Learn how to make the best gluten-free meatballs with this easy recipe. They’re just as tender, juicy, and flavorful as regular meatballs! Serve them with our easy homemade marinara sauce, or have them with our creamy avocado pesto!
Meatballs are incredibly versatile and there are so many different ways to make them! For more gluten-free meatball recipes, try Greek Chicken Meatballs, Baked Bison Meatballs, and Air Fryer Cheese Stuffed Meatballs next!
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I love meatballs but they are one of those sneaky foods that often contain gluten. But there’s no need to deny yourself this classic entree. Swap regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free and you can’t even tell the difference! I adapted this recipe from my juicy Gluten-Free Burger Recipe. These meatballs are super tender, flavorful, and you can enjoy them with or without any sauce!
Reasons This Gluten-Free Meatballs Recipe Works
- Restaurant Quality! If you’re on a gluten-free journey, dining out can be tough. Use this recipe to make your own meatballs. They taste just as good if not better than what you’d get at an Italian restaurant. But you know exactly what’s in them.
- Versatile! There are so many ways to serve this family favorite. Stick a toothpick in them and enjoy them as an appetizer at gatherings, add them to gluten-free spaghetti, or make a meatball sub. You can even switch it up and serve these meatballs with our creamy avocado pesto or place use them as a topping on our spinach artichoke pizza!
- Amazing Taste and Texture! It may be tempting to buy a bag of frozen meatballs at the grocery store but they’re usually bland, spongy, and loaded with sodium. These homemade gluten-free meatballs are moist, savory, flavorful bites of seasoned ground meat, enhanced with aromatic spices and herbs.
Are Meatballs Gluten-Free?
Most meatballs are not gluten-free because they contain wheat-based breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs help the meatballs retain moisture. So unless it is specified on a label or a restaurant menu, it’s safe to assume that any meatballs you purchase are not gluten-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef: Alternatively, you can use ground pork, ground chicken, or ground lamb.
- Gluten-free bread crumbs: I like Schär gluten-free breadcrumbs because they are easy to find in most grocery stores. My favorite breadcrumbs are Aleia’s gluten-free and dairy-free breadcrumbs. They are high quality and work perfectly as a filler. I use them in my Maryland Crab Cake Recipe too!
- Seasoning: Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. If you are using Italian breadcrumbs, feel free to omit the additional Italian seasoning.
- White onion and garlic cloves: Add this to the meat mixture for the taste of garlic and onions in each bite. Be sure to chop the onions and garlic small so you do not have large chunks ruining the texture of your meatballs.
- Large Egg: Whisked eggs act as a binder and maintain the structure of the meatballs.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped and added in for fresh, herbaceous flavor. It may not seem like it, but fresh parsley makes a huge difference and enhances the flavor of the meatballs.
How to Make Gluten-Free Meatballs
- PREP. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- MIX INGREDIENTS. In a large bowl, combine ground meat (such as beef or a mix of beef and pork), breadcrumbs, minced garlic, beaten eggs, herbs, and spices. Mix until well combined.
- FORM MEATBALLS. Take a small portion (about 2-3 tbsp) of the mixture and roll it between your palms to form meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a cast iron skillet.
- BAKE GLUTEN-FREE MEATBALLS. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and browned on the outside.
- CHECK FOR DONENESS. To ensure they’re fully cooked, cut one meatball in half to make sure there’s no pink in the center.
- If you would like to serve your meatballs with marinara sauce, pour the marinara sauce into the cast iron with the meatballs. To spice the dish up a bit, add a few cloves of minced garlic, chopped basil, and chopped parsley. Bake for 10 minutes, or until warmed through.
- SERVE & ENJOY. Once done, serve the baked meatballs on their own, with pasta, in a sandwich, or any way you prefer.
Tips To Nail the Recipe
- Use fresh ground meat for the best results. If frozen, thaw the meat first.
- Avoid lean meat. Use 85/15 beef because it has a higher fat content, for juicier meatballs.
- Let the ground beef mixture rest for 30 minutes prior to making the meatballs in order to allow the flavors to meld.
- Avoid overcooking the meatballs or run the risk of having dry meatballs.
- The meatballs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Check with a meat thermometer.
Recipe Variations
- Flavor: Some gluten-free meatball recipes use Worcestershire sauce for umami flavor. If you use that, get a gluten-free variety, like this WanJaShan Organic Gluten Free Worcestershire Sauce.
- Cheese: If you want to add some cheese to the mixture, shredded parmesan cheese is a delicious addition. Add a quarter cup, or more if you like your meatballs extra cheesy.
- Beef/Pork Mixture: A popular combination for meatballs is a mixture of beef and pork. If you decide to mix ground beef with pork, then use 90% lean ground beef.
Storage
Store meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the microwave.
Can I freeze the meatballs?
Yes, you can certainly freeze these gluten-free meatballs for longer storage. Store the meatballs in a Ziplock bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen meatballs overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs
Can you make meatballs without breadcrumbs?
Certainly! To make meatballs without breadcrumbs try gluten-free rolled oats or crackers as substitutes. Or skip the filler completely. I swap between adding filler and not. For a gluten-free meatball recipe without filler, try my Easy Lamb Kofta (Meatballs) recipe!
What is a good substitute for breadcrumbs in gluten-free meatballs?
You can always use gluten-free bread. Just remove the crust, tear it into small pieces, and add it to the meat mixture. You can also try gluten-free rolled oats. Just be sure to blend them into a flour-like consistency first. I use rolled oat flour in my Vegan Eggplant Meatball Recipe.
What brands of meatballs are gluten-free?
Brands like Impossible, Rosina, and Aidells offer gluten-free meatball options. Always read the package to ensure it is gluten-free before consuming.
What are gluten-free meatballs made of?
Make gluten-free meatballs with ground meat, eggs, fresh herbs, seasoning, and gluten-free bread or breadcrumbs.
I Hope You Enjoy This Gluten-Free Meatball recipe!
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More Gluten-Free Beef Recipes To Try!
How To Make The Best Gluten-free Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef or ground pork, chicken, or lamb
- 1/2 cup Gluten-free bread crumbs like Schär of Aleia's gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup Small white onion finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt or as desired
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
- 4 Garlic cloves minced
- 1 Large egg whisked
- 3 teaspoon Fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Mixing Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground meat (such as beef or a mix of beef and pork), breadcrumbs, minced garlic, beaten eggs, herbs, and spices. Mix until well combined.
- Forming Meatballs: Take a small portion (about 2-3 tbsp) of the mixture and roll it between your palms to form meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a cast iron skillet.
- Baking: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and browned on the outside. Check for Doneness: To ensure they're fully cooked, cut one meatball in half to make sure there's no pink in the center.
- If you would like to serve your meatballs with marinara sauce, pour the marinara sauce into the cast iron with the meatballs. To spice the dish up a bit, add a few cloves of minced garlic, chopped basil, and chopped parsley. Bake for 10 minutes, or until warmed through.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once done, serve the baked meatballs on their own, with pasta, in a sandwich, or any way you prefer.
