Paleo ‘Thanksgiving’ Meatballs
This post title would perhaps have you asking two very serious questions.
1. Why is an Australian posting a Thanksgiving recipe when it’s not celebrated in his home country?
2. Why would an Australian be posting a recipe with the word ‘Thanksgiving’ in it AFTER Thanksgiving?
Well, hear me out. After reading blog posts, tweets, Facebook comments and even the media about Thanksgiving- Some epic FOMO happened. It was even worse than when I mentioned it in Monday’s post. Some of you suggested I throw a Thanksgiving dinner which sounded like a good plan but alas- due to some logistics, lack of desire to slave with a bird and a minor issue called ‘work’- It wasn’t a possibility.
Last year, I posted a recipe for ‘Thanksgiving Meatloaf Muffins’ which were pretty much all the best parts of the Thanksgiving meal combined into a muffin. Think stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes and even some cheeky cranberries. I had completely forgotten about that recipe until a couple of weeks ago when the blog world went Thanksgiving gaga.
This year, I decided to have my own thanksgiving dinner which was pretty much making those same muffins- but with what I had on hand.
Last year- Ground Turkey.
This year- Ground lean beef.
Last year- Mashed sweet potato.
This year– Mashed pumpkin.
Last year- A stuffing mixture.
This year- Coconut flour to bind.
Last year- Fresh cranberries.
This year- Dried cranberries.
Last year- Make in muffin tins to make them puuuuuurty.
This year- Fry them and cut the time by 40 minutes. They still are puuuuurty.
So maybe not the standard Thanksgiving fare. Oh well, let’s just say I ‘Aussie-fied‘ it.
Okay. I was lazy. I had no ground turkey. I wanted to partake. I think fresh cranberries make balls soggy. Wait, what?
These meatballs taste delicious regardless of seasonal or not. The combination of spices and the sweet and salty flavours take it to the next level. These pair well with some roasted potatoes with dinner to made during food prep and eaten cold, hot or over an ice cream sundae (don’t hold me to that). The best thing is- You can have fun with your thanksgiving leftovers now!
Not only that- The beauty of these meatballs is how easy it is to adapt- You can use any ground meat and any mashed starch. Not paleo? Use breadcrumbs or even stuffing! Don’t have cranberries? Chuck…..I don’t know blueberries in it. Green beans. Anything!
Maybe try not to add pumpkin or pecan pie in it. That’s all.
- 500 grams ground beef (can sub for any ground meat)
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (can sub for any mashed starch)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp sage
- 1/2 tsp marjoram
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1-2 T coconut flour, sifted*
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, mashed pumpkin and egg. Add the spices and mix until fully incorporated. Slowly add the sifted coconut flour until the mixture is firm yet still moist. Form into golf ball sized balls and set aside.
- Coat a frying pan generously with olive oil/butter/coconut oil and once heat on medium heat. When hot, add the meatballs to the pan and cook on high for 3-4 minutes before flipping cooking for another 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Continue the process until all the meatballs are cooked.
- Serve immediately or allow to cool completely before freezing or refrigerating.
- All brands of coconut flour differ- You may need more or less to achieve the texture to form meatballs.
- I used standard ground beef- If you use a leaner cut, it would require slightly less cooking times.
Linking up with these amazing parties- #recipeoftheweek, RealfoodWednesdays, Share your stuff Tuesdays, simple supper Tuesdays and Gluten Free Wednesdays, and what’s cookin’ Wednesdays,#glutenfreefridays, glutenfreetuesdays with some weekend pot luck lovin
Linking up my with the epic crew- Taylor, Krista, Melanie and Gloria for some Show Stopper Saturday action! Also linking up with the SIT Girl’s Saturday Sharefest, DIY With the SITS and Foodie Friday!
Please excuse things being quiet around here for a couple of days- I mentioned an exciting opportunity in last Sunday’s post– Promise I’ll update you all soon!
If you celebrated Thanksgiving, what was your favourite meal?
How do you use up leftovers?
What is your favourite ground meat?
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Yummy!! I love the flavour combination, and the herbs that you used. I have been suffering with you from feeling like being the only one who’s not having a thanksgiving feast! Poor us.
What is regular ground beef that you use? (Fat ratio). Here it’s 18% fat. The reduced ones have weird additives in them though… I guess I would make these with my beloved hokkaido squash/pumpkin and oats as “bread crumbs”. They would be the perfect thing to take with me to uni and make everyone jealous who dares to watch me eat! 😀 have a nice weekend, dude!
Promise me next year we’ll have our own Thanksgiving meal- somewhere- even if it means over Skype haha!
Hmm…I think our regular ground beef is what they call 3 star mince- I think the fat ratio is higher than 18%.
YES we should do that!
LOLZ balls.
These look good. I’m normally not a meatball fan but with the cranberries, these look fabulous.
Cheers, Hollie! Expect more…balls.
