Paleo Sweet & Sour Meatballs recipe gluten-free dairy-free (2024)

By Laura

Posted Jan 05, 2017, Updated Oct 19, 2021

5 from 4 votes

25 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Paleo Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a delicious, kid-approved, quick & easy dinner recipe. Made with a few ingredients in 20 minutes.

Paleo Sweet & Sour Meatballs recipe gluten-free dairy-free (2)

These paleo sweet and sour meatballs are a healthy meal that’s delicious and easy. Served with a side of stir fry vegetables you have a healthy and balanced dinner the whole family loves.

Because if I’m being honest, I don’t always have the energy to spend hours in the kitchen, but I still want to feed my family nourishing meals that they actually like.

Asian recipes (like these lettuce wraps, cashew chicken stir fry, etc). almost always win in my house when I need a quick dinner! They’rehealthy, take less than 30 minutes to prepare, and taste amazing.These Paleo Sweet and Sour Meatballs are always a hit, and everyone in my family loves them! Plus they are gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar free!

Paleo Sweet & Sour Meatballs recipe gluten-free dairy-free (3)

How to Make Paleo Sweet and Sour Meatballs:

This recipe is easy to make in the oven or on the stovetop.

In the Oven

If you’d prefer to make baked meatballs, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a large baking sheet, set aside.

Then, place the meatballs on a greased baking sheet evenly spread out.

Next, bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes. Meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.

Paleo Sweet & Sour Meatballs recipe gluten-free dairy-free (4)

On the Stovetop

If you prefer to cook the paleo sweet and sour meatballs on the stovetop, being by heating 1-2 TBS olive oil in a nonstick fry pan over medium heat.

Then, add half of the meatballs and cover.

Cook, covered, on one side for 4-5 minutes or until they are golden-brown.

Remove lid and flip the meatballs. Cook for another 4-5 minutes until meatballs are golden brown and the internal temperature is 160 degrees F.

Paleo Sweet & Sour Meatballs recipe gluten-free dairy-free (5)

Serve

Serve these paleo sweet and sour meatballs with your favorite Asian dishes like stir fried vegetables, fried rice, or an asian quinoa salad, etc.

Store/freeze

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Recipe FAQs

How do you keep meatballs from falling apart?

The egg and coconut flour bind the meatballs together so they don’t fall apart.

Is it better to bake or fry meatballs?

Either method works really well, it’s completely a personal preference.

What can I use instead of milk in meatballs?

You can replace the dairy-free milk with some soy sauce, hoisin sauce, or even a pureed vegetable (like pumpkin or zucchini) for moisture.

Paleo Sweet & Sour Meatballs recipe gluten-free dairy-free (6)

Paleo Sweet and Sour Meatballs: Ingredients & Substitutions

Meatballs

  • Ground Turkey. Lean ground beef and ground chicken also work well in this recipe.
  • Milk.Any dairy-free, paleo-friendly milk works great in this recipe. Regular milk also works.
  • Onion/garlic powder. Real onion and minced garlic can be substituted for the powders. Just be aware it will add texture to the meatballs. I recommend cooking them together until soft and letting them cool before mixing them into the meatballs.
  • Coconut flour. It only takes a small amount of coconut flour to bind the meatballstogether beautifully!No need to usebreadcrumbs or other ingredientsthat usually make them off-limits for people with dietary restrictions. I don’t recommend substitutions.

Sauce

  • Coconut sugar. I usually use coconut sugar as the sweetener. Ihave also had success with honey andregular organic sugar (not paleo).
  • Vinegar.Both apple cider and distilled white vinegar can be used in this recipe.
  • Ketchup. To keep these healthy sweet and sour meatballs paleo, be sure to use a paleo-approved ketchup or this low carb ketchup! If paleo isn’t your thing, any ketchup will work (just please choose an organic variety whose main ingredient is not corn syrup)!
  • Coconut Aminos.If you do not need to keep this recipe paleo, you can substitute soy sauce for the coconut aminos.
Paleo Sweet & Sour Meatballs recipe gluten-free dairy-free (7)

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

Paleo Sweet & Sour Meatballs recipe gluten-free dairy-free (8)

Paleo Sweet & Sour Meatballs recipe gluten-free dairy-free (9)

SavePinPrint

Paleo Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Laura

Paleo Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a delicious, kid-approved, quick & easy dinner recipe. Made with a few ingredients in 20 minutes.

