These keto BBQ meatballs are a fantastic appetizer that's both easy to make and sure to please a crowd. What sets these meatballs apart is the delightful sweet and tart flavor contributed by cranberries, elevating them to a whole new level of deliciousness. They can also double as dinner!
Why Choose Keto BBQ Meatballs?
These meatballs are not only delicious but also align with the principles of a ketogenic diet. Traditional meatballs often contain breadcrumbs or other fillers high in carbohydrates. This recipe avoids those ingredients and uses low-carb substitutes, making it a guilt-free option for those following a keto lifestyle.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to create these delectable keto BBQ meatballs:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef (or ½ pound ground beef and ½ pound ground pork)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or canned coconut milk for dairy-free)
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup crushed pork rinds (a low-carb breadcrumb substitute)
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
For the BBQ Cranberry Sauce:
- 1 ¼ cup sugar-free BBQ sauce (such as No Sugar Added Sweet Baby Ray's)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 4 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ to 1 cup allulose, xylitol, or a monk fruit/allulose blend (adjust to taste)
- 2 drops orange essential oil (therapeutic grade, for consumption) or 1 tablespoon orange zest
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of keto BBQ meatballs:
Preparing the Meatballs:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the heavy cream, egg, pork rinds, and seasonings. Allow the mixture to sit for a minute or two to allow the pork rinds to soften.
- Add Beef: Add the ground beef (and pork, if using) to the bowl. Mix by hand, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can result in tough meatballs.
- Roll into Balls: Roll the mixture into 1 ½-inch-sized meatballs and place them on a greased broiler pan. Be careful not to roll the meatballs too tightly. If you don't have a broiler pan, you can place a folded, greased cooling rack over a lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until just cooked through. For extra browning, turn the oven up to broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Set aside.
Making the BBQ Cranberry Sauce:
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, mix together all of the BBQ cranberry sauce ingredients. Note: Adjust the amount of sweetener to your preference.
- Simmer: Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Blend: Use an immersion blender or transfer to a regular blender to blend until you reach your desired consistency.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and add additional sweetener or seasonings as needed.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and stir to coat them evenly.
Tips and Variations
- Sweetener Options: Powdered monk fruit/allulose blend, xylitol, or pure allulose are recommended for the sauce as they dissolve well and have no aftertaste. If using an erythritol-based sweetener, make sure it’s powdered. If using pure allulose, remember it's only about 70% as sweet as other sweeteners.
- Pork Rind Preparation: For the finest texture, crush the pork rinds in a food processor. Alternatively, place them in a resealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Pre-crushed pork rind breadcrumbs are also a convenient option.
- Dairy-Free Option: Replace the heavy cream with canned coconut milk. Sprouts, Thai Kitchen, or Native Forest brands are recommended for coconut milk to avoid any aftertaste. If the coconut milk separates, heat it over low heat until combined.
- Paleo Option: Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream, coconut palm sugar for the sweetener, and a paleo-compliant BBQ sauce like Noble Made Classic BBQ, Tessamae's, or Primal Kitchen.
- Meat Variations: You can use other ground meats like turkey or chicken, but a combination of beef and pork provides the best flavor and texture. For beef-only meatballs, choose a fattier percentage of ground beef.
- Alternative Cooking Methods: You can also cook the meatballs in an air fryer or oven and then add them to the sauce when they are done.
- Mustard Based BBQ Sauce: For a mustard based BBQ sauce, combine all ingredients in a small saucepan, stirring until smooth.
Serving Suggestions
These keto BBQ meatballs can be served in a variety of ways:
Read also: Juicy Keto Meatballs
- Appetizer: Perfect for parties, game days, or any gathering.
- Main Course: Serve with low-carb side dishes like a big green salad, keto green beans, or roasted asparagus.
- Meal Prep: These meatballs are great for meal prep! Store them in the fridge for up to 3-5 days or freeze them for longer storage.
Freezing and Reheating
- Freezing: Cooked meatballs can be frozen for up to 3-6 months without the sauce (the sauce doesn't freeze well). To freeze, place the meatballs in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag.
- Reheating: Thaw the meatballs in the fridge overnight if frozen. Reheat them in a skillet, microwave, or slow cooker.
The Secret Ingredient: Cranberries
The addition of cranberries to the BBQ sauce is what truly makes these meatballs exceptional. The cranberries offer a unique sweet and tart flavor profile that complements the savory meatballs and smoky BBQ sauce perfectly.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is designed to be both delicious and easy to follow. By using simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, anyone can create these mouthwatering keto BBQ meatballs. The flexibility of the recipe allows for easy customization to suit individual dietary needs and preferences.
Make Ahead Instructions
- Premake: Keep baked meatballs in the fridge for up to three days before adding the sauce.
Are Meatballs Keto Friendly?
Most store-bought frozen meatballs are usually not keto friendly because they often use breadcrumbs or other fillers that have carbs. However, you can easily make them yourself without breadcrumbs and therefore make them more keto friendly.
Low Carb BBQ Sauce
Barbecue sauce you buy in the store is often full of sugar. However, most of the other ingredients are low in carbs. So it’s an easy condiment to make sugar free and low carb.
Read also: Provolone Meatball Ravioli
Read also: Meatball Sauce for Keto Diet