Since the first of the year, I’ve been wanting needing dinners that are hearty and filling, provide enough for lunch leftovers, and are Whole 30 approved. These meatballs were just the answer!
I have a Meatball Recipe that I love, but it includes bread crumbs, ketchup, and parmesan cheese, all of which are a no-no on Whole 30. I love that it is so easy to adapt recipes that we still love and are W30 compliant.
I simply switched out the bread crumbs with a little coconut flour and skipped the parmesan and ketchup all together. If I didn’t tell, know one would have known.
After cooking the meatballs, I simmered them in Trader Joe’s W30 approved marinara sauce. They turned out slightly spicy, tender, and delicious! I served them over Baked Spaghetti Squash and a simple salad with this Homemade Balsamic Dijon Dressing. We had two of our nieces for dinner this particular night, and they loved it, and even took home the leftover meatballs for lunch the next day.
**Disclaimer, if you’re following any of my recipes that I note as Whole 30 compliant, please check your ingredient labels first as they can vary.
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- 1½ lbs. ground meat (I used ½# hamburger, ½# pound turkey, ½# pork, which I had left from a previous recipe).
- 1 egg
- ½ medium yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¾ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- 3 TBSP olive oil (for cooking onions & meatballs)
- In med skillet over med heat, add 1 TBSP olive oil. Add chopped onions and cook until just tender. Add in garlic. Remove from heat.
- Place ground meat in large mixing bowl. Add egg, coconut flour, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, & parsley. With spoon or using clean hands, gently mix together.
- Add onion & garlic to meat mixture and mix to combine.
- Using your hands, shape into small balls (approx 1½" in size).
- In a large skillet over med/high heat, add 2 TBSP olive oil. Cook meatballs in batches until browned on all sides, remove from pan and place on paper towel to drain off excess fat.
- Once all meatballs have been browned, place onto baking sheet and place in preheated 350* oven for about 5-8 minutes to finish cooking.
Here’s a few more Whole 30 recipes that you might enjoy!
**Disclaimer, if you’re following any of my recipes that I note as Whole 30 compliant, please check your ingredient labels first as they can vary.
Beef and Broccoli
Blackened Salmon w/Avocado Mango Salsa
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Looks fabulous and sounds really healthy. I never thought to swap out bread crumbs for a gluten free flour. Will be trying this soon.
Whole30 compliant? How perfect! With only 9 days left, I’m on the hunt for some exciting new recipes to try! These look great! 🙂
Great looking meatballs. Does the coconut flour have any taste? It sounds like a great substitute for breadcrumbs or wheat flour.
This was my first time using coconut flour and it worked great in the meatballs. I did not notice any flavor from it at all.
This looks really good! I would definitely try this version out. Mark (above) has a good question. I’m wondering the same thing.
Hi April, I just replied to Mark also. I didn’t notice any difference using the coconut flour vs breadcrumbs (like I usually use).
Do these freeze well? They look like the best recipe i’ve seen for whole30 meatballs! Thank you!
what if i don’t have coconut flour can I just nix it?
I’m making these now! Can’t wait to try them ????
My family is full of meatball fanatics! As long as it’s a homemade meatball, they like it. I’m going to have to try these! 🙂
I just linked your Whole approved meatballs recipe to my Christmas Meal Plan which goes with my Christmas Ebook! Great Recipe.
AMAZE BALLS! I made them last night with almond flour and dried parsley flakes (I didn’t have fresh), and it turned out fantastic. So flavorful! My dog was drooling and he never does! 🙂 Any chance you know the calorie count per serving?
Could you please provide a link to the Beef and Broccoli recipe? It looks delicious!
Delicious! I made these last night. I didn’t have coconut flour so I used almond flour instead. No parsley either. Great density and flavor!
The coconut flour ruined the taste and texture of these meatballs.
I agree – I could definitely taste the sweetness of the coconut. It wasn’t the end of the world, but I wonder if almond flour would work better? (I have a tree nut allergy so can’t give that a whirl). Otherwise, grateful for the recipe and appreciate the push to experiment a little.
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