5 from 4 votes

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine asian

Servings 6 servings

Calories 236.1

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time25 minutes minutes

Total Time35 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Meatballs:

Sweet and Sour Sauce:

  • ¾ cup coconut sugar or honey or organic cane sugar (not paleo)
  • ½ cup distilled white or apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup ketchup {paleo approved}
  • 1 tsp garlic salt
  • 1 TBS coconut aminos (or soy sauce – not paleo)

Thickener:

Instructions

Making the meatballs:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet, set aside.

  • In a small bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (coconut flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper). Set aside.

  • In a large bowl mix together the meat, coconut aminos, milk and egg until well combined.

  • Add the dry ingredients to meat mixture. Stir until well combined.

  • Roll the mixture into 1-2” balls and place evenly spaced on your prepared baking sheet. (This step could be pretty messy and sticky, but don’t worry they will bake very nicely)!

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, until tops are slightly browned or internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F.

Making the sauce:

  • While meatballs are baking, in a small bowl whisk together the sauce ingredients: sugar, vinegar, ketchup, garlic salt and coconut aminos. Set aside.

Putting it together:

  • Transfer the baked meatballs into a pot or pan (I use a 4 quart saucepan) and pour sauce over them. Cook on medium heat until sauce begins to bubble, stirring every 3 minutes.

  • Mix 1 TBS tapioca flour into 1½ TBS cold water and add to sauce.

  • Continue to cook over medium heat until sauce thickens and the meatballs are evenly coated.

  • Serve warm with stir-fried veggies, spaghetti squash, or your favorite Asian sides!

Notes

This recipe feeds my family (2 adults, 3 kids) perfectly. If you have more mouths to feed I recommend doubling it!

Ingredient Substitutions

Meatballs
  • Ground Turkey. Lean ground beef and ground chicken also work well in this recipe.
  • Milk.Any dairy-free, paleo-friendly milk works great in this recipe. Regular milk also works.
  • Onion/garlic powder. Real onion and minced garlic can be substituted for the powders. Just be aware it will add texture to the meatballs. I recommend cooking them together until soft and letting them cool before mixing them into the meatballs.
  • Coconut flour. It only takes a small amount of coconut flour to bind the meatballstogether beautifully!No need to usebreadcrumbs or other ingredientsthat usually make them off-limits for people with dietary restrictions. I don’t recommend substitutions.
Sauce
  • Coconut sugar. I usually use coconut sugar as the sweetener. Ihave also had success with honey andregular organic sugar (not paleo).
  • Vinegar.Both apple cider and distilled white vinegar can be used in this recipe.
  • Ketchup. To keep these healthy sweet and sour meatballs paleo, be sure to use a paleo-approved ketchup or this low carb ketchup! If paleo isn’t your thing, any ketchup will work (just please choose an organic variety whose main ingredient is not corn syrup)!
  • Coconut Aminos.If you do not need to keep this recipe paleo, you can substitute soy sauce for the coconut aminos.

Nutrition

Serving: 4meatballs | Calories: 236.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 29.7g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 6.5g | Saturated Fat: 2.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 84.3mg | Sodium: 587mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 0.8g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Seriously this recipe is SO good! I am not a huge meat eater, but I could eat these all day long! Even my kids gobble them up! Serve with some stir-fried veggies, rice, egg noodles, or whatever your favorite Asian side dish may be! The possibilities are endless!

Here are a few more delicious ground turkey recipes:

  • This Thai Slow Cooker Ground turkey is a staple recipe in our house!
  • These Italian Healthy Turkey Meatballs are SO good served over pasta or zoodles!
  • Ground Turkey Italian Stuffed Peppers are a great meal-prep recipe or a main dish to feed a crowd!

The links in this post are affiliate links, thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine.

Paleo Sweet & Sour Meatballs recipe gluten-free dairy-free (2024)

FAQs

What can I use instead of breadcrumbs in meatballs gluten-free? ›

Rolled oats are the perfect gluten-free binding ingredient, replacing breadcrumbs in meatballs or meatloaf and many more recipes when you need to bind meat and eggs. Rolled oats are best not used as a coating agent as they tend to go soggy.

Can I substitute sour cream for milk in meatballs? ›

If you only have high-fat options, such as sour cream, heavy cream, and buttermilk, you can use one of these ingredients as an effective milk alternative. However, you may need to add a bit of water or broth to thin out the consistency of any thicker substitutes before making an effective panade.

Can you substitute almond flour for breadcrumbs in meatballs? ›

Almond flour (sometimes sold as almond meal) has a coarse texture and a nutty flavor, making it a great gluten-free substitute for bread crumbs. You can use it in meatball or meatloaf mixture, but we especially like using it to dredge meats like pork chops to create a crispy exterior.

