Low Carb Keto Meatballs that are tender, flavorful, and use minimal ingredients. You are going to love how quickly these keto meatballs pull together.
You can make these low carb meatballs in an oven or a slow cooker!
Just make sure to save room for dessert. These Low Carb Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies are perfect.
Keto Meatballs
We have a couple of options for making these Low Carb Keto Meatballs so be sure to check them out and make which one works best for your lifestyle.
I am working on a Keto Marinara Sauce. When I get it finished I'll update this post but until then Keto Pizza Sauce goes really well with these meatballs.
Why you'll Love these Keto Meatballs
First off, the flavor of these keto meatballs is insanely delicious. These low carb meatballs are packed with healthy ingredients and savory spices, so the flavor is truly out of this world.
Second, these keto meatballs are simple to make and they use minimal ingredients. Also, these meatballs work with all types of sauces like BBQ sauce, marinara sauce, and cream based sauces.
They also store really well, which we share more about below. They are truly a perfect meatball and they can be made by anyone.
These low carb meatballs work as a keto appetizer and a keto meal! And if you love meatballs, you might like these Venison Meatballs.
For an allergy friendly meatball recipe, try these Gluten Free Dairy Free Meatballs.
What meat do you use to make keto meatballs?
For this low carb meatball recipe you can use beef, chicken, or turkey. They all work beautifully and if you'd like you can use a combination of meats.
The key is in the fat content of the meat you are using. Chicken and turkey tend to be leaner, so you’ll want to use a 93% – 98% lean beef to make these keto meatballs.
Dairy Free Keto Meatballs
If you can’t have dairy you can always leave the Parmesan out or substitute in your favorite dairy-free cheese.
The Parmesan adds to the flavor and texture but these low carb meatballs will still be tender and flavorful without it.
Ingredients to Make Low Carb Meatballs
Ground beef - You can also use ground pork, or ground chicken, or ground turkey, or a combination of proteins. When we make up a double batch of keto meatballs, we like to mix two different proteins.
Almond meal (or additional Parmesan Cheese) - You can also use crushed keto crackers or you can use these keto chips, crushed, in place of the almond meal if you like.
Parmesan cheese - Fresh grated is better, in our opinion, but you can use store bought grated parmesan.
Salt - For flavor and to enhance the other flavors.
Pepper - For flavor. Use as much or as little as you like.
Onion Powder - For flavor. Make sure you're using onion powder, not onion salt.
Garlic Powder - For flavor. Make sure you're using garlic powder, not garlic salt.
Dried Parsley - We recommend using dried parsley but you can add fresh chopped parsley if you like.
Egg - Don't leave this out! It helps hold everything together and adds more fat and protein.
Low carb sauce of choice - This keto gravy is incredible on meatballs. You can also use Keto BBQ Sauce.
You could also use dried gluten free bread, if you don't need to keep these strictly keto.
For a list of quantities, please see the recipe card below.
How to make Low Carb Meatballs
You guys are going to think I’m ridiculous, but it only take five easy steps to make gluten-free meatballs.
- Preheat your oven and line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix all the ingredients in one bowl.
- Roll the mixture into balls.
- Bake.
Yeah, it’s that easy. And it’s less expensive than buying the same amount of low carb meatballs at the store. Please do yourself a favor and give this low carb keto meatball recipe a try next time you are craving them.
Freezing Keto Meatballs
If you are going to freeze some of these low carb meatballs, you'll want to bake them first. After they bake, let them cool to room temperature, and then freeze them in a airtight container.
They should stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months, depending on the conditions of the freezer.
When you are ready to enjoy these low carb meatballs, you can reheat them like you would any other frozen cooked meatball, at room temperate, in the fridge overnight, or in an oven or microwave.
We recommend not adding any sauce to these keto meatballs until you're ready to enjoy them.
Low Carb Meatballs in a Slow Cooker
We love serving easy low carb meatballs at parties and BBQ’s. Sometimes we toss them in a slow cooker and let them cook in our favorite sauce – one jar of a keto friendly marinara sauce + one jar of salsa.
Here’s what you need to do to cook keto meatballs in a slow cooker.
Pour 28-32 oz of your favorite keto friendly tomato based meatball sauce (or 1 jar of keto friendly marinara sauce + 14 oz. of your favorite salsa) into a slow cooker.
Tuck each meatball into the sauce, making sure that they are submerged. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours.
Not all slow cookers are created equal, so please check to make sure that the internal temperature for the meatballs is at least 160F, or that you can’t see any pink.
You can keep these low carb meatballs warm on the warm setting, just make sure to give them a stir before you serve them.
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Low Carb Meatballs (Keto Meatballs)
Low Carb Keto Meatballs that are tender, flavorful, and use minimal ingredients. You are going to love how quickly these keto meatballs pull together.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. 93% lean ground beef (or pork, chicken, or turkey)
- ¼ cup almond meal (or an additional ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese)
- ¼ grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Line a 13x9-inch baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- In large bowl, mix all ingredients. Shape meatball mixture into 24 (1 ½-inch) meatballs. Place meatballs 1 inch apart on your baking sheet.
