Soy Free Bison and Apple Meatballs
Ground bison is a naturally lean, rich protein that brings serious depth to these warmly spiced meatballs, and the grated apple folded right into the mix adds a subtle sweetness that makes every bite feel a little unexpected. Squeezing the moisture out of the apple before mixing is a small step that makes a big difference ā it keeps the texture tight and satisfying rather than soft and dense. Cassava flour binds everything together without any grain or legume-based fillers, so there's no soy hiding in the mix the way it can sneak into store-bought meatballs or pre-made blends. The pan sauce is where things really come together: unsweetened apple cider, bone broth, and a splash of apple cider vinegar reduce into something glossy and aromatic, finished with a quick arrowroot slurry for that restaurant-worthy consistency. Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric give the whole dish a warmth that feels cozy without being heavy, and the fresh rosemary in the sauce ties it all back to something savory and grounded. These are the kind of meatballs that work just as well over roasted vegetables as they do straight from the skillet with a fork.
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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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