You know, since I started Meatball Mondays a few weeks ago, I’ve actually come to LOOK FORWARD to Mondays, which is crazy talk I know! It’s just that I’ve never met a meatball I didn’t like, and creating new low carb and gluten free meatball recipes for you guys to try out has become lots of fun. They are just so easy and versatile that there is no end to what you can do with them!
Last 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 into a low carb meatball. I got some great ideas from you all (keep them coming!), which I’ve added to my (really long) list of future posts. Because I have so many concepts on my list now, Meatball Mondays is here to stay – Hooray! :)
“Sweet T” brilliantly suggested a Mexican style meatball. I was so inspired that I become obsessed with making this Green Chicken Enchilada meatball, and bumped it up to post this week (ahead of Kung Pao meatballs – coming soon to a Meatball Monday near you!).
[pinterest text=”Green Chicken Enchilada Meatballs (low carb and gluten free) – ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/greenballs2small-675×950.jpg”]
Asking me to pick a favorite meatball is like asking a mother to pick her favorite child, but I have to say that this one ranks right up there near the top! It was a huge hit at our house, and even picky Hungry Jr. really liked them!
[pinterest text=”Green Chicken Enchilada Meatballs (low carb and gluten free) – ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/greenballs4small-700×496.jpg”]
Now this low carb meatball isn’t as pretty as some of the others, but what it lacks in glamour, it definitely makes up for in flavor! If this meatball were a celebrity, it would be…Meryl Streep – understated and never flashy, she always delivers an amazing performance!
[pinterest text=”Green Chicken Enchilada Meatballs (low carb and gluten free) – ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/greenballssmall-700×546.jpg”]
Notes: I’m out of my homemade salsa verde, so I purchased a store bought version that was roasted – it was awesome, and added another layer of flavor and authenticity. So if you can find a roasted tomatillo salsa (salsa verde), get it! The one I bought was the Walmart brand called World Table (not getting paid for this, just liked it a lot!) so if you can find that where you live, I highly recommend it! If you can’t find roasted, a regular salsa verde will also work – Herndez was my usual preferred brand. I don’t always tell you what brands I purchase, but in this case I think the salsa verde is a major contributor to the overall flavor, so it’s relevant here. That being said, these meatballs were delicious “naked” as well, so don’t worry over much if you can’t find either of these brands.
[pinterest text=”Green Chicken Enchilada Meatballs (low carb and gluten free) – ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/greenballs3small-700×466.jpg”]
Also, you can use turkey or chicken in this meatball – the flavor difference is so slight that I usually go with whatever is cheapest at the time. If I’m using turkey, I usually go with the regular ground (85% fat/15% lean) – but if your low carb plan is also low fat/low calorie (Dukan for instance), you can use the extra lean turkey (93% fat/7% lean), though the end result will be less velvety.
Green Chicken Enchilada Meatballs (Low Carb & Gluten Free)
- Yield: 16 meatballs 1x
Description
A low carb and gluten free Mexican-inspired meatball. Ole!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground chicken or turkey
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
- 2 Tbsp green onions, chopped
- 1 Tbsp ground cumin
- 1 Tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup queso fresco, crumbled
- oil for frying
To Serve
- 1/2 cup salsa verde
- 1/4 cup queso fresco, crumbled
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly. Form into 16 meatballs. Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a large, nonstick saute pan. Add the meatballs and cook thoroughly – about 3 – 4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
To serve
- Spread a few tablespoons of salsa verde on the bottom of a large serving dish. Place the meatballs on top, then spoon the remaining salsa over each meatball. Top with crumbled queso cheese. Serve immediately – or place under the broiler for 2 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden brown.
Notes
Approximate nutrition information:
Per meatball: 85 calories, 7g fat, .85g net carbs, 8g protein
Per serving (4): 341 calories, 28g fat, 3.4g net carbs, 32g protein
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
[pinterest text=”Green Chicken Enchilada Meatballs (low carb and gluten free) – ibreatheimhungry.com” layout=”horizontal” image=”https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/greenballs5small-672×950.jpg”]
Can’t get enough low carb meatballs? Try the General Tso’s Meatball, Low Carb Meatballs alla Parmigiana, or the always popular Buffalo Balls!
For more great recipes, download your copy of The Gluten Free Low Carber today!
Natalie says
Delicious! My keto and non-keto family members all enjoyed!
★★★★★
Mellissa Sevigny says
So happy to hear it!!!
Elizabeth Ramsey says
Tasted ok but I think it would had been better if it were beef
★★★
Rebecca says
Yum! We really enjoyed this recipe and can’t wait to try some of your other meatballs!
Meg says
My family loves this recipe! Have you ever used one of your meatball recipes to make a meatloaf? I’m always looking for ways to simplify, and cooking up a loaf rather than frying individual balls would be helpful. I’m curious if you think this recipe would work well in that regard. Thanks!
★★★★★
Tati says
I tried that with one of the recipes. It was great.
Nicole says
These were fantastic! My whole family devoured them (and I have very picky eaters). Thank you for creating such a yummy, easy dish!
Trish says
All your meatball recipes look so delicious however we have a tree nut allergy in our house, what would you recommend for a substitution of the almond flour?
Mellissa Sevigny says
Hi Trish! You could use ground pork rinds in place of the almond flour in all of the recipes – or if gluten isn’t an issue you could use panko or regular unseasoned bread crumbs as well!
Bri says
This was an awesome substitute. I used the same measurement as you would for the breadcrumbs. These are so flavorful you don’t taste anything off.
★★★★★
Aubrie says
I haven’t tried, but could you also use sunflower seed flour? That may be hard to find however.
Sashanna Caldwell says
This is a WAY late response but using extra eggs and no almond flour is an option, especially if it is a recipe where you can add grated Parmesan cheese. The cheese absorbs moisture like the almond flour and the eggs act as an additional binder. Also make them as tender as can be!
Aubrie says
Does any of the salsa verde get incorporated into the turkey mix before baking?
Mellissa Sevigny says
No Aubrie, it’s just served on the top!
Ashea says
Were you able to find out if the World Table salsa verde is truly gluten free?
Mellissa Sevigny says
I never did look at that Ashea but I would be shocked if it wasn’t. There would be no reason to put a wheat product in salsa that I can think of.
Mellissa Sevigny says
Just bought some and double checked it – definitely gluten free!
Amanda says
Delicious! we loved them we browned first in the frying pan and backed to finish. Thanks
Tony says
Have you baked your meatballs before? Was looking at another way of cutting fat out? Will give this a try.
Mellissa Sevigny says
Yes, I have baked them before, and they come out fine – you just don’t get the crunchy crust and brown color that you get from frying them. Enjoy!
J. Emmons says
We cooked them on the BBQ. That would be a way to cut the fat.
Sweet T says
OMG I feel famous!!! LOL I find it incredibly awesome that you actually used my idea, and these sound delicous!!! :-D
We LOVED the Carolina BBQ meatballs BTW – I ended up doubling the recipe and was really glad I did!
Keep these ideas coming everyone!!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame my friend! Ha ha! Thanks for the idea, and please do let me know if you think of any others. Glad you liked the BBQ meatballs, they are a favorite over at our house too now! :)