These mouthwatering keto bbq meatballs are an easy crowd-pleasing appetizer. And the addition of cranberry gives them a delicious sweet and tangy spin that everybody will love!
The secret ingredient in these keto bbq meatballs is the cranberries! They lend a sweet/tartness that takes these bbq meatballs to the next level.
These little meatballs are full of flavor, can be prepared in only 30 minutes with a few simple ingredients, are gluten-free, 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.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can! Simply replace the heavy cream with canned 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, simply heat it over low heat until combined.
To make this recipe paleo, simply use coconut milk instead of heavy cream, coconut palm sugar for the sweetener, and a paleo-compliant bbq sauce, such Noble Made Classic BBQ, Tessamae's, or Primal Kitchen.
For the sweetener
For the low-carb sweetener, I prefer to use a powdered monk fruit/allulose blend, xylitol, or pure allulose. They all dissolve beautifully and leave ZERO aftertastes.
If using pure allulose and not an allulose blend, keep in mind that it's only 70% as sweet as other sweeteners. So if you choose this option, you'll need to add an additional ⅓ cup per 1 cup of sweetener.
However, an erythritol-based sweetener will work, just make sure it’s powdered.
If you use powdered erythritol, you may need to use a bit extra.
💭Tip: 1 cup of granulated sweetener = 1 ¾ cup of powdered sweetener.
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.
Step #1: Mix together all of the meatball ingredients except the beef.
This includes the egg, crushed pork rinds, onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt, salt, pepper, and heavy cream.
Adding all the ingredients except the beef first allows time for the pork rinds to soak up the milk and make the meatballs juicy!
Step #2: Add the beef and mix by hand, being sure not to overmix!
Step #3: Roll into balls and bake. Set aside.
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 for 2-3 minutes, or until the tops have some caramelization.
While they're cooking make the sauce...
The bbq cranberry sauce
Step #4: Add all of the sauce ingredients to a large pot or dutch oven and simmer.
This includes Keto BBQ sauce, salt, Worcestershire sauce, fresh or frozen cranberries, low-carb sweetener, orange essential oil or orange zest, and water.
Simmer the sauce for 15-20 minutes.
Step #5: Blend with an immersion blender or transfer to a blender and blend until desired consistency.
Step #6: 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 appetizer meatballs.
Freezing and reheating
These low-carb BBQ meatballs can be frozen for up to 3 - 6 months WITHOUT the sauce because the sauce doesn't freeze well.
To freeze: 1) Place in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 2) Freeze until frozen. 3) Transfer to a freezer baggie and freeze for 3 to 6 months.
To reheat: Allow to thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat with the sauce in a slow cooker on low, in the oven at 350 degrees (approximately 20 to 25 minutes), or on the stovetop until heated through.
Top tips
- To crush the pork rinds, I prefer to crush them in a food processor to get very finely crushed, but you can place them in a large, resealable baggie and crush them 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 by far is Baby Rays No Sugar Added because it doesn't have that weird sugar-free aftertaste. But feel free to use any low-carb bbq sauce you prefer.
- Meatballs can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept covered in the fridge without the sauce.
Looking for more recipes?
I think you'll love these...
Or this Easy Spinach Dip from Gluten-Free Palate looks pretty amazing too!
Not a fan of cranberry? No problem! Check out these keto bbq meatballs from My Life Cook Book.
If you’ve tried these BBQ Keto Meatballs With Cranberry please let me know in the comments below!
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📖 Recipe
Keto BBQ Meatballs With Cranberry
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 Lb. Ground Beef - or ½ ground beef and ½ ground pork
- 2 tablespoon Heavy Cream - or well shaken canned coconut milk for dairy-free
- 1 Large Egg
- ⅓ Cup Pork Rinds, very finely crushed
- 2 tsp. Onion Powder
- 1 ½ tsp. Dried Parsley
- 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp. Celery Salt
- ¼ tsp. Sea Salt
- ¼ tsp. Ground Pepper
BBQ Cranberry Sauce:
- 1 ¼ Cup Sugar Free BBQ Sauce
- 1 Tsp. Worchestershire Sauce
- 1 pinch Sea Salt
- 4 oz Fresh Or Frozen Cranberries
- ½ to 1 Cup Xylitol Or Monk Fruit/Allulose Blend - to taste, see notes below for substitutions
- 2 Drops Orange Essential Oil, use therapeutic grade for consumption - or 1 Tbsp. Orange Zest
- ¼ to ½ 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 ½-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 18 - 20 minutes or until just cooked through. Then, turn the oven up to broil and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the tops are nicely browned. Set aside.
- In a large pot, mix together all of the bbq cranberry sauce ingredients. *Note- I like my sauce pretty sweet, you may prefer to start with ¼ cup of sweetener and go from there.
- 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. Serve hot.
Add Your Own Notes
Notes
- For the sweetener: I recommend powdered monk fruit/allulose blend, xylitol, or pure allulose. They all dissolve beautifully and leave ZERO aftertastes. However, an erythritol-based sweetener will work, just make sure it’s powdered. If you use powdered erythritol, you may need to use a little bit extra.
- If using pure allulose and not an allulose blend, keep in mind that it's only 70% as sweet as other sweeteners. So if you choose this option, you'll need to add an additional ⅓ cup per 1 cup of sweetener.
- To crush the pork rinds, I recommend crushing them in a food processor to get them very finely crushed, however, you can place them in a large, resealable baggie and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Meatballs can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept covered in the fridge without the sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
- To Freeze: Cooked meatballs can be frozen for up to 3 - 6 months WITHOUT sauce because the sauce doesn't freeze well. To freeze: 1) Place in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 2) Freeze until frozen. 3) Transfer to a freezer baggie and freeze for 3 to 6 months.
- To reheat meatballs: Allow to thaw in the fridge overnight if frozen. Then, reheat with the sauce in a slow cooker on low, in the oven at 350 degrees (approximately 20 to 25 minutes), or on the stovetop until heated through.
Nutrition
NET CARBS = Total Carbs - Fiber - Allulose - Xylitol
Nutritional information is approximate and may vary. Sugar alcohols, xylitol, and allulose are included in the total carbs and fiber.
Looking for more information on the keto diet? Check out my
Kelly says
I think I'm going to need these for upcoming super bowl and/or Oscar parties. Look delish!
Cassidy says
Thank you Kelly! I think I'm going to make these for the Super Bowl too 🙂
-Cassidy