Lactose Free Cassava Flour Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Sweet, tangy, and deeply savory all at once, these meatballs deliver that classic takeout-style flavor entirely from scratch — no dairy anywhere in sight. Ground beef gets seasoned with garlic, fresh ginger, and turmeric before being seared in coconut oil for a golden crust, then finished in the oven for a clean, juicy center. The sauce is where things really shine: pineapple juice and fresh pineapple chunks bring the brightness, apple cider vinegar adds the pucker, and a clever sweet potato purée gives the whole thing body and a subtle natural sweetness without any cream or butter. Coconut aminos stand in for soy sauce throughout, keeping the flavor bold and umami-rich while staying completely free of dairy-based additives. Arrowroot starch thickens the sauce to that glossy, clingy consistency you want coating every meatball. It's the kind of dish that feels indulgent and a little special, but every single ingredient is straightforward and easy to find. Finish with a scatter of sliced scallions and serve immediately — this one disappears fast.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 2 tbsp cassava flour
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
For the sauce
- 1 cup pineapple juice (unsweetened)
- ⅓ cup sweet potato purée
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp arrowroot starch
- 1 tbsp cold water
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (about 1-inch pieces)
For serving
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, cassava flour, 2 tbsp coconut aminos, garlic, 1 tsp grated ginger, salt, and turmeric. Mix with your hands until just combined — do not overwork the meat. Roll into balls about 1½ inches in diameter (roughly 20–22 meatballs) and arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
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