KETO BEST MEATBALLS – 7 SECRETS
I love to make these Keto meatballs or parties and events. They are super simple, and an excellent choice to get your protein fix on your regime. Ground meat is so economical, versatile, and flavorful. It can also be healthy if you invest in lean ground versions.
WHAT IS THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF GROUND MEAT?
What is the nutritional value of Keto meatballs? There are so many meatball recipes that meet our culinary and dietary needs and offer a great source of lean protein.
LEAN PROTEIN PROTEIN SOURCE:
- 100 grams of ground beef and ground veal both offer 14 grams of protein
- 100 grams of ground pork offers 24 grams of protein
- 100 grams of ground lamb offers 17 grams of protein
It’s true; meatballs are one of the most common foods made from a variety of ground meats. Even so, they can be tasty and constructed in such a variety of ways that they will always please guests, whether served as an hors d’oeuvre or in pasta, soups, or sauces.
When we think of ground meat, Italian and Swedish meatballs spring to mind. But other cultures utilize the ball made from flesh, as well. In Afghanistan, meatballs are added to the tomato sauce and served over rice. Chinese meatballs are usually made from pork and are steamed or boiled. I’ve included a deep-fried version below! Asian meatballs can also be made of fish and seafood and are known as fish balls. Frikadeller is the name of the Danish pork fried meatball, usually slightly flattened. Indonesian meatballs are known as ‘bakso’, served in noodle soup with tofu and crispy wontons. As most Indonesians are Muslim, their meatballs are generally produced from beef and sometimes mixed with chicken.
There are secrets to producing and perfecting the meatball. A few years ago I wrote a feature story for our local newspaper about meatballs. I had the pleasure of interviewing one of Canada’s Chef de Cuisines, Chef David Franklin. Chef David (Chef de Cuisine) shared these meatball secrets with me.
Thanks Chef David!
WHAT ARE THE SECRETS TO FABULOUS KETO MEATBALLS?
SECRET 1:
Incorporate more than one meat into your meatballs to achieve a more unique taste and more depth of flavor.
SECRET 2:
The first tip is to be extra careful when working with any ground meat, fish, or seafood. Watch for cross-contamination. Work with one food item at a time – such as the ground meat – then scrub your cutting board with boiling water, strong detergent, and a good brush. I also like to spray my board with a mixture of peroxide and water. Rinse the board again. Then, wash your hands before moving onto another food item. Older cutting boards, especially plastic ones, often have deep and shallow scratches and grooves from past use. These grooves act as a breeding ground for bacteria. If your guests get sick from your meatballs, they are hardly perfect. So, cleanliness and diligence are essential techniques to utilize.
SECRET 3:
Another secret to making meatballs that hold together and don’t crumble is to make sure to remove all of the air from the raw flesh. In other words, abuse your meat.
SECRET 4:
To ensure that your meatballs cook evenly, use a small ice-cream scoop or melon-baller to make them all the same size. Wet your hands with cold water when shaping the meatballs, to help prevent sticking.
SECRET 5:
Another secret is to boil the meatballs before baking or grilling them. Boil the balls until they float. Boiling helps to keep the meatballs in one piece and ensure that cook.
SECRET 6:
Make your meatballs in different shapes. Different shapes give them a more homemade feel and add variety to the eyes. Try flattening them slightly or making them oblong.
SECRET 7:
The most important secret to making a great meatball is to think outside the box and explore all of the various cultural cuisines available to us.
WHAT IS THE TASTE PROFILE FOR BEST KETO MEATBALLS?
The predominant taste sensation of the meatballs is fattiness due to the beef, veal, and pork.
WHAT OTHER KETO LOW-CARB RECIPES CAN I ENJOY?
Montreal Strip Loin (Healthy Heart)
Keto Low-Carb Steak Marinade (Heart Healthy)
Crock-Pot Beef (Heart Healthy)
Bacon-Covered Meatloaf (Heart Healthy)
Roast Beef Spice Rub (Heart Healthy)
Beef Bone Broth (Heart Heathy)
Ultimate Steak Rub (Heart Healthy)
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO PREPARE THIS RECIPE?
