These Whole30 Cocktail Meatballs with a BBQ Cranberry Glaze are an easy Whole30 appetizer that can double as a meal when served with cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash.
Need a last-minute Whole30 appetizer? No problem! Need one that's gluten-free, Low-Carb, Paleo, and/or Whole30 approved? I've got you covered!!!
These little meatballs are full of flavor, can be prepared in only 30 minutes with a few simple ingredients, and are a perfect appetizer for any shower or party.
They can also double as dinner! Simply serve them with some cauliflower rice, spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles, or a simple salad and dinner is covered 🙂
For the sweetener
Any keto sweetener will work. However, erythritol tends to crystallize and doesn’t dissolve as well as other sweeteners.
So if you use an erythritol-based sweetener, make sure it’s powdered.
For Paleo & Whole30, use 1/2 cup of orange juice with 1/2 cup of finely chopped dates.
The meatballs
For the meatballs, I used my Keto Meatball Recipe. To see all of my tips and tricks for perfect, juicy meatballs, please refer to the post.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the egg, crushed pork rinds, onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt, salt, pepper, and coconut milk.
For the coconut milk, I recommend Sprouts, Thai Kitchen, or Native Forest brands because other brands may lend an aftertaste. Don't store the coconut milk in the fridge, otherwise, it will separate.
If it does separate, though, simply heat it over low heat until combined.
If you're not dairy-free or Whole30, feel free to use heavy cream instead of coconut cream.
By adding all the ingredients except the beef first, this allows time for the pork rinds to soak up the milk and make the meatballs juicy!
Then, add the beef and mix by hand, being sure not to overmix!
Roll the mixture into small meatballs and place on a greased broiler pan. Be careful not to roll them too tightly or they'll be tough!
Bake at 400 degrees for 18 minutes, or until just cooked through. Then, turn the oven to broil and broil 2-3 minutes, or until the tops have some caramelization.
While they're cooking make the sauce...
The cocktail sauce
In a large dutch oven or stockpot, add 1 1/2 cups of BBQ sauce, cranberry sauce, salt, Worcestershire sauce (can be omitted for Whole30), and water to thin as needed.
Cranberry sauce: For homemade cranberry sauce, simply add 12 oz. of fresh or frozen cranberries, sweetener, orange essential oil or orange zest, and water to the pot along with the other ingredients.
For the BBQ sauce, my favorite is Noble Made Classic BBQ. However, Tessamae's and Primal Kitchen have good whole30 BBQ sauce as well and are a bit lower carb if that's what you're looking for.
Simmer the sauce for 15-20 minutes.
Then, blend with an immersion blender or transfer to a blender and blend until desired consistency.
Then, add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and serve!
Now that you've seen how easy they are, it's time to party! Go ahead and accept that last-minute invite or invite guests over and connect over these perfect whole30 appetizer meatballs.
Top tips
- For the coconut milk, I recommend Sprouts, Thai Kitchen, or Native Forest brands because other brands may lend an aftertaste. Don't store the coconut milk in the fridge, otherwise, it will separate. If it does separate, though, simply heat it over low heat until combined.
- If you're not dairy-free or Whole30, feel free to use heavy cream instead of coconut cream.
- To crush the pork rinds, I prefer to place them in a large, resealable baggie and crush with a rolling pin.
- By adding all the ingredients except the beef first, this allows time for the pork rinds to soak up the milk and make the meatballs juicy!
- For the BBQ sauce, my favorite is Noble Made Classic BBQ. However, Tessamae's and Primal Kitchen have good whole30 BBQ sauce as well and are a bit lower-carb if that's what you're looking for.
- Meatballs can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept covered in the fridge.
- Meatballs can be frozen for up to 3-6 months without sauce. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- To reheat for a party, consider adding them to a slow cooker (on low or high) with the sauce until heated through.
- For the sweetener, any keto sweetener will work. However, erythritol tends to crystallize and doesn’t dissolve as well as other sweeteners. So if you use an erythritol-based sweetener, make sure it’s powdered. For Paleo & Whole30, use 1/2 cup of orange juice with 1/2 cup of finely chopped dates.
Looking for more recipes?
I think you'll love these Sweet & Sour Meatballs & Homemade Whole30 No-Fail Mayo!
Or this Easy Spinach Dip from Gluten-Free Palate looks pretty amazing too!
If you’ve tried these Whole30 Appetizer Cocktail Meatballs or any other recipe on the blog please let me know in the comments below!
