Keto Meatballs: Delicious And Healthy Side Dish Ideas

Meatballs are a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or appetiser. Keto meatballs are typically made without breadcrumbs, making them a suitable option for those following a keto diet.

When it comes to sides, there are several options to choose from. For a classic Italian meal, serve the meatballs with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. If you're looking for a more indulgent option, try serving them with keto garlic bread or cauliflower breadsticks.

Salads, such as an antipasto salad or a Mediterranean salad, can also be a great side dish to accompany the meatballs.

So, whether you're looking for a low-carb option or simply wanting to add some variety to your meal, there are plenty of sides that will complement keto meatballs.

Keto-friendly sides: zoodles, cauliflower rice, salad, grilled veggies, and asparagus

Zoodles, or zucchini noodles, are a great low-carb alternative to traditional pasta. They pair well with meatballs and can be served with a tomato or marinara sauce.

Cauliflower rice

Cauliflower rice is a versatile and low-carb option that can be served as a side dish with meatballs. It can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as cauliflower fried rice or simply seasoned with butter, salt, and pepper.

Salad

A fresh and healthy option, salad can be served as a side to meatballs. You can get creative with your choice of greens, dressings, and toppings to create a filling and satisfying meal.

Grilled veggies

Grilled mixed vegetables are a simple and filling side dish. You can toss your favourite garden veggies with olive oil, salt, and black pepper, and grill them to perfection. A squeeze of lemon juice adds a refreshing touch.

Asparagus

Asparagus is a tasty and healthy side dish that can be cooked in just a few minutes. It pairs well with meatballs and provides a nutritious boost to your meal.

These keto-friendly side dishes offer a variety of flavours and textures to complement your meatballs, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal.

Keto meatball recipes: Italian-style, Asian-style, Alfredo and cheese, pizza, and BBQ

Keto Meatball Recipes and Sides

Italian-Style Keto Meatballs

These juicy and tender meatballs are perfect for a family dinner. They are quick and easy to make and go well with zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or steamed vegetables.

Ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Egg
• Finely chopped onion
• Freshly minced garlic
• Freshly grated or refrigerated parmesan cheese
• Breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds
• Olive oil
• Tomato sauce (passata or unsweetened pasta sauce)
• Italian seasonings or fresh parsley and basil
• Salt and pepper

Steps to Make:

• Mix all meatball ingredients and shape into small bite-sized balls.
• Fry the meatballs in olive oil over medium heat until brown.
• Prepare the marinara sauce by frying onions and garlic, then adding tomato sauce, Italian seasonings, and salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the meatballs back to the sauce and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning regularly.

Sides:

These meatballs can be served over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or steamed vegetables.

Asian-Style Keto Meatballs

These Asian-style turkey meatballs are full of flavor and can be served as an appetizer or with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Ingredients:

• Ground turkey
• Crushed pork rinds or almond flour
• Green onion
• Coconut aminos
• Ground ginger
• Black pepper
• Blackstrap molasses (optional)
• Sesame oil
• Garlic powder

Steps to Make:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet.
• Mix all meatball ingredients except ground turkey. Then add turkey and mix until combined.
• Use a small cookie scoop to form 1-inch meatballs and place on the baking sheet.
• Bake for about 10 minutes until cooked through, then broil for 1-3 minutes to brown.
• Whisk together the sauce ingredients and simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened.
• Toss the sauce with the meatballs before serving.

Sides:

These meatballs can be served with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Keto Meatballs in Alfredo Sauce

This recipe combines juicy meatballs with a creamy alfredo sauce and mushrooms.

Ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Parmigiano-reggiano cheese
• Heavy cream
• Unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper
• Mushrooms

Steps to Make:

• Mix the ground beef with seasonings and form into balls.
• Pan-fry the meatballs with a lid for 10 minutes, then turn and fry for another 2 minutes.
• Add mushrooms and saute for 2 minutes.
• Prepare the alfredo sauce by melting butter, adding cream, and whisking in the cheese.
• Add the alfredo sauce to the meatballs, top with cheese, and cook until the cheese melts.

Sides:

No sides were mentioned in the source, but a green salad or roasted vegetables would complement this dish.

BBQ Keto Meatballs

These BBQ meatballs are perfect as an appetizer or served over mashed cauliflower.

Ingredients:

• Lean ground beef
• BBQ-flavored pork rinds
• Grated cheddar cheese
• Heavy cream
• Water
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Reduced sugar ketchup
• Italian salad dressing

Steps to Make:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet.
• Mix the ground beef, pork rinds, cheddar, cream, water, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
• Roll the mixture into 15 small meatballs and place on the baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until cooked through.
• Whisk together the ketchup and salad dressing to make the BBQ sauce.
• Brush the sauce over the meatballs and broil for 1-2 minutes until the sauce caramelizes.

