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You are here: Home / Categories / Recipes / Low Carb Meatball Recipes / Carolina BBQ Meatballs (Low Carb & Gluten Free)

84 Low Carb Meatball Recipes

Carolina BBQ Meatballs (Low Carb & Gluten Free)

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This week, for our Meatball Mondays feature, we’re headed to South Carolina for some “cue”!

When I moved here to rural South Carolina from CT a few years ago, I wasn’t really a huge fan of the mustard based BBQ sauce that is popular around here.  Over time it really grew on me though, and now I outright crave it’s tangy sweetness!

carolina bbq meatballs (low carb & gluten free)

[pinterest text=”Carolina BBQ Meatballs (Low Carb and Gluten Free) – ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bbqballssmall-672×950.jpg”]

Our local Piggly Wiggly fires up their huge BBQ trailer every Saturday morning, and sells ribs that are generously slathered with their famous mustard sauce.  They sell out quick though, and the last time I tried to get some they had just sold the last rack – and it wasn’t even Noon yet!  The happy customer who snagged them?  My father in law Maurice, who waved the still steaming, foil-wrapped package in my face, cackling gleefully as he tore out of the parking lot.  Did he share?  Nope!  But I wasn’t even mad about it, because I probably wouldn’t have shared either – they are just that good!

bbqballsfeaturedsmall[pinterest text=”Carolina BBQ Meatballs (Low Carb and Gluten Free) – ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bbqballsfeaturedsmall.jpg”]

So (still dreaming of those delicious ribs I missed out on), when I was kicking around low carb recipe ideas for this week’s Meatball Monday’s post, this one was a no-brainer.  It’s not difficult to execute, and doesn’t require a lot of fancy ingredients, which is a plus.  I made them with ground pork since that’s traditional BBQ fare, but you could also use ground chicken or turkey with good results.  I seasoned the meatballs with the spices you would find in a classic South Carolina dry rub, and the sauce has all of the flavors (or my low carb interpretation of them) of the typical Carolina mustard-based BBQ sauce.

carolina bbq meatballs low carb and gluten free

[pinterest text=”Carolina BBQ Meatballs (Low Carb and Gluten Free) – ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bbqballs2small-652×950.jpg”]

I’m not sure they are quite as satisfying as gnawing on some sticky, messy ribs, but they are definitely a close second – and take a lot less time to make!

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Carolina BBQ Meatballs (Low Carb & Gluten Free)


  • Yield: 16 meatballs 1x
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Description

The perfect meatball for Summer, these have all the flavors of classic South Carolina BBQ.


Scale

Ingredients

For the meatballs

  • 1 lb. ground pork
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar substitute (honey for Paleo)
  • 1 tsp paprika (smoked if you have it)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp celery salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup almond flour
  • 1 Tbsp water

For the BBQ sauce

  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 2 tsp Frank’s Hot Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp dried onion flakes
  • 3 Tbsp granulated sugar substitute (honey for Paleo)
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp low sugar ketchup
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Start the sauce first so the flavors have time to develop while you are making the meatballs.

For the sauce

  1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan, stirring until smooth. Simmer on low heat for about 8 minutes.

For the meatballs

  1. Combine all of the meatball ingredients in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly. Form into 16 meatballs. In a large, nonstick saute pan, fry the meatballs over medium heat until golden on all sides and cooked through. About 3 – 4 minutes per side. Toss the meatballs gently in the sauce, then spread on a parchment lined baking sheet and broil (carefully!!) for 2 – 3 minutes.
  2. Serve with low carb cole slaw for the authentic BBQ experience!

Notes

Approximate nutrition info per meatball: 92 calories, 7g fat, 1g net carbs, 6g protein

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 meatballs

Did you make this recipe?

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Serve alongside your favorite low carb cole slaw, with a big pile of napkins, and you are good to go!  Sharing is optional.  ;)

carolina bbq meatballs low carb and gluten free[pinterest text=”Carolina BBQ Meatballs (Low Carb and Gluten Free) – ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bbqballs3small-700×454.jpg”]

Got any ideas for a low carb meatball makeover, or a dish you want to see re-interpreted as a low carb meatball?  Please do leave your suggestions in the comments, and I’ll add them to my growing list!

Here are some links to my most popular low carb meatball recipes so far:  The General Tso’s Meatball, Low Carb Meatball Parmigiana, and Buffalo Balls (no, not really)

Or, for more great recipes, download your copy of The Gluten Free Low Carber today!

 

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Categories: Low Carb Meatball Recipes Tags: appetizers, atkins, BBQ, keto, main dish, meatball mondays, meatballs, pork, sugar free

 

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susan Delram says

    September 14, 2019 at 1:04 pm

    Thank you so much for posting this recipe! I would suggest using Allulose sweetener instead of Erythritol. Allulose have no after taste.

