Get ready to transform your dinner routine with these absolutely irresistible Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs. This recipe is your answer to a quick, flavorful, and completely satisfying meal that aligns perfectly with a low-carb lifestyle. We’re talking tender, juicy meatballs baked to perfection and then drenched in a rich, savory garlic butter sauce. It’s a simple dish that delivers an incredible depth of flavor, making it a guaranteed hit with the whole family, whether they’re keto or not. Forget bland and boring diet food; this is comfort food at its finest.
This dish is designed for busy weeknights when you crave something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. In just about 30 minutes, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on the table. The magic is in the simplicity of the ingredients and the richness of the garlic butter sauce that brings everything together.
Why This Is The Best Keto Meatball Recipe
You’re going to love how easy and delicious this recipe is. Here’s why it will become your new go-to:
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of savory ground meat, Italian herbs, and a decadent garlic butter sauce creates a taste that is simply unforgettable.
- Perfectly Tender: We use a specific blend of ingredients, including almond flour and parmesan, to ensure these meatballs are moist and tender every time, without any traditional breadcrumbs.
- Quick and Easy: With minimal prep and a straightforward cooking process, this recipe is perfect for any skill level. It’s a one-pan wonder that makes cleanup a breeze.
- Versatile and Family-Friendly: These meatballs are a crowd-pleaser. Serve them as an appetizer, a main course over zucchini noodles, or with a side of steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Ingredients for Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple, accessible ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry.
For the Meatballs:
- Ground Beef: An 80/20 blend provides the perfect amount of fat for juicy, flavorful meatballs.
- Almond Flour: Our keto-friendly binder that keeps the meatballs moist and tender.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty, and savory depth of flavor.
- Egg: Acts as a binder to hold everything together.
- Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic is key for the best flavor.
- Italian Seasoning: A classic blend of herbs that complements the beef perfectly.
- Onion Powder: Adds a subtle, savory base note.
- Salt & Black Pepper: To taste.
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- Salted Butter: The rich, creamy base of our sauce.
- Minced Garlic: We use more fresh garlic here for a powerful flavor punch.
- Chicken Broth: Adds liquid and depth to the sauce, helping it coat the meatballs.
- Fresh Parsley: Provides a bright, fresh finish that cuts through the richness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making these Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs is incredibly simple. Just follow these steps for perfect results.
1. Prepare the Meatballs
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, almond flour, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
2. Shape and Bake
Next, roll the mixture into 1.5-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through. If you love meatballs, you might also enjoy these Greek Turkey Meatballs for a different flavor profile.
3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
While the meatballs are baking, you can prepare the sauce. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, bring the mixture to a simmer, and let it cook for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
4. Combine and Serve
Once the meatballs are cooked, carefully transfer them from the baking sheet into the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Gently toss them in the sauce until they are fully coated. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately. This dish is great on its own, but for a more substantial meal, consider pairing it with a light side like this Refreshing Cucumber Mozzarella Salad.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips to ensure your Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs turn out perfectly every single time:
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the meatball ingredients until they are just combined. Overworking the meat can result in tough, dense meatballs.
- Use Quality Ingredients: Since the ingredient list is short, using high-quality ground beef, fresh garlic, and real butter makes a huge difference in the final taste.
- Uniform Size: Try to make your meatballs a consistent size to ensure they cook evenly. A cookie scoop can be very helpful for this.
- Sauce Thickness: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can let it simmer for a few extra minutes to reduce down.
For a variation, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce for a little kick of heat. It pairs wonderfully with the rich butter and savory meatballs. For another comforting casserole idea, our Cheesy Hamburger Casserole is a must-try.
What to Serve with Your Meatballs
These versatile Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs can be served in many ways. For a low-carb meal, pair them with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or a side of steamed asparagus or broccoli. They are also fantastic with a fresh green salad. If you’re not strictly keto, they are delicious served over pasta or with a side of crusty bread to soak up that amazing garlic butter sauce.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
You can store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply place them in a skillet over low heat until warmed through, or microwave them for 1-2 minutes. You can also freeze the cooked meatballs for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze them before adding the sauce. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat in the garlic butter sauce on the stovetop.
Yes, you can cook the meatballs in an air fryer. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 380°F (193°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through. Then, prepare the sauce on the stovetop and toss the cooked meatballs in the sauce to coat.
Absolutely! While this recipe calls for 80/20 ground beef, you can easily substitute it with ground pork, ground turkey, or even a combination of meats. Keep in mind that leaner meats may result in a slightly less juicy meatball.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a skillet over low heat until heated through. You can also microwave them for 1-2 minutes.
To make keto meatballs without breadcrumbs, we use a low-carb binder like almond flour combined with grated Parmesan cheese. This mixture helps keep the meatballs moist, tender, and flavorful while ensuring they hold their shape perfectly.
These meatballs are very versatile. For a low-carb meal, serve them over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or with a side of steamed asparagus or broccoli. They also pair wonderfully with a simple green salad.
Yes, you can cook the meatballs in an air fryer. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 380°F (193°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through. Then, prepare the sauce on the stovetop and toss the cooked meatballs in the sauce to coat.
Absolutely! While this recipe calls for 80/20 ground beef, you can easily substitute it with ground pork, ground turkey, or even a combination of meats. Keep in mind that leaner meats may result in a slightly less juicy meatball.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a skillet over low heat until heated through. You can also microwave them for 1-2 minutes.
To make keto meatballs without breadcrumbs, we use a low-carb binder like almond flour combined with grated Parmesan cheese. This mixture helps keep the meatballs moist, tender, and flavorful while ensuring they hold their shape perfectly.
These meatballs are very versatile. For a low-carb meal, serve them over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or with a side of steamed asparagus or broccoli. They also pair wonderfully with a simple green salad.
Enjoy Your Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs!
We hope you love this Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs recipe as much as we do. It’s a testament to the fact that eating low-carb can be incredibly delicious and satisfying. Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Pinterest! Your support helps us create more delicious content for you.
Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs
Keto Garlic Butter Meatballs: The Ultimate Low-Carb Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, almond flour, Parmesan cheese, egg, 2 cloves of minced garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Roll the mixture into approximately 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
- While the meatballs bake, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining 4 cloves of minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the baked meatballs to the skillet and gently toss to coat them in the garlic butter sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
You can substitute ground turkey or pork for the ground beef.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
