Glow and Hustle

These easy paleo meatballs are juicy, grain-free, and perfect for busy weeknights. This paleo meatball recipe is made with simple ingredients and a clean tapioca flour binder, making it toddler-approved and perfect with pasta, veggies, or your favorite marinara sauce. They even taste great on their own. My son has texture sensitivities and tends not to like foods with sauces, and he eats them as-is. 

I personally also go for 85/15 ground beef. This means the ground beef is 85% lean meat and 15% fat. I prefer this ratio because it tends to hold its shape well when cooked without drying out. 

Why You’ll Love Paleo Meatballs:

• Grain-free and dairy-free
• Toddler and picky-eater friendly
• Juicy and flavorful
• Easy to make and freeze
• Nutrient-dense

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef 
• 1 lb. ground pork 
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp. tapioca flour
• Spice Mix:
  • 1.5 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp of each dried herb: parsley, oregano, thyme, and basil

How to Make Easy Paleo Meatballs:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a small bowl, mix all spices and set aside.
4. In a large bowl, combine beef, pork, eggs, and tapioca flour. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Add spice mix and gently combine.
6. Form meatballs and place on a baking sheet, spacing 1.5–2 inches apart.
7. Bake for 20–25 minutes until internal temp reaches 160°F.

Tips for the Best Paleo Meatballs:

• Do not overmix the meat to keep it tender
• Use 85/15 beef for the best balance of flavor and moisture
• Use a cookie scoop for even sizing
• Make sure meatballs reach 160°F internally

FAQ:

How do I store paleo meatballs? Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze paleo meatballs? Yes, freezing is highly recommended for future meals.

Can I make these without pork? Yes, substitute with an additional pound of ground beef.

What can I serve with paleo meatballs? Serve with marinara, pasta, zucchini noodles, roasted vegetables, or sweet potatoes.

Ingredient Quality Tips:

Seek out grass-fed and grass-finished beef and pork that is organic, pasture-raised, and antibiotic-free to optimize nutrient density and support clean eating. 

Labels should specify if beef is grass-finished. Many labels will say grass-fed, but including ‘grass-finished’ adds another element to be considered for health benefits. ‘Grass-finished’ means the cattle eat only grass and forage, and are not grain-fed/finished. 

Why does this matter? Grass-fed, grass-finished beef has been shown to have higher Omega-3s, CLA, and vitamins compared to grain-finished beef. 

Enjoy!

References:

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2846864/#sec10 
• https://animalscience.tamu.edu/department-updates/ground-beef-from-grass-fed-and-grain-fed-cattle-does-it-matter/