- Bake uncovered for 18 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Serve warm with your favorite keto friendly sauce.
Notes
- Slow Cooker Option: Pour 28-32 oz of your favorite keto friendly tomato based meatball sauce (or 1 jar of keto friendly marinara sauce + 14 oz. of your favorite salsa) into a slow cooker. Tuck each meatball into the sauce, making sure that they are submerged. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours.
- Dairy-Free Option: If you can't have dairy you can always leave the Parmesan out or substitute in your favorite dairy-free cheese.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 3 meatballsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 151Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 195mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 18g
These macro's include using almond flour but do not include the keto friendly marinara sauce. Please check your ingredients nutritional information for an actual count.
Donna L
Hi Crystal, I have them assembled and ready to slow cook for a labor day cookout tomorrow. I doubled the amount of meat but have no idea how you got 24 out of 1 lb! I got 30 out of 2 lbs and made them at 1 & 1/4 ounces each. I also forgot to put the parm in them and realized it afterwards. Can't wait to try them tomorrow!!
Four Score Living
Hi Donna,
There's a chance that I rolled them smaller the day I was keeping track of how many I made. I'll double check next time 🙂 How did they turn out without the parm?
Gail
Hi,
Just curious what do you normally serve with the meatball? I think might try these tonight.
Gail
Four Score Living
Hi Gail,
If you have some carbs left for the day (assuming you are counting net carbs), you could do a sugar free marinara sauce. These also taste really good with cream sauces and medium salsa.
Robin Rose
Hi I'm wondering about the nutritional information. It says 3 meat balls are 314 calories and 28 grams of protein. Is that correct? For 3 little 1 inch balls? The yield says 8 in the nutrition, but at the top it says 24... is the 3 balls really what it says it is or is that based off of the percentage of the yield being 8? I'm confused! Lol tastymeatballs tho, no denying that!
Four Score Living
Hi Robin,
It sounds like the nutritional info must've reset when the plugin updated. I will fix it. But no, there are not 314 calories in 3 meatballs.
Fitoru
This meatball recipe looks so delicious! I can't wait to try this one. Thanks for sharing!
Sue
I made these for dinner tonight! I made them with Isernio’s Ground Chicken with Garlic and Herbs. I made them with the 1/2 Almond Flour. Next time I think I will use less. They were a little “doughy”, if that makes sense. I put some Sugar Free Bbq sauce on them and it helped. I was able to get 24 meatballs. Just used a regular small spoon as the guide. I also cooked them on a bar pan with parchment paper with canola oil spray to prevent sticking. Thank you for the recipe!
Four Score Living
I am so glad you liked them. Thank you for sharing what you used. Ground chicken is a softer/more tender than ground beef, which could be why they were a little soft.
Robin
Hi just wondering the yield at the top says 24 but the yield in the nutritional info says 8? 24 seems like a lot for 1 lb no? Sounds yummy tho!
Four Score Living
Thanks for the catch Robin. This recipe makes 24 1-inch meatballs.
Nicole
Can these be meal prepped and frozen?
Four Score Living
Yes, I recommend baking them, letting them cool to room temp, and then freezing them.
Cherie
I haven't tried the meatballs yet, they sound amazing. I was wondering what side dish could you have with them or just a salad. Im having to change my way of cooking, my husband has just found out he is a diabetic and has to watch his sugar and carbs.
Four Score Living
Hi Cherie,
For side dishes you can add a green vegetable, like brocolli, or a salad, and you could do something like a keto roll or keto "pasta". There are several versions of hearts of palm made into "rice" or "pasta" that we really like. Check Trader Joes and Amazon. You can also make flavored "rice" with cauliflower rice. I hope that helps.
Rebecca
How well do these hold up with only parmesan cheese. These are very similar to my regular meatball recipe but without the bread. I want something easy without the almond flour or using pork rinds
Four Score Living
They should hold up between the parmesan and egg.
Cassy
Just wanted to say these were delicious and a major hit with my family! I did substitute the almond meal for equal amount of crushed pork rinds, but wow did they turn out great! Thanks will definitely be making again!
Four Score Living
I am so glad your family loved them. Thank you for letting me know.
Sharon Leslie
Delicious and easy! Substituted nutritional yeast for Parmesan. Will make again!
Four Score Living
We're so glad you loved it. Thank you for taking the time to stop back by and let us know.
The Four Score Living Team
Jen
Looking forward to making these based on the reviews! Still seeing 331 calories for 3 meatballs....would you be able to provide the correct yield/serving size/nutritional information?
Thanks
Four Score Living
Hi Jen,
Sorry about that! When the nutrition calculator updates, it sometimes throws the numbers off. It's updated now. We hope you love them!
Cheers,
The Four Score Living Team