Nutmeg Free Apple & Sage Beef Meatballs
Warm, savory, and just a little bit sweet, these beef meatballs bring together fresh apple, earthy sage, and a glossy pan sauce that feels genuinely special on a weeknight table. The grated apple gets squeezed dry before mixing, which is a smart step that keeps the texture tight and satisfying rather than soft or dense. Ground turmeric and Ceylon cinnamon add gentle warmth and depth without leaning into the kind of spice blend that typically sneaks in nutmeg ā every ingredient here is straightforward and intentional. Cassava flour binds everything together beautifully, making this a great option for anyone navigating grain-free or allergy-conscious cooking without sacrificing that classic meatball bite. The pan sauce is where things really shine: unsweetened apple cider and bone broth deglaze all those caramelized bits from the skillet, and a touch of arrowroot starch pulls it into a silky glaze that coats every meatball. It's the kind of recipe that looks and tastes like you put in serious effort, even though the process is surprisingly approachable from start to finish.
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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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