Ah, meatballs. The burger’s smaller and more rotund cousin with an entirely different demeanor despite being comprised of roughly the same ingredients. Since meat is pretty paleo and all, this food is a staple, and the abundance of recipes is overwhelming. You can pair this protein with dishes from all over the world to generate some pretty authentic cuisine. By standard, meatballs are often mixed with breadcrumbs that act as a binder just like meatloaf. The best paleo meatballs stand on their on two feet, though. We’ve sifted through the best recipes from Sweden to Italy and narrowed it down to some of the best, grain-free paleo meatballs.
You know what meatballs are perfect for? A batch-cooking session! Fridge ’em, freeze ’em, or just eat ’em. Check out our Comprehensive Guide to Paleo Meal Prep to get started.
Paleo Swedish Meatballs from Plated With Style
When you think of Ikea, you probably think of two things: furniture with names you can never pronounce and Swedish meatballs. You know these things have got to be good if a furniture store is infamous for their recipe. This dish takes on a paleo-friendly version of that old familiar taste. These paleo meatballs are the perfect fuel to gear you up for a long day of confusing instruction manuals and building furniture.
Ingredients:
Meatballs
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 lb Ground Pork
- 2 Egg Yolks
- 1 Tablespoon of Parsley
- 1 teaspoon of Sea Salt
- 1 teaspoon of Black Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon of Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon of Nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon of Ground Cloves
- ¼ Sweet Onion, finely minced
- 1 Garlic Glove, finely minced
- 1½ Tablespoon of Lard or Cooking Fat
- ¼ Sweet Onion, finely minced
- 1 Garlic Clove, finely minced
- 1 14 oz Can of Full-Fat Coconut Milk
- 2 cups of Beef Broth
- 2 Tablespoons of Butter (or Ghee)
- 1 teaspoon of Black Pepper
- 3 Tablespoons of Tapioca Flour
- Salt to taste
Read the full recipe from Plated With Style here
Gluten-Free Buffalo Chicken Meatballs from Veggie Balance
Who doesn’t love buffalo chicken? This is a crowd-pleaser whether you’re serving up dinner for the kids or need a recipe for game day. Frank’s red hot is the secret weapon while flax and potato starch will hold these together, making them a truly sturdy, bite-sized option. Need a ranch recipe? Check out our roundup of 10 Tasty Paleo Dressing Recipes.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground chicken (or ground turkey )
- 1 egg
- 2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 3 Tablespoons potato starch
- 2 scallions, chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup Frank’s red hot sauce
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 1½ Tablespoons paprika
Read the full recipe from Veggie Balance here
Baked Apple and Pork Meatballs from Eat Drink Paleo
This recipe for paleo meatballs is one for apple season, so keep on reading. Pork and apple were meant to be, and this paleo meatball recipe is honoring their partnership with due respect. Sage and cinnamon – yet another perfect match – bring it on home for a sweet, salty, spicy burst of all things delicious with each bite.
Ingredients:
- 1.1kg / 2 1/2 pounds mince pork (ground pork)
- 2 apples, peeled and finely diced
- 2 tbsps garlic powder or 2 large garlic cloves, finely diced
- 2 tbsps onion powder
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 2 tbsps ground sage
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
Read the full recipe from Eat Drink Paleo here
Sweet and Sour Glazed Meatballs (AIP) from Beyond the Bite 4 Life
Like sweet and sour chicken minus all the sugar, MSG, soy, and delivery fees. This nutritious recipe uses ground lamb as the base and incorporates fresh ginger and scallions, both of which have anti-inflammatory properties. You can really feel good about these paleo meatballs. Coconut aminos replaces soy sauce while pomegranate juice is an interesting substitute for the commonly used OJ. This dish is autoimmune friendly to boot!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground lamb
- 4 garlic cloves – minced
- 1/2 cup chopped scallions – white part
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger – minced
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 maple syrup
- 1/4 cup + 1 1/2 tbsp arrowroot powder
- 3 tbsp Coconut Aminos
- 1 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp water
Read the full recipe from Beyond The Bite 4 Life here
Chicken and Mango Paleo Meatballs from Slimming Eats
More fruit for your meat! This recipe uses the wonderful duo of mango and jalapeno that lends its complexity well to a lean meat such as chicken or turkey. Spicy and sweet can’t be beat. Just don’t forget the fresh cilantro because it will add just the right depth to this distinctive delicacy.
