the oven if you try it!
oops – I see that this question was already answered!
Oh my goodness! The meatballs are all eye pricking. I bet I could not control my diet anymore 😀 It's time to have some delicious looking low carb meatballs now. Thanks Kalyn 🙂
Thanks Christine; so glad you liked it!
Do you know at what temp and how long if I was to bake these in my oven instead? Thanks – these look amazing!
Kelly I could only guess since I haven't cooked them that way, but I think the closest thing to grilling would be to cook under the broiler, turning often. I'm not sure on the cooking time; you'd have to watch them and see. I'd love to know how that works!
I'm salivating just thinking about these meatballs! (And thanks for linking to my BLT turkey meatballs, too.)
Thanks Lydia! And I know you're not a big consumer of bacon, but you should try this recipe at least once!