What is a gluten-free substitute for panko crumbs? ›

11 Easy Gluten Free Panko Alternatives
  • Almond Flour: Almond flour can make the coating heavier instead of light. ...
  • Grated Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese can add a cheesy and crispy element.
  • Quinoa Flakes: Quinoa flakes are gluten free and can be used as a substitute for a yummy crunch.
Sep 20, 2023

What is a gluten-free substitute for panko bread crumbs? ›

Almond Meal or Almond Flour: Ground almonds, often referred to as almond meal or almond flour, can add a pleasant nutty flavor and a bit of crunch to your dishes. They work well as a coating for fried or baked foods. Coconut Flour: Coconut flour is another gluten-free option that can be used for breading.

What can I use if I don't have milk for meatballs? ›

If you only have high-fat options, such as sour cream, heavy cream, and buttermilk, you can use one of these ingredients as an effective milk alternative. However, you may need to add a bit of water or broth to thin out the consistency of any thicker substitutes before making an effective panade.

What is a good substitute for milk in meatballs? ›

2% milk, half and half or cream can be used in place of whole milk. I have also used pasta sauce (like tomato basil marinara sauce) for a dairy-free version with great results. Worcestershire Sauce. In a pinch you could substitute BBQ sauce, lemon juice or omit it all together.

What is non dairy substitute for sour cream? ›

Sour cream is a dairy product made from cream fermented with lactic acid bacteria. Alternatives may include plain yogurt or cottage cheese, and dairy-free alternatives can include soya cream or soaked, blended cashews.

Does Worcestershire sauce gluten-free? ›

The original Worcestershire sauce included barley malt vinegar, making it unsafe for someone with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. However, there are many different versions of Worcestershire sauce, including gluten-free versions.

Does soy sauce have gluten? ›

Is Soy Sauce Gluten-Free? Regular soy sauce is not gluten-free. Wheat is a primary ingredient in soy sauce, which surprises many people who are new to gluten-free diet. There are several gluten-free soy sauce options available that use rice instead of wheat.

Is Parmesan cheese is gluten-free? ›

Feta cheese is gluten-free. Goat cheese is gluten-free. Mozzarella cheese is gluten-free. Parmesan cheese is gluten-free.

Can you substitute almond milk for milk in meatballs? ›

Almond Milk – Some liquid is essential to keeping the meatballs from drying out. almond milk keeps it low carb, however, you can use cow's milk, or a milk of your choice. Eggs- Eggs are a binding agent here, it helps keep the meat, cheese and breadcrumbs/flour together.

Is panko gluten-free? ›

Yes. Providing Panko Breadcrumbs are made with gluten free bread and are processed and cooked in a gluten-clean environment, they are safe for people with Coeliac Disease (Celiac) and other gluten or wheat avoidant conditions.

What is a Whole30 substitute for panko? ›

Just replace the flour and panko with almond flour and these paleo bread crumbs for a paleo and Whole30 option!

What is a gluten-free substitute for breadcrumbs? ›

Substitution / Alternatives For Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs
  • Homemade almond flour or almond meal.
  • Corn flakes (not all corn flakes are gluten free, so be sure to check ingredients)
  • Gluten-free crackers.
  • Rolled oats (used certified gluten free)
  • Crushed nuts.
  • Gluten free pretzels.
  • Potato chips.
  • Rice or Corn Chex cereal.
Apr 22, 2020

What can I use to bind meatballs instead of breadcrumbs? ›

Breadcrumbs are the most common binder used in meatball recipes, but thankfully they are not your only option. Using oats works just as well! The secret is to pulse the oatmeal in your food processor or blender to make them fine like breadcrumbs. The broken-up oats will work just as well to make tender juicy meatballs.

What can I use if I don't have bread crumbs in meatballs? ›

Bread Crumb Substitutes

¼ cup panko. ¼ cup cracker or pretzel crumbs. ¼ cup crushed cornflakes or other unsweetened cereals. ⅔ cup regular rolled oats (Use this only as a substitute for bread crumbs in meat loaf and other meat mixtures, such as burgers.

What is a gluten-free substitute for breadcrumbs in meatloaf? ›

¼ cup Pork Panko , or crushed up pork rinds – if you don't have this or don't want to use it, just use another 1/4 cup almond flour in it's place.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Moshe Kshlerin

Last Updated:

Views: 6038

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Moshe Kshlerin

Birthday: 1994-01-25

Address: Suite 609 315 Lupita Unions, Ronnieburgh, MI 62697

Phone: +2424755286529

Job: District Education Designer

Hobby: Yoga, Gunsmithing, Singing, 3D printing, Nordic skating, Soapmaking, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Moshe Kshlerin, I am a gleaming, attractive, outstanding, pleasant, delightful, outstanding, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.