    Reply
  2. Melanie says

    March 14, 2016 at 7:37 pm

    Love these! I made them a long time ago and thought they were pretty good but this time I used a tablespoon of erythritol and 2 tablespoons of splenda in the sauce. It was so much better than I remembered!

    Reply
  3. Ronni says

    January 7, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    I am so happy I came across this recipe. I love Carolina BBQ and have been craving it for the longest. I used your sauce recipe over some seasoned chicken thighs in the crockpot and now have some very delicious BBQ pulled chicken! Thank you! I love your recipes.

    Reply
  4. Tova Kaufman says

    February 8, 2015 at 4:55 pm

    Do you fry these dry?

    Reply
  5. David says

    January 10, 2015 at 7:23 pm

    Yummy, everyone in the family liked this one!

    Reply
  6. Jacque says

    July 31, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    These are absolutely AMAZING! I could eat the entire batch by myself.

    Reply
  7. Kelly says

    March 7, 2014 at 2:41 pm

    O.M.G.!!! These are amazing! My husband and I have been doing Keto for about 3 weeks and I just made these for lunch. So good! I ate half of them by myself. Definitely helped with the BBQ craving. Thank you so much for these great recipes!

    Reply
  8. Jamie says

    January 25, 2014 at 9:19 pm

    These were a hit! Husband: “You should make these ones more often.” Made it with your broccoli slaw recipe but with regular cabbage slaw mix. Thanks for all your yummy recipes :)

    Reply
    • Mellissa Sevigny says

      January 29, 2014 at 2:13 pm

      Oooh, so glad they passed the husband test! Of course, what’s not to like? I’ll be adding these to one of the weekly plans soon – thanks for reminding me about them! :)

      Reply
  9. Jean B. says

    November 10, 2013 at 3:27 pm

    How about sauerbraten meatballs–and without any sweetener, please.

    Reply
  10. anita says

    August 12, 2013 at 2:43 pm

    These are awesome! I’ve made a couple of times and there are never leftovers. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  11. Dancingtigga says

    June 17, 2013 at 6:33 pm

    These sound great – i love all things bbq. Is the yellow mustard – American mild mustard or English mustard.

    Reply
  12. Rachel says

    May 31, 2013 at 11:47 am

    I keep meaning to try all your delicious meatball recipes, but I always end up making the parmigiana meatballs, since we usually have all the required ingredients for those. But I really want to try these. Picky boyfriend loves bbq and loves all things mustard. Do you already have a low carb coleslaw recipe posted? Or any other recommended side dishes?

    Reply
    • Mellissa Sevigny says

      May 31, 2013 at 9:52 pm

      I have a cole slaw that I make all the time but I’ve never posted – I’ll have to get that up soon, it would be perfect with those meatballs!

      Reply
      • Rachel says

        June 7, 2013 at 3:55 pm

        Made these earlier this week and they were delicious! Love the sauce. Picky boyfriend liked them too. The only dislike was the dried onion flakes-we are not huge fans of the onion crunch. But i’m not sure if what i got was the right thing. All i could find in the spice aisle was “chopped onion pieces”

        Reply
  13. Karla Strauss says

    May 27, 2013 at 7:32 pm

    Just made these for supper tonight, they are awesome!

    Reply
    • Linda says

      March 10, 2017 at 6:40 pm

      Just made these tonight. They were so good. I have never had Caroilina BBQ before. Almost had an East Indian taste to it. Love it. Thank you

      Reply
  14. Clytemnestra's Sister says

    May 16, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    Have you ever tried south african food? They make a gently spiced curry/chutney meatballs called frikkadels.

    Reply
    • Mellissa Sevigny says

      May 17, 2013 at 9:33 am

      Never tried it but I’m going to check it out and see if I can make it low carb – sounds delicious, thanks for the suggestion!

      Reply
  15. Carolyn says

    May 13, 2013 at 5:18 pm

    I LOVE SC mustard BBQ sauce! I don’t have Frank’s Hot Sauce, but I have Cholula’s hot sauce, original and chipotle. Would that be similar? I think 2 tsp would send my kids screamin’ for the creek, though. Is Frank’s not so hot, or do these have quite a kick?

    Reply
    • Mellissa Sevigny says

      May 13, 2013 at 5:32 pm

      Frank’s isn’t quite as hot as Cholula’s so I would maybe start with half and keep tasting and adjusting until the heat is to your family’s preference. Enjoy!!! :)

      Reply
  16. Layla says

    May 10, 2013 at 12:04 am

    Loving Meatball Mondays! And gyro meatballs are definitely a great idea. Now, how about some type of meatball that would emulate a naked “dumpling” (or won ton) with a sesame ginger dipping sauce? Mmmm…

    Reply
  17. Kelly says

    May 8, 2013 at 5:18 pm

    Just made these for dinner tonight with ground beef and bacon instead of ground pork (cause that’s what I had). OUT OF THIS WORLD GOOD!

