Barley Free Bison and Apple Meatballs
Ground bison brings a rich, slightly sweet depth that pairs beautifully with freshly grated apple, warm spices like ginger and Ceylon cinnamon, and a glossy pan sauce built from apple cider and bone broth. The combination sounds unexpected, but the result is genuinely craveable ā savory, a little fruity, and fragrant in a way that makes the kitchen smell incredible. Cassava flour stands in as the binder here, keeping everything grain-free and completely free of any barley-derived thickeners or fillers that can sneak into conventional meatball recipes. Squeezing the moisture out of the grated apple before mixing is a small but crucial step that keeps the texture tight and satisfying rather than soft and dense. A quick sear in coconut oil builds a caramelized crust, and finishing in the oven locks in juiciness without any guesswork. The arrowroot-thickened pan sauce clings to each meatball with a light, glossy coat that makes every bite feel restaurant-worthy. Whether you're serving these over roasted vegetables or straight from the skillet, they disappear fast.
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Learn more āIngredients
4 servings
For the meatballs
- 1 lb ground bison
- 1 medium apple (such as honeycrisp or fuji), peeled and grated
- 2 tbsp cassava flour
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- Ā½ tsp ground ginger
- Ā¼ tsp ground turmeric
- Ā¼ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
For the pan sauce
- 1 cup apple cider (unsweetened, no additives)
- Ā½ cup bone broth (homemade or aip-compliant brand)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 tsp arrowroot starch
- 1 tbsp cold water
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400Ā°F (205Ā°C). Grate the apple on the large holes of a box grater, then squeeze the grated apple firmly in your hands 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 bison, squeezed grated apple, cassava flour, garlic, parsley, thyme, ginger, turmeric, Ceylon cinnamon, and salt. Mix with your hands until just combined and uniform ā do not overwork the mixture.
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