Advertisements
This low carb meatballs recipe gluten free based on Italian style is so easy – just 30 minutes to make. These low carb gluten free Italian style meatballs are super simple to make.
Gluten-free meatballs aren’t that different from regular meatballs. Whether you’ve made one type or the other before, the basics are the same. All you need is meat, binders, seasonings, and moisture. And I’m happy to share my tips and tricks with you!
For my version of low carb meatballs recipe, I used a combination of grated Parmesan cheese and golden flaxseed meal. This pairing makes a delicious substitute for the breadcrumbs found in many recipes. Plus, instead of carbs, you get healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Flaxseed flour is very good at binding the dough, so you can add just one egg to the recipe. This is a big advantage, because too much egg can make the meatballs dense and spongy. We don't want that! We only need one egg, which is enough for the meatballs to be firm.
If you don't have ada, know that the regular kind will work just as well, but the golden version has a milder flavor that you may prefer. Otherwise, feel free to use almond flour instead, using the same amount. Its holding power is slightly less than flaxseed meal, but overall it still makes an excellent substitute.
It goes without saying that herbs and spices are crucial to making this low carb meatball recipe! This Italian-style version—packed with Italian seasoning, parsley, and garlic—is my absolute favorite. Feel free to change it up with whatever spices you like best.
Either way, the amount of salt plays a big role. As a general rule, one teaspoon per pound of meat is usually the right amount. I used a little less (3/4 teaspoon) in this recipe, since Parmesan cheese is also salty.
What else? You want your low-carb meatballs to be juicy, right? The key is to add some sort of moisture (and the egg doesn't count).
I used coconut milk, but any milk you have (almond, dairy, etc) will work just fine. You could even try heavy cream if you want a little something extra. low carb meatballs recipe richer in fat.
Letting everything sit for a few minutes before adding the meat goes a long way toward improving the texture of your meatballs, so don’t skip this step! Not only does it let the flavors develop, it also allows the moisture to be absorbed into the dry ingredients more completely. Adding the meat last prevents overworking by avoiding repeated mixing, which is also helpful for improving the texture.
Ingredients for the low carb meatballs recipe
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup golden flaxseed meal
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup coconut milk (or any milk of your choice)
- 3 tablespoons of onion (grated)
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves of garlic (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
- 500 grams of ground beef
- 3/4 cup Marinara sauce
How to make the low carb meatballs recipe
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil (grease if using foil).
- In a large bowl, stir together the grated Parmesan cheese, golden flax meal, Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Beat together the milk, grated onion, egg, garlic and fresh parsley. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes.
- Mix the ground meat using your hands until it is all incorporated. (Do not overmix to avoid lumps of meat.)
- Form the mixture into 1-inch balls and place on the lined baking sheet. If using your hands, use a gentle touch and don't pack the meatballs too tightly.)
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the meatballs are medium-rare. (If you want them more golden brown, you can bake them for a few more minutes.)
- Top each meatball with marinara sauce. Return to oven and bake for 3-5 minutes, until sauce is hot and meatballs are cooked through. Garnish with additional fresh parsley.
