Paraben Free Apple & Sage Beef Meatballs
Warm, aromatic, and genuinely satisfying, these beef meatballs bring together fresh apple, sage, and a handful of earthy spices in a way that feels both comforting and a little unexpected. The grated Honeycrisp or Fuji apple adds a subtle natural sweetness that plays beautifully against the savory ground beef, while fresh sage and Ceylon cinnamon give every bite real depth. Cassava flour binds everything together without any synthetic additives or preservatives, which is exactly the kind of clean-ingredient approach that makes this recipe such a reliable choice for anyone navigating ingredient sensitivities. The pan sauce ā built from unsweetened apple cider, bone broth, and a touch of apple cider vinegar thickened with arrowroot ā is the kind of thing you'll want to spoon over everything. Searing the meatballs in coconut oil first locks in a gorgeous crust before they finish in that glossy, lightly sweet sauce. Every component here is straightforward and whole-food based, so you're not left squinting at a label wondering what's actually in your dinner. Serve them straight from the skillet with a scatter of fresh sage and watch them disappear fast.
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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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