Mustard Free Apple & Sage Beef Meatballs
These meatballs are the kind of cozy, unexpected weeknight win that earns a permanent spot in your rotation. Grated apple folded into the beef mixture brings a subtle natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with earthy sage, warm cinnamon, and a hint of ginger ā it's a flavor combination that feels almost autumnal and deeply satisfying. Squeezing the moisture out of the grated apple before mixing is a smart technique that keeps the texture tight and tender rather than dense or soggy. The pan sauce ā built from unsweetened apple cider, bone broth, and a touch of apple cider vinegar thickened with arrowroot ā pulls all those seared, caramelized bits off the bottom of the skillet and turns them into something genuinely glossy and delicious. For anyone navigating condiment and spice blend labels at the grocery store, this recipe sidesteps the whole issue entirely by building bold flavor from whole, straightforward ingredients with no hidden additives to worry about. Everything comes together in one skillet, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying a plate of beautifully glazed meatballs finished with a scatter of fresh sage.
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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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