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pot for boiling water
- Slotted spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
WHAT NON ALC WINE HARMONIZES WITH BEST KETO MEATBALLS?
With the predominant taste sensations of the meatballs are fattiness, umami, a little tanginess and saltiness. Choose a big non alcoholic red wine. These reds offer lots of earthy character, along with pleasant bitterness and astringency. The non-alc wine’s gentle tannin (bitterness and astringency) will nicely offset the fattiness and saltiness of bacon. Think de-alcoholized Zinfandel, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc or a blended wine with some weight.
Zero Alcohol Wine Tips:
ALCOHOL AND KETOSIS:
To support your Keto diet or low-carb lifestyle, opt for quality, non-alcoholic wines that are low-carb and low in sugar. Additionally, alcohol does not align with a keto diet or low-carb lifestyle. Moreover, your liver processes alcohol before nutrients, pausing ketone creation and slowing the ketosis process. Furthermore, your body will metabolize alcohol as fuel before utilizing food, which can decelerate fat burning and may lead to the storage of carbs, fat, and protein as excess body fat. Moreover, alcohol consumption stimulates the appetite, potentially causing overeating.
ALCOHOL AND HEALTH:
Did you know that when you consume alcohol, your liver has to work extra hard to break it down? This can result in damage to your liver. Furthermore, it can elevate your risk of health issues such as inflammation and cancer, particularly with heavy consumption. Additionally, alcohol can disrupt your blood sugar levels, leaving you feeling dehydrated and disrupting your body’s normal functions.
NON-ALCOHOLIC WINE AND HEALTH BENEFITS:
Non-alcoholic wines with minimal carbs and sugar are advantageous for your health. They not only aid in weight management, blood sugar control, and hydration but also contain essential nutrients and antioxidants from grapes that can decrease your risk of health conditions like heart disease. Consequently, since they lack alcohol, they’re ideal for socializing without any adverse effects, promoting feelings of happiness and reduced stress.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE KETO BEST MEATBALLS?
PrintKETO BEST MEATBALLS
- Total Time: 50
- Yield: 6 (24 meatballs) 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Keto meatballs recipe uses low-carb pasta, ground pork, ground beef, onion, garlic, and spices. Enjoy with keto noodles or cauliflower rice.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork (extra lean for Keto Heart Healthy)
- 1 pound ground beef (grass-fed for Keto Heart Healthy)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano -Reggiano
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup almond flour
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a bowl. Mix well with your hands.
- Squeeze the air out of the mixture, throwing it back onto the bowl. Refrigerate for one hour, to let the mixture rest and let flavours come together.
- Make balls, about one ounce of meat, by rolling tightly to remove any air. Line baking tray with parchment paper.
- Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large pot of boiling water, par-cook meatballs until they float, about two minutes. Transfer meatballs to the baking tray.
- Transfer to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until brown.
- Serve with fresh pasta in favorite tomato sauce.
Notes
I love to prepare crispy pork balls with pineapple dipping sauce for cocktail-style parties. They are easy to make and offer a sweet flavour and crunchy texture. Add these meatballs to your favorite Italian pasta sauce, served with Keto Low-Carb pasta noodles.
Using extra lean ground pork and grass-fed beef keeps the saturated fat lower.
Almond flour binds the meatballs instead of breadcrumbs for a keto-friendly option.
Par-boiling the meatballs before baking helps them hold their shape.
Fresh parmesan, parsley, garlic and oregano provide classic Italian flavors.
The egg helps bind the mixture.
Olive oil adds some healthy unsaturated fats.
The recipe is based on the keto version and is approximate only. One serving has 3 grams of net carbs.
(Note: The nutritional information provided is a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the nutritional accuracy of any recipe on this site. We cannot know what brands you use or how accurately you follow the recipe or what you like to add creatively to the dish. Use the information as a general guideline only.)
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: KETO LOW-CARB
- Method: BAKING
- Cuisine: DINNER
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 210
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 17
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 34
- Cholesterol: 145
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