What is the secret to firm meatballs?

Massage your meat Get your hands into your mixing bowl and combine the ingredients for your meatballs using your fingers. The heat from your hands will help release the proteins in the meat which will in turn help the mixture stick together when it cooks. Don't overmix, just a few minutes will do.

How to make meatballs that aren t tough?

Egg and breadcrumbs are common mix-ins to add moisture and tenderness . Another binder option that people swear by is a panade, which is fresh or dry breadcrumbs that have been soaked in milk. “The soaked breadcrumbs help keep the proteins in the meat from shrinking,” as food writer Tara Holland explained in the Kitchn.

What does adding milk to meatballs do?

Milk: Milk adds moisture, ensuring the meatballs don't dry out during the cooking process . Onion: An onion lends bold flavor. Meat: You'll need a pound of ground beef and a pound of ground pork. Egg: An egg adds moisture and helps bind the meatballs together.

How to stop meatballs from falling apart?

Use extra eggs as a binder. I doubled the egg binder to make sure the meat held together. ... Add melted butter to the meat if it's less than 80/20. Low fat meatballs fall apart in the cooking process. ... Chill the meatballs or freeze them. Cold meatballs hold together better. Jun 26, 2012

What not to do when making meatballs?

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Meatballs Not seasoning the meat. Not adding any moisture to the meat. Over-mixing the meat. Not shaping the meatballs correctly. Not forming evenly-sized meatballs. May 1, 2019

What to replace breadcrumbs with 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.

Do meatballs get more tender the longer they cook in sauce?

As the collagen in the meat dissolves over time, it transforms into gelatin, which not only adds a silky texture to the sauce but also contributes to the overall richness and depth of flavor. The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become.

How do you solidify meatballs?

Don't Skip Chilling. A stint in the fridge ensures the meatballs have a springy texture once they are cooked. The quick chill gives the gelatin time to stiffen, helps solidify the fat, and gives the myosin (a sticky, soluble protein in ground turkey) time to bind the meat together.

What makes meatballs hard?

When meatballs are packed together too tightly, they cook up tough, rubbery, and chewy. → Follow this tip: Being gentle is the name of the game when it comes to forming meatballs. Consider oiling your hands so the mixture won't stick to them, and then gently and quickly form the meat into evenly sized balls.

What makes meatballs more dense?

A small amount of breadcrumbs, no more than 1/4 cup of fine crumbs per pound of meat, hold in the juices. Adding, more bread crumbs makes for a heavy and dense meatball so keep the bread crumbs to a minimum. *I recommend ground meat that has at least 20% fat to create the right texture and taste.

What binds meatballs together?

Egg : A lot of meatball recipes add egg to the mince mixture because it helps to bind the balls together. Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs also help to bind your meatballs. If the mince mixture is quite wet, breadcrumbs will help soak up excess moisture so that the balls don't fall apart.

Vegan Lentil Meatballs Recipe - Daring Kitchen (2024)

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These hearty vegan meatballs are chock full of protein and flavor. Whether enjoyed alone or with your favorite pasta, they will definitely satisfy your Italian food cravings!

The Best Plant Based Meatballs

Meatballs are classic. But, doesn’t mean they cannot be vegan! I’ve always loved digging into a bowl of meatballs and spaghetti at my grandmother’s house. It was a dish that really warmed your soul.

Years later, I’ve definitely adopted a more plant based diet. But, doesn’t mean I have to give up meatballs. With a little curiosity and kitchen fun, I developed a vegan recipe with just as much flavor. The secret ingredients? Green lentils and a ton of fabulous spices. Lentils are delicious legumes. They give these meatballs great texture and a protein punch. I really adore the golden-brown crust these lentil meatballs develop when pan-fried. It lends such a nice texture to the final product.

My grandmother would always add grated cheese to her meatballs. Luckily, nutritional yeast is a simple and easy replacement. It has a naturally cheesy and nutty flavor similar to the aged cheese my grandmother would use. And, it’s 100 percent vegan!

What also shines in this recipe are the spices. These are secret weapons in the kitchen. The spice combination truly gives character to these meatballs. Smoked paprika, ginger, and garlic have the bold flavors meatballs needs. With a little dijon mustard, the lentil base transforms into something really tasty.

