Low Sugar Apple & Sage Beef Meatballs

Total time45 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time25 min

4.7

(20)

These savory-sweet meatballs are the kind of weeknight dinner that feels far more special than the effort involved. Grated apple worked into the beef adds a subtle natural sweetness and keeps every bite incredibly tender, while fresh sage, Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric layer in warmth and depth that make the whole kitchen smell amazing. The trick of squeezing the grated apple dry before mixing is a small step that makes a real difference — no soggy centers, just firm, beautifully browned meatballs with a proper sear. Skipping added sugar in a recipe like this can be tricky when you want that glossy, slightly sweet pan sauce, but unsweetened apple cider and bone broth do all the heavy lifting here, thickened with arrowroot for a clean, restaurant-worthy finish. Every ingredient earns its place, and nothing on the list sneaks in sweeteners you didn't ask for. Whether you're serving these over roasted vegetables or just straight from the skillet, the apple-sage glaze makes them genuinely hard to stop eating.

About Fig

Fig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.

Learn more →

Ingredients

4 servings

For the meatballs

1 ½ lb ground beef (85% lean)
1 medium apple (such as honeycrisp or fuji), peeled and finely grated
3 tbsp cassava flour
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
½ tsp ground turmeric
½ tsp ceylon cinnamon
1 tsp fine sea salt

For searing

2 tbsp coconut oil

For the pan sauce

¾ cup apple cider (unsweetened)
¾ cup bone broth (homemade or aip-compliant brand)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp arrowroot starch

For serving

1 tbsp fresh sage leaves, thinly sliced (optional)

Instructions

1
Grate the apple on the fine side of a box grater, then squeeze the grated apple firmly in your hand or in a clean kitchen towel over the sink to remove as much liquid as possible — this keeps the meatballs from becoming dense and wet.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, squeezed grated apple, cassava flour, garlic, chopped sage, ginger, turmeric, Ceylon cinnamon, and salt. Mix with your hands until just combined and uniform — do not overwork the meat.

Want the full recipe?

Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!