Ingredients:
For the meatballs
- 500g of extra lean ground chicken or turkey
- 1 medium sized mango, peeled and chopped (save ⅓ for the sauce) (6 syns)
- 1 jalapeno, seeds removed and finely chopped
- 2 spring onions, finely sliced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- small handful of chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
- 2 tsp of paprika
- salt and black pepper to season
- ½ tsp of cream of tartar
- Olive oil spray
For the sauce
- ⅓ of the mango
- ½ cup of coconut aminos
- half a jalapeno (seed removed and finely chopped)
- 1 clove of garlic, crushed
- 1 tsp of grated ginger
Read the full recipe from Slimming Eats here
Loaded Turkey Meatballs from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
Naturally, this list wouldn’t be complete without a classic Italian meatball. Serve these ones with zoodles, spaghetti squash, or pop ’em down the hatch on their own. Spinach and Italian seasonings will produce that classic meatball taste, texture, and color.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. organic extra lean ground turkey
- 1/4 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup handful of frozen spinach (defrosted, drained, squeezed to remove excess water)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Himalayan sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Read the full recipe from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen here
Paleo Potsticker Meatballs from Saving Dinner
If you’re on a mission to eat the rainbow, these paleo meatballs oughta be on the menu. These take all the wonderful components of potstickers and transform them into awesome, meaty poppers instead. Almond flour will give these a nice texture and crunch in addition to grated carrots and sliced green onions. A little Asian inspiration!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 small carrots, grated
- 3 medium green onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup of fresh chopped cilantro, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger root
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
Read the full recipe from Saving Dinner here
Greek Style Lamb Meatballs from Primally Inspired
And we’re shuttling to our next destination, now – Greece! Ground lamb, fresh oregano, and red onion bring these meatballs together. The shining star? Avocado tzatziki. This will feel like a bona fide Greek feast fit for a god (or goddess).
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. ground lamb (or ground beef)
- ½ medium red onion, finely diced (about ½ cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- zest of ½ lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- sea salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 avocado
- 1 small/medium cucumber or ½ large cucumber, cut in half and seeds scraped out with a spoon
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon red onion, diced
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill (or mint, depending on your preference)
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (leave out for dairy free option)
- sea salt and pepper, to taste
Read the full recipe from Primally Inspired here
Spicy Tex-Mex Grain Free Meatballs from The Urban Poser
All right, it’s time to get funky. These paleo meatballs have a whole lot going on which is why they’re so awesome. Red pepper, green onion, jalapeno, and fresh cilantro give these that confetti look to feast your eyes upon before you finally dig in. Dip ’em in a little salsa or top them with some homemade pico for the best results.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 pound ground grass fed beef
- 1 medium eggs (or sub a flax/chia egg)
- 1/3 cup red pepper (about half a red pepper) finely diced
- 1/3 cup green onion, chopped
- 1 medium sized jalapeno, seeded and finely diced (keep the seeds in for more heat)
- 1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro, chopped
- 11/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic granules or powder
- 1/4 cup almond flour or 1-2 tablespoons coconut flour for binding
- 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse sea salt plus extra for garnishing
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked pepper
Read the full recipe from The Urban Poser here
Beef, Bacon, and Kale Meatballs (AIP) from The Fresh Tart
Beef, bacon, AND kale? This is a paleo dream come true. Not only are these meatballs a nutrient-dense choice with the addition of greens, but the bacon and leeks will pack a big punch and crunch. The food ingredients themselves lend so much flavor, the spices are incredibly simple which speaks volumes on behalf of this recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound grass-fed ground beef
- 1 tablespoon grass-fed gelatin (optional)
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot starch
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 4 slices bacon, diced finely
- 1 cup finely chopped kale leaves
- 1 leek, washed and minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Read the full recipe from Fresh Tart here
Paleo Turkey Sweet Potato Meatballs from The Lean Green Bean
These paleo meatballs include the side dish within so it’s less work for you. Ground turkey and sweet potato unite to make a tasty, fluffy meatball. These are ideal for a post-workout lunch since they include lean protein and some healthy starch. Oh, and bacon. Meatballs can always use a little smokey goodness.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 – 2 jalapenos, minced
- ½ cup almond meal
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 2 strips bacon, diced
Read the full recipe from The Lean Green Bean here
Thai Curry Chicken Meatballs from One Lovely Life
Try not to drool. These paleo meatballs comprise a dish reminiscent of takeout with a totally unique, gourmet feel. The creamy sauce has a pumpkin and cashew butter base giving you gorgeous texture, hue, and sweet flavor. Serve garnished with fresh cilantro and pomegranate arils over cauliflower rice for a meal that speaks for itself with its color contrast.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. ground chicken breast
- 1½- 2 cups shredded zucchini, patted dry with paper towels
- 2 Tbsp cilantro, minced
- 1-2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- coconut oil for greasing baking sheet
- 1 (14oz) can coconut milk
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup cashew butter
- 2-3 Tbsp Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1-2 Tablespoons red curry paste
- 2 tsp fresh ginger
- 2 tsp gluten free tamari (use coconut aminos for Paleo/Whole30)
- ¼ cup cilantro, minced
- juice of 1 lime
- ½-3/4c water
Read the full recipe from One Lovely Life here
While paleo meatballs may seem like an obvious choice because, well, it’s just a ball of meat, there’s a lot of inspiration to be had! From intricate spice blends to the addition of all kinds of produce, you can create any flavor under the sun in bite-sized form. Bon appetit!
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