Mushroom Free Bison and Apple Meatballs
Ground bison is a naturally lean, rich protein that pairs beautifully with warm spices and sweet apple in a way that feels both comforting and a little unexpected. Grating a Honeycrisp or Fuji apple directly into the meat mixture adds moisture and a subtle fruity sweetness, while cassava flour binds everything together without any grain or gluten in sight. The meatballs get a hard sear in coconut oil before finishing in the oven, which locks in flavor and gives them that golden crust you want before they ever hit the sauce. That pan sauce is where things really shine ā unsweetened apple cider, bone broth, apple cider vinegar, and fresh rosemary reduce down into something glossy and deeply savory, thickened with a quick arrowroot slurry. Every single ingredient here is straightforward and clean, so there's no need to scrutinize labels for hidden fungi-derived additives or broth blends that sneak in dried mushroom powder. The whole dish comes together in one oven-safe skillet, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying a plate of something genuinely special. Fresh parsley scattered on top at the end keeps it bright and pulls the whole thing together.
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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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