Capsaicin Free Bison and Apple Meatballs
Ground bison brings a rich, slightly earthy depth to these meatballs that pairs beautifully with the subtle sweetness of grated apple — it's a combination that sounds unexpected but tastes completely natural together. The warm spices here — ginger, turmeric, and Ceylon cinnamon — add complexity and gentle warmth without any heat, making this a genuinely satisfying option for anyone who needs to avoid capsaicin entirely. So many meatball recipes sneak in black pepper, red pepper flakes, or spice blends that can be hard to vet, but every ingredient in this one is straightforward and easy to verify. Squeezing the moisture out of the grated apple before mixing is a small step that makes a real difference, keeping the texture tender and cohesive rather than dense. The pan sauce is where things get truly special — apple cider and bone broth deglaze all those caramelized bits from the skillet, and a quick arrowroot slurry pulls it into a glossy, restaurant-worthy finish. It's the kind of weeknight dinner that looks and tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did.
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Learn more →Ingredients
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
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
For the pan sauce
- 1 cup apple cider (unsweetened, no additives)
- ½ 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 400°F (205°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 — 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 — do not overwork the mixture.
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