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📖 Recipe
Cocktail Whole30 Appetizer Meatballs {Low-Carb, Paleo, & Gluten Free}
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 Lb. Ground Beef or 1/2 ground beef and 1/2 ground pork
- 2 Tbsp Full-Fat Canned Coconut Milk or heavy cream (see notes below)
- 1 Large Egg
- 1/3 Cup Pork Rinds, very finely crushed or blanched almond flour
- 2 tsp. Onion Powder
- 1 1/2 tsp. Dried Parsley
- 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp. Celery Salt
- 1/4 tsp. Sea Salt
- 1/4 tsp. Ground Pepper
Cocktail Sauce:
- 14 oz Cranberry Sauce can use store-bought or the recipe below
- 1 1/2 Cup Sam Noble BBQ Sauce see notes below for other options
- 1 Tbsp. Worchestershire Sauce omit for Whole30
- 1 pinch Sea Salt
Homemade Low-Carb, Paleo, or Whole30 Cranberry Sauce:
- 12 oz Fresh Or Frozen Cranberries
- 1 Cup Keto Sweetener, see notes below OR FOR WHOLE30 USE 1/2 Cup Orange Juice and 1/2 Cup Finely Chopped Pitted Dates
- 3-4 Drops Orange Essential Oil, use therapeutic grade for consumption or 1 Tbsp. Orange Zest (can omit for Whole30 version since we used orange juice)
- 1/2 - 3/4 Cup Purified Water or as needed to thin
Instructions
Meatballs:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mix together the coconut milk, egg, pork rinds, and seasonings. Allow mixture to sit for a minute or two.
- Then, add the beef and mix by hand, being careful not to overmix!
- Roll into 1 1/2-inch sized meatballs and place on a greased broiler pan. Be careful not to roll the meatballs too tightly or they'll be tough. If you don't have a broiler pan, you can place a greased cooling rack over a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 1round18 minutes or until just cooked through. Then, turn the oven up to broil and broil 2-3 minutes, or until the tops are nicely browned. Set aside.
Cocktail Sauce:
- In a large pot, mix together all of the cocktail sauce ingredients. If making the homemade cranberry sauce, add those ingredients as well.
- Simmer 15-20 minutes. Blend with an immersion blender or transfer to a blender and blend until desired consistency. Taste and add additional sweetener or seasonings as needed.
- Add the meatballs to the sauce and stir to coat.
Notes
- Nutritional Info uses low carb options and a heaping amount of sauce per meatball
- For the coconut milk, I recommend Sprouts, Thai Kitchen, or Native Forest brands because other brands may lend an aftertaste. Don't store the coconut milk in the fridge, otherwise, it will separate. If it does separate, though, simply heat it over low heat until combined.
- If you're not dairy-free or Whole30, feel free to use heavy cream instead of coconut cream.
- To crush the pork rinds, I prefer to place them in a large, resealable baggie and crush with a rolling pin.
- By adding all the ingredients except the beef first, this allows time for the pork rinds to soak up the milk and make the meatballs juicy!
- For the BBQ sauce, my favorite is Noble Made Classic BBQ. However, Tessamae's and Primal Kitchen have good whole30 BBQ sauce as well and are a bit lower-carb if that's what you're looking for.
- Meatballs can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept covered in the fridge.
- Meatballs can be frozen for up to 3-6 months without sauce. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- To reheat for a party, consider adding them to a slow cooker (on low or high) with the sauce until heated through
- For the sweetener, any keto sweetener will work. However, erythritol tends to crystallize and doesn’t dissolve as well as other sweeteners. So if you use an erythritol-based sweetener, make sure it’s powdered. For Paleo & Whole30, use 1/2 cup of orange juice with 1/2 cup of finely chopped dates.
Nutritional information is approximate and may vary.
Looking for more information on the keto diet? Check out these resources:
Can I use King Arthur all purpose flour instead of the blanched almond flour?
I don't know without trying it. You probably could, but I would use a little less. All purpose flours seem to be more absorbent than almond flour, I'm just not sure how much less. If you give it shot let me know how it turns out!
-Cassidy
I think I'm going to need these for upcoming super bowl and/or Oscar parties. Look delish!
Thank you Kelly! I think I'm going to make these for the Super Bowl too 🙂
-Cassidy
can I use Namaste organic flour blend ,instead of almond flour. it contains sweet rice flour,brown rice flour,tapioca, arrowroot,starch,sorghum flour and xanthan gum.
I'd imagine you could, but I just can't say for sure without trying it. You might try using just a bit less though, because the flours in the blend are bit more absorbent that almond flour so I'm worried about them turning out too dry. If you try it come back and let me know how they turned out!!!
-Cassidy
Would you be able to tell me what chili sauce you used for this recipe? I only ask because there are some sauces that are more spicy, and others that are more sweet and I want to ensure I'm getting the right kind. Thanks!
Hi Mae! I used Heinz Chili Sauce. Hope that helps and enjoy the meatballs!!!
-Cassidy
These are much better than the typical grape jelly version! CHANGES: I boiled the meatballs in low salt chicken broth until they turned gray and floated for several minutes, then drained them and added them to the sauce. Boiling them makes for a moist, rounder, and not flat on the bottom or burned, meatball. Also, half the ground beef can be replaced with ground pork or turkey and the results are a very nicely textured meatball that still tastes beefy enough for the guys. BTW the crumbs are not necessary to "make" the recipe, but the crumbs do make for the meatballs lighter if you use only ground beef. Thanks!
Thanks Dad!!! I saw you eating them 🙂
Yes, I did sneak a few. They were really good!
dad