Hazelnut Free Apple & Sage Beef Meatballs
These savory-sweet meatballs are the kind of weeknight dinner that feels far more special than the effort involved. Grated apple folded into the beef mixture adds a subtle natural sweetness and keeps every bite incredibly tender, while fresh sage, ginger, turmeric, and Ceylon cinnamon build a warm, aromatic depth that's genuinely hard to stop eating. The technique of squeezing out the apple's excess moisture before mixing is a small step that makes a big difference ā you get a perfectly cohesive meatball that sears up beautifully rather than steaming in the pan. A glossy pan sauce made from unsweetened apple cider and bone broth ties everything together, thickened with arrowroot for a clean, silky finish. For anyone navigating tree nut allergies, this recipe is naturally free of hazelnuts and any nut-based ingredients, with cassava flour stepping in as a binder so there's no need to reach for anything that might carry cross-contamination risk. Every component here is straightforward and easy to source, which means you can focus on the cooking rather than scrutinizing labels. Serve them straight from the skillet with a scatter of fresh sage and watch them disappear.
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Learn more āIngredients
4 servings
For the meatballs
- 1 Ā½ 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
- Ā½ tsp ground turmeric
- Ā½ tsp ceylon cinnamon
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
For searing
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
For the pan sauce
- Ā¾ cup apple cider (unsweetened)
- Ā¾ 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 ā 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 ā do not overwork the meat.
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