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.
Paleo Thanksgiving Meatballs
Ingredients
- 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 teaspoon sage
- 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1-2 tablespoon coconut flour sifted*
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
I used standard ground beef- If you use a leaner cut, it would require slightly less cooking times.
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!
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!
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
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!
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: https://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!
LOLZ balls.
These look good. I’m normally not a meatball fan but with the cranberries, these look fabulous.
Cheers, Hollie! Expect more…balls.
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.
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.