AIP Meatballs

These AIP Meatballs are juicy, delicious, and flavorful. Plus, the sweet and sour sauce makes these mini paleo meatballs the perfect appetizer or meal.

How to Bind Meatballs Without Eggs

Eggs are not allowed during the elimination stage of the core autoimmune protocol. Eggs are usually used in meatballs as a way of binding the ingredients together. But they are not necessary because the fat from the beef helps keep the meatball together.  

How to Keep Meatballs Moist Without Breadcrumbs

We’re also using mushrooms instead of the more traditional breadcrumbs to help keep the meatballs moist. Mushrooms are like little sponges, and they absorb all the juices and flavor. Plus, it’s nice way to get in additional veggies into your diet. This is the same trick used to keep my AIP Meatloaf moist.

How to Store Meatballs

These meatballs can easily be stored in the fridge along with the sauce. Just make sure to keep them in a resealable container.

Meatballs are also great stored in the freezer. However, I would make the sauce fresh once you are ready to serve.

Easy Meal Prep Tips for These Meatballs

While these mini meatballs make a great appetizer, they are easily be included as part of a meal. This recipe would be great alongside these sides.

• AIP Cauliflower Rice
• AIP Pasta and Rice (Rice ‘a’ Roni copycat)
• Taro Cake
• Garlic Shanghai Bok Choy
• AIP Focaccia

Ingredients for AIP

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Coconut oil, avocado oil, or ghee are all good substitutes.
• Mushrooms: Any mushrooms are fine, but cremini mushrooms were used.
• Ground Beef: Force of Nature Ancestral Blend has organs with the ground beef which was used in this recipe. It adds some extra nutrition.
• Ground Turkey: Chicken is a good substitute.
• Garlic Powder
• Salt
• Onion Powder
• Garlic cloves
• Honey
• Coconut Aminos: If you’re not AIP or can tolerate soy, soy sauce is a good substitute.
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Tapioca Starch: Arrowroot starch is a good substitute.
• Fresh Ginger
• Orange: The juice of 1 orange plus zest.
• Salt
• Green Onions: This is an optional garnish.

How Do You Make These Meatballs AIP

1. To make the meatballs, add 1 tablespoon oil to a small sauté pan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook for about 3 minutes or until the mushrooms are soft and reduced.

2. Combine the remaining meatball ingredients in a large bowl. Using your hands, combine the ingredients. Separate the meatballs into 18 one-inch balls and transfer to a plate and set aside.

3. To cook on the stove, add a few tablespoons of oil to a large sauté pan over high heat. Place the meatballs in the pan to brown, about 2 minutes then flip and let cook for a few more minutes.

4. Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl while the meatballs are cooking. When the meatballs have finished cooking, add the sauce mixture into the sauté pan. Bring to a simmer and allow to thicken and reduce for about 2-3 minutes. At this point, the sauce should be thick and reduced and the meatballs should be cooked through.

Sauces for AIP Meatballs

This recipe comes with a delicious sweet and savory sauce however, you can easily omit that sauce and use one of these recipes below.

• Easy Nomato Marinara Sauce
• AIP BBQ Sauce

AIP Meatballs in the Oven

While this recipe is done of the stove top, the meatballs can be done in the oven. To bake, place the meatballs on a baking sheet that’s been preheated to 350 degrees. Let bake for about 20 minutes. The cooking method is like the one used in this recipe. The sauce will still need to be done via stovetop.

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Helpful Info for All Recipes

• I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise.
• I always use Himalayan sea salt or Celtic sea salt, unless otherwise noted.
• The majority of my recipes are strict AIP or include notations for reintroductions. However while I make every effort to label non-AIP ingredients and recipes sometimes they slip past me. If you have questions, please ask in advance.

Here’s Some Other Grain Free AIP Paleo Meatballs You’ll Love!