Sides:

These meatballs can be served over mashed cauliflower or with a green salad.

Keto meatball ingredients: ground beef, pork, turkey, garlic, Parmesan, parsley, egg, salt, pepper, mozzarella, and almond flour

Keto Meatballs

Ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Ground turkey
• Garlic
• Parmesan
• Parsley
• Egg
• Salt
• Pepper
• Mozzarella
• Almond flour

Method:

• In a large bowl, combine the beef, garlic, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into 16 bite-sized meatballs.
• Place a non-stick pan over medium heat and add olive oil. Once hot, add the meatballs and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning regularly, until browned.
• Remove the meatballs from the pan and place them on a plate.
• Prepare the sauce by heating olive oil in the frying pan. Add the onions and garlic and cook until fragrant. Then, add the remaining ingredients for the sauce and bring to a simmer.
• Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning regularly.
• Remove the meatballs and sauce from the heat and serve over low-carb pasta or your favourite low-carb vegetables.

Tips:

• For the sauce, you can use a keto marinara sauce, keto spaghetti sauce, pomodoro sauce, or sugo.
• To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or in the freezer for up to six months.
• To reheat, microwave the meatballs for 1-2 minutes or heat them in a non-stick pan until warm.

Keto meatball cooking methods: baking, air-frying, pan-frying, and broiling

There are several ways to cook keto meatballs, each with its own advantages and unique results. Here are detailed instructions for baking, air-frying, pan-frying, and broiling your keto meatballs.

Baking Keto Meatballs

Baking is an excellent hands-off approach to cooking keto meatballs, allowing you to prepare other dishes simultaneously. Here are the steps to bake keto meatballs:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, aluminium foil, or a silicone baking mat. If using foil, spray it with cooking spray.
• Combine all the meatball ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
• Form the mixture into 1-inch balls. You can use a cookie scoop for consistent portions.
• Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, then broil for an additional 5-10 minutes to achieve a crispy crust.
• Baking gives the meatballs a delicious seared exterior without the need for additional oil.

Air-Frying Keto Meatballs

Air-frying is a convenient and healthy option for cooking keto meatballs without adding extra carbs. Here's how to do it:

• Lightly grease the basket of your air fryer.
• Combine all the meatball ingredients and form them into balls using your hands.
• Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook for about 13-14 minutes, or until lightly browned and cooked through.
• Air-frying yields tasty, saucy meatballs that can be enjoyed on their own or with zucchini noodles.

Pan-Frying Keto Meatballs

Pan-frying is the classic method for cooking meatballs, resulting in amazing flavours and a crispy texture. Here's a guide:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a few tablespoons of oil or bacon grease.
• Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook, turning occasionally, until golden on all sides (about 8-10 minutes).
• Remove the meatballs from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease.
• Pan-frying allows you to develop a delicious crust on the meatballs while still keeping them juicy.

Broiling Keto Meatballs

Broiling is an optional step that can be added after baking meatballs to achieve a crispy, browned exterior. Here's how to do it:

• After baking the meatballs, turn on your oven's broiler.
• Place the pan of meatballs 6-8 inches from the heat source and broil for 4-5 minutes, or until browned and crisp.
• Flip the meatballs and broil the other side for an additional 4-5 minutes.
• Broiling gives the meatballs a similar crust to pan-frying without the need to stand over the stove.

Keto meatball serving suggestions: keto pasta, salads, keto breads, and vegetable sides

Keto meatballs are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to accompany your meatballs, all while maintaining a keto diet:

Keto pasta

Keto pasta is a great option to serve with meatballs. Some ideas for keto-friendly pasta include:

• Zucchini noodles (zoodles)
• Spaghetti squash
• Keto gnocchi
• Keto egg noodles
• Zucchini roll-ups

Salads

Salads are a refreshing side dish to accompany the heartiness of meatballs. Some salad ideas include:

• Three-green salad
• Antipasto salad
• Avocado Caprese salad
• Chopped Mediterranean salad

Keto breads

Keto breads are another option to soak up all the delicious meatball juices. Some suggestions include:

• Keto garlic bread
• Cauliflower breadsticks
• Garlic parmesan chaffles
• Keto hot dog buns

Vegetable sides

Vegetable sides can add some extra nutrients and colour to your plate. Try these veggie sides:

• Grilled mixed veggies (asparagus, zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, broccoli)
• Roasted vegetables
• Sauteed mushrooms
• Sauteed broccoli
• Pan-fried zucchini

Frequently asked questions