Packed with flavor and featuring various twists and adaptations, these meatballs are perfect for those following a keto or carnivore diet.
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Low Carb Meatballs
Whether you follow a low carb, keto, or carnivore diet, meatballs are a fantastic way to add flavor to your meals. These small, delicious balls are not only delicious, but they have zero carbs! Not to mention, they’re incredibly versatile and can be made with a variety of meats and seasonings to suit any preference.
Meatballs, in general, are a great source of protein and healthy fats. You eat them as a main course, as a side dish, cut up the leftovers and throw them in eggs – the options are endless!
Tools Needed
All you need to make these carnivore meatballs is
How to Make Carnivore Meatballs
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper. In a large bowl, add all the ingredients for the meatballs.
Combine really well. I like to use my hands and really get it mixed together. Roll approximately 1.5 inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 20-24 minutes or until fully cooked.
What is the Best Meat to Use For Meatballs?
I have experimented with a lot of different ground meat that I use in my low carb meatballs. And the same experiments are valid for carnivore meatballs as well.
At the end of the day, what I decided is that ground pork is the best. Fully ground pork meatballs, however, can sometimes be a bit much, even though I love ground pork!
Ground beef, ground turkey and ground chicken alone can sometimes be a bit dry.
My conclusion is that the best carnivore, low carb, and keto meatballs have a 2:1 ratio of ground pork to ground beef. You can even get away with 2:1 of ground beef to ground pork. They both work nicely.
What Are the Carbs in Meatballs?
There are zero carbs in these carnivore meatballs. In general, meatballs are not a high carb food, even “normal” meatballs. But those “normal” meatballs often contain gluten and other undesirable ingredients.
How to Store Low Carb Meatballs
I love making these carnivore meatballs as part of my meal prep. I make up a batch and then partition it into 4 baggies and then freeze them in my vacuum seal bags. Then I just pull them out when needed! My biggest tip is to let them cool first, however.
As for storing leftovers, simply put them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for a few days!
Carnivore Meatball Variations
Meat
We’ve already discussed my experimentation with meat. But here are some good meat options to use:
- pork
- beef
- chicken
- turkey
Spices
This is where you can get as creative as you want! The sky is the limit when it comes to spices. Make them spicy, mild, and everything in between. Meatballs are one of those dishes that is very forgiving with spices. So have fun!
Toppings
I like to top mine with chives as well as the occasional cheese sauce. I will even use a no sugar tomato sauce on rare occasions. These are the nights that I am going for keto vs carnivore.
Carnivore Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pound ground pork
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup crushed pork rinds
- ½ cup grated Parmesan Cheese optional
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder optional
- ½ teaspoon onion powder optional
- ½ teaspoon italian seasoning optional
- Salt and pepper to taste optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the meatballs. Combine really well. I like to use my hands and really get it mixed together.
- Roll approximately 1.5 inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-24 minutes or until fully cooked.
Nutrition
Trina Krug is a Holistic Nutritionist, Integrative Health Coach and host of the Carbless Conversations Podcast. With a Master’s Degree in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, her single mission in life is to facilitate self-healing in herself and those around her through awareness, lifestyle shifts and low-carb eating. As a current Doctor of Science student, she continues her studies in functional nutrition.