Mozzarella Stuffed BBQ Keto Meatballs Recipe
These Mozzarella Stuffed BBQ Keto Meatballs are so delicious and easy to make. Throw them in the slow cooker before you leave for work, and let them simmer all day in sugar-free bbq sauce for a fantastic tender meatball. This keto meatball recipe is the perfect meal or appetizer for parties and get-togethers.
A lot of recipes for keto meatballs online contain almond flour. Since my oldest daughter is allergic to nuts, I knew I had to develop a recipe that our whole family could enjoy. After experimenting with many different measurements and binders, I finally found the perfect bbq keto meatball recipe!
Ingredients:
- Ground beef — I used 80/20 ground beef in this recipe. I found that the fat content was enough to keep the BBQ meatballs moist and delicious.
- Grated parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese — This combination of cheese is perfect for this recipe. The mozzarella is melty and mild, while the parmesan is sharp and salty.
- Coconut flour — I use coconut flour in place of breadcrumbs so that this recipe is low carb!
- Sugar-free BBQ sauce — I used my homemade sugar-free BBQ Sauce for these keto meatballs, but you can also use store-bought sugar-free bbq sauce if you prefer.
- Eggs — The eggs also play a huge role in holding the meatballs together.
- Beef broth — This ingredient is optional but helps keep these keto BBQ meatballs nice and moist.
- Minced onion, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder — I found the flavors of these 3 spices to be the best for this keto meatballs recipe.
What Kind of Meat Can I Use?
Since this is a bbq meatball, I chose to use ground beef, but if you prefer, you can use ground pork, ground turkey, or a mixture of your favorite ground keto meat. Use whichever you prefer!
More Keto Beef Recipes:
- Keto Beef Short Ribs in the Slow Cooker
- BBQ Keto Meatloaf Recipe
- Keto Italian Meatball Casserole
- Keto Stuffed Pepper Soup
What Binder Do I Use To Replace Breadcrumbs?
Traditionally, breadcrumbs are used in meatball recipes; however, you must find an alternative following a keto/low carb diet. For this recipe, I use coconut flour. I have found it is the best option for my family since my daughter is allergic to nuts. In addition, if you are gluten-free, coconut flour is the perfect alternative to breadcrumbs. However, make sure to check the ingredients before using any ingredient! If you would rather use almond flour, the substitution is typically 1:4, meaning for every 1/4 cup coconut flour, use 1 cup almond flour. I haven’t personally tested this recipe with almond flour, so I’m not 100 certain if you would need that much. Since it is being used as a binder, using less than a cup would work.
Are Meatballs Keto?
No, unless you are following a keto recipe, meatballs are not traditionally keto. Meatballs often contain breadcrumbs and are cooked in a high-carb marinara or bbq sauce. This recipe, however, uses all low-carb ingredients that total to 4 net carbs, making them the best keto bbq meatballs! Step 1: Combine ground beef, cheeses, coconut flour, eggs, and spices into a large bowl and stir to combine. I use my Chop and Mix utensil to mix all the ingredients. Make sure not to overmix your meatballs, or they will be tough. Instead, stir until they are loosely combined.
Step 2: Place a cast-iron skillet on medium-high heat. Coat the bottom of the skillet in 1/4 inch of coconut oil when the oil is hot; scoop the meatballs with a cookie scoop rolling them into a ball before dropping them into the skillet. I use a cookie scoop to scoop out the meatballs so that they are uniformly sized. When they are all the same size, they cook more evenly.
Step 3: Once the meatballs have been pan-fried, place them in the bottom of a crockpot. If you prefer, you can choose to skip cooking the meatballs in a skillet first, but it locks in all the flavor and moisture of the meatball.
Step 4: Pour the homemade sugar-free bbq sauce on top of meatballs, along with the beef broth and black pepper—cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours. When the timer is up, you’re ready to serve and enjoy! If you will be gone all day and need your low-carb meatballs to stay in the slow cooker longer, add more beef broth to the mixture.
How Do You Store Keto BBQ Meatballs?
Once you have cooked your meatballs, allow them to come to room temperature, place them in a shallow air-tight container and place them in the fridge. Homemade keto meatballs will last in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Can You Freeze Keto Meatballs?
Yes! You can freeze them one of two ways. If you have already cooked your meatballs, allow them to cool, place them in a shallow freezer-friendly container. They will last up to three months in the freezer. If you are meal prepping and have not yet cooked your meatballs, scoop the meat mixture into rows on a cookie sheet and place it in the freezer until frozen. Once frozen, place them in a freezer-safe container. They will last up to three months.
How to Reheat Meatballs:
There are a couple of different ways to reheat keto meatballs. First, you can place the meatballs and their sauce in a microwave-safe container and microwave for 30-second intervals until they have reached your desired temperature. Second, you can place the meatballs in a skillet on medium heat and simmer until rewarmed. I prefer this method; it produces the most tender meatballs. Third, if you have not already cooked your meatballs and they have been frozen, place them in the refrigerator the night before so that they thaw. After they have thawed, follow the cooking instructions on the recipe card!
Can You Make BBQ Keto Meatballs without a Slow Cooker?
I have only ever made this recipe in the slow cooker; however, you could sear the meatballs in an oven-safe skillet and then add the rest of the ingredients and place them in the oven to bake. Since I have not tested this method, I do not know how they taste or how to cook them. As long as the internal meatball temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit, you will be good to go!
What can you serve with these BBQ Keto Meatballs?
I’ve gathered a few of my favorite side dishes to serve up with these BBQ meatballs. Here are my favorites:
More Keto Recipes:
- Keto Monterey Chicken Recipe
- Easy Keto Fried Chicken Recipe
- Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- 8 Tasty Low Carb Shrimp Recipes
BBQ Mozzarella Meatballs {Keto / Low Carb}
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 lb Ground Beef 80/20
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp minced onion
- 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cup homemade sugar-free BBQ Sauce
- 1/3 cup beef broth (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except the last three ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet on medium on the stove.
- Cover the bottom of the skillet with 1/4 inch coconut oil.
- When the oil gets hot, scoop meatballs with a cookie scoop then roll into balls before placing in the skillet to brown in hot oil.
- Once the meatballs are browned, place them in the bottom of a crockpot.
- Pour the homemade sugar-free bbq sauce on top of meatballs. If you prefer your meatballs to be a bit saucier, feel free to add a 1/3 cup of beef broth as well.
- Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours.
- Serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Hi. Could you cook the meatballs in the crockpot or over without doing in the skillet first? If so, how long would you suggest in the oven or crockpot? Thank you kindly! 🙂 Love all your recipes!! It helps so much!!
Hey Debbie. I have only tested as is. Sorry!
Can I use almond flour instead of coconut flour? Thanks!
You can but will need to use 4x more almond flour.
This was really good. Instead of using the skillet, I baked the meatballs (pork) in the oven until golden brown. The meatballs alone is a great recipe. I like the BBQ sauce. I added chilli peppers and smoked paprika for an added depth of flavour. Vinegar was apple cider vinegar.
Thank you!
Yum! That sounds so good. Thanks for sharing.