    Reply
    • Mellissa Sevigny says

      May 8, 2013 at 6:44 pm

      Ground beef and bacon??? Yes please!!!!! ;)

      Reply
  18. Eric says

    May 7, 2013 at 12:15 am

    I bet you could come up with a killer thai meatball (fishball?)

    Also, don’t mean to complain but I just printed out this meatball recipe, and it went to 2 pages. Any way to shrink the photo so that it could be only 1 page? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Mellissa Sevigny says

      May 7, 2013 at 8:58 am

      Thanks for letting me know Eric, I never tested it for printing – should fit on one page now! Also, love the thai fishball idea – going on the list! :)

      Reply
  19. Sweet T says

    May 6, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    How about a Mexican style meatball? They do have albondigas…but what if you did some in a chile verde sauce, or a red chile sauce?

    Reply
  20. Sweet T says

    May 6, 2013 at 8:52 pm

    can i just say…I FREAKING LOVE MEATBALL MONDAY!!!! ahem. i eat low carb/paleo, and I have a hard time eating leftover meat (like in my work lunches) but I NEVER have a problem with meatballs, and I do love me some Carolina BBQ. I will be trying these. I hope everyone has awesome ideas for meatballs so that Meatball Monday shall live on forever!!!

    Reply
    • Mellissa Sevigny says

      May 6, 2013 at 8:57 pm

      Hear, hear! Long live Meatball Monday!

      Reply
  21. Kathy H. says

    May 6, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    I wish you would do a take on a gyro meatball with some with an option of feta cheese center and a taziki dipping sauce….tried the General Tso’s last night…YUM! Many thanks…great ideas!

    Reply
    • Mellissa Sevigny says

      May 6, 2013 at 5:27 pm

      THAT’s what I’m talking about! Awesome idea – going on the list for SURE! Thanks!

      Reply
    • Erin says

      May 7, 2013 at 3:39 pm

      Oh yes! Yes to the gyro meatball. Great idea.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. A Beautiful Day for Southern BBQ… Meatballs! | The Sbeissy Life says:
    October 31, 2014 at 11:30 pm

    […] I made Mellissa’s low carb Avgolemeno soup, and today, I whipped up a batch of her succulent Carolina Barbecue Meatballs and served them over a bed of fresh, crunchy coleslaw. I followed her recipe exactly, and they were […]

    Reply
  2. 101 Healthy Low-Carb Recipes That Taste Incredible | collmy News says:
    August 24, 2014 at 11:25 am

    […] Ingredients: Pork, sugar substitute, paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin, celery salt, egg, almond flour, water, yellow mustard, Frank’s Hot Sauce, onion, apple cider vinegar, low sugar ketchup, salt and pepper. Instructions with more photos here. […]

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  3. Pork Shumai Meatballs (Low Carb and Gluten Free) - I Breathe... I'm Hungry... says:
    August 12, 2013 at 3:00 pm

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    July 31, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    […] miss these recent favorites, the General Tso’s Meatball, the Caprese Meatball, the Carolina BBQ Meatball, and the Green Chicken Enchilada Meatball, just to name a few!  Be sure to subscribe to IBIH so […]

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    July 31, 2013 at 12:01 pm

    […] Mondays, check out some of these other popular favorites – the General Tso’s Meatballs, Carolina BBQ Meatballs, Sundried Tomato and Feta Meatballs, and the Thai Red Curry Meatballs are just some of my faves.  […]

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  6. ground pork no carb recipes says:
    July 11, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    […] Carolina BBQ Meatballs (Low Carb & Gluten Free) – I Breathe… I'm … http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/… kicking around low carb recipe ideas for this week's Meatball Monday's post, this one was a no-brainer. It's not difficult to execute, and doesn't require a lot of fancy ingredients, which is a plus. I made them with ground pork … […]

    Reply
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    July 8, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    […] Can’t get enough low carb and gluten free meatball recipes?  Check out some of these other Meatball Monday favorites:  Low Carb Meatballs alla Parmigiana, Caprese Meatballs, General Tso’s Meatballs, Green Chicken Enchilada Meatballs, and Carolina BBQ Meatballs! […]

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  9. Thai Red Curry Meatballs - Low Carb and Gluten Free - I Breathe... I'm Hungry... says:
    June 18, 2013 at 9:17 am

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  10. 101 Healthy Low-Carb Recipes That Taste Incredible says:
    May 20, 2013 at 2:25 pm

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  11. Green Chicken Enchilada Meatballs (Low Carb & Gluten Free) - I Breathe... I'm Hungry... says:
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    […] week, in the Carolina BBQ Meatballs post, I put a call out for some ideas for meatball makeovers, or dishes you thought could be made […]

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My name is Mellissa Sevigny, and I use my culinary powers for good here at IBIH by creating delicious and satisfying low carb & keto recipes. If you’re looking to lose weight, feel amazing, AND eat some of the best food you’ve ever tasted – you’ve come to the right place. Welcome! Dig deeper →

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