You don’t need to worry about these meatballs falling apart. Simple rolled oats do just the trick. This fiber-rich cereal has enough starch to bind everything together. And, a little goes a long way. All you need is 2 tablespoons of rolled oats. That’s it!

Vegan Lentil Meatballs Recipe - Daring Kitchen (1)

A Love of Lentils

Lentils are a fabulous addition to anyone’s diet. They are an exceptional source of protein and fiber, especially for those following a strict vegan diet. Just one cup of lentils has 18 grams of protein. That is pretty incredible for a totally plant based ingredient!

These mighty legumes are also plentiful in powerful polyphenols. These boost your immune system and keep you protected from disease. I can go on and on about the remarkable health benefits of lentils. But, what really matters is how good they taste!

For this recipe, you can use canned, freshly made, or even leftover green lentils. Whatever you choose, make sure you have two cups.

Vegan Lentil Meatballs Recipe - Daring Kitchen (2)

Ways to Serve your Lentil Meatballs

These lentil meatballs are great in many different ways. While you can simply eat them alone, there are few ways to serve them. Any of these ideas are great for a family meal or even a dinner party!

Spaghetti ‘zoodles’ and Meatballs

This spin on the classic pairs these lentil meatballs with delicious zucchini noodles. Paired with your favorite tomato sauce, this meal will put you in veggie heaven.

Meatballs with Vegan Pesto

A delicious and creamy pesto pairs easily with these meatballs. You can buy pesto at the store or make it fresh at home. Just don’t forget to top the dish off with your favorite vegan cheese.

Lentil meatballs in curry sauce

Meatballs are also part of nonItalian cuisine. Lentil meatballs are a perfect protein for a curry. Accompanied with your favorite veggies, you will have a nourishing meal with all the protein you need.

How to Make Vegan Lentil Meatballs

This recipe is hands-on and fun. The only kitchen appliances you will need are a large mixing bowl, plate, and skillet.

Vegan Lentil Meatballs Recipe - Daring Kitchen (3)

First, you will need to make your meatballs. With your mixing bowl, add all your ingredients together. Gently mash everything together, incorporating the seasonings into the lentils. You want to be left with a sticky mixture, just like any other meatball.

Now it's time to shape. Pull small pieces of the mixture and roll them between your hands to form a ball. You do not want the lentil meatballs too large - try to make them just a little larger than golf ball size.

Once all your meatballs are made, it’s time to cook them. Using a skillet (I prefer a cast-iron,) heat the coconut oil over medium heat. When the oil is glistening, add meatballs to the skillet, leaving them enough space to cook. Depending on the size of your skillet, you will definitely cook these in more than one batch.

When the lentil meatballs are golden brown, flip them. Since the lentils are already cooked, you are not concerned with fully cooking the meatballs. You more want to ensure an even and crispy outer layer.

Once your meatballs are all cooked, they are ready to be served! You can dig into them alone or with your favorite sauce. Whatever you choose, these lentil meatballs will definitely become a staple in your household.

Ingredients

▢ 2 cups Green Lentils cooked
▢ 2 tbsp Quick Cooking Oats
▢ 1 Yellow Onion finely diced
▢ 1 bunch Fresh Parsley finely chopped (save 1 tbsp chopped parsley for garnishing)
▢ 1 tsp Tomato Paste
▢ 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
▢ 1 tsp Ginger grated
▢ 1 tsp Salt
▢ 1 tsp Garlic Powder
▢ 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
▢ 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
▢ 2 tbsp Almond Milk
▢ 1 tbsp Coconut Oil for frying
▢ 1 tbsp Lemon Juice freshly squeezed

Instructions

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Add all the ingredients into a large bowl and use a fork to mash the lentils and mix everything together (you can also use a food processor, making sure to not over-process the ingredients – just pulse 3 or 4 times) to obtain a sticky and textured mixture.
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Use your hand to shape the mixture into small balls and line them on a plate.
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Heat the coconut oil into a non-stick skillet.
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Add the balls into the skillet one by one, without overcrowding it.
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Cook over medium heat flipping them with a wooden spoon, until crispy and golden.
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Transfer into a bowl and garnish with fresh parsley.
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Serve as they are or with your favorite pasta and sauce.

Nutrition