My one change would be ground turkey, I mean HELLO thanksgiving. But I would never question any thanksgiving recipe, they are all welcome in my book—it’s my favorite holiday!
I did that in my original recipe but only had beef on hand 🙁
I love the addition of the great pumpkin in there 😉
I was always (and still am) grossed out by ground meat. But I do like to make chicken burgers/meatballs every once in awhile with it!
Haha, add pumpkin to blooming everything!
Love this idea! Actually I just love meatballs….balls…..love balls. ….um, what?
Naughty. Too many balls coming in the next few weeeks…oops.
SOGGY BALLS AW YEAH.
I’m sorry that I will never make these because, well, meat. But they DO look delicious! Off to stalk all your non-meaty posts that I missed…BRB.
Those are your favourite kind, aren’t they. Geebuz.
Next year when we run the NYC marathon together, I’m making you these.
We must be reading each other’s minds. I made meatballs last night too, although I did turkey and sundried tomatoes in a roasted red pepper sauce.
Any meatballs are good with me though.
Urgh, Dannii this is why we’re mates. But we’d be better mates if yo made those meatballs for me.
They just opened up a restaurant here called the ‘Meatball and Wine Co.’ Hello.
YOU CAN’T POST A RECIPE FOR THANKSGIVING – IT’S OUR DAY!
Jkjkjk this looks killer – I’d replace the beef with chicken and voila — perfect meat balls.
YES. Do it.
You can’t sit with us.
These look great! I have been looking for new meatball recipe. Thnks for sharing!
No worries, Lauren! Enjoy!
yay for balls not made soggy my fresh cranberries. It’s a recurring fear of mine.
Also, I had to google marjoram #foodiefail
LOL. I forgive you.
DID you fix your bloglovin
I’m going to make pumpkin pie meatballs and make you eat them.
I’m going to chase you with a pitchfork and send you to the shrieking shack.
omg pumpkin in meatballs?! Staaahp it! This is too genius!
Excuse me. This looks like bloody water compared to your sandwiches.
Of course you would post paleo pumpkin-fied meaty balls. The Hubby would probably like them. Whatevs.
He would. And that is why he is awesome.
It’s so strange to me to see how much the world knows about my culture, when I’m in a different country learning about traditions I didn’t know existed. Thanks to American media!
These look great- I’ve never added cranberries to a meatloaf/meatball, but sounds delicious 🙂
It’s the perfect sweet/salty combination- and just so ever tart!
PS Hi From Malaysia- about to head off now it’s boiling!
oh my gosh, meatballs are the best. These look awesome. We only have leftovers to last us about one dinner, so I’ll be looking to make some yummy dinners over the next few days!
YES! Make these- so good and so easy and so puuuuuurty.
THAT CRUST. Nailed it.
Also crusty? My stuffing after I put some egg into it and smacked some into a waffle maker. Idea from this recipe: http://realfoodbydad.com/turkey-and-waffles-thats-waffled-stuffing/
How could you say no?
Mom also made turkey congee with all the bones and some of the leftover meat. We needed Asian-ness.
Dude! I saw that and was shocked/awed simultaneously!
And you’re making me these too when I come… Yes, yes you are. Thanks!
Um.. yes.
Uhhhh HELLO DELICIOUS. I actually really love the idea of doing a post-Thanksgiving meatball recipe to use up leftovers. That is, if my family had any leftovers… We cleaned house on a 20 lb bird between us and our extended family haha. Also, I hate when cranberries make my balls soggy ;). Terrible, just terrible. My poor balls.
I expect an invitation next year.
Don’t be mean to your balls. Nurture them.
If this is how Aussie’s do Thanksgiving, then I only have one question for you. Why in the heck do you guys not celebrate Turkey Day?? (Haha…just kidding. I know why.) Seriously, though, these meatballs look amazing. I’m pretty sure I need to go make them right now. Nevermind the obscene amount of leftovers in my fridge…I NEED MEATBALLS!
I think if there was a storm or natural disaster- your home or rather your fridge/freezer would be my location of choice.
Hahaha, Aussies will take the world one day! Those meatballs look excellent, sir 🙂
Thanks Lily- appreciate it!
Ohhh-mah-gurrrrd! #thatisall
Come over for some! 😉
Oooh, these meatballs look amazing, Arman! I love that you used coconut flour in them, too. I feel like its kind of a magical ingredient in so many recipes. Thanks for sharing on Gluten-Free Wednesday with us all! Will share more later! 🙂
Shirley
YES! Ever since I went gluten free, it’s been my saviour and I love how it is like a sponge!
You are a gem, Shirley!
Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays Party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you share next time!
-Cindy
Wondering what temperature to bake these at and how long? I’m literally making them right now so I am hoping that I get a response soon LOL
Hi Tomi, I haven’t tried baking them but let me know how it turns out 🙂