
When I embarked on the GAPS diet years ago there weren’t that many resources available. Which meant I had to come up with most of my own recipes.
Although I came off the GAPS diet a long time ago, it taught me how to be really creative in the kitchen.
That is how I came up with this easy sweet and sour meatball recipe that has been both a family favorite and reader favorite for years!
Allergen-Free Meatballs
Most meatball recipes include egg. Sometimes they also have bread or breadcrumbs and some type of milk.
Those ingredients do make a delicious meatball. But when you are dealing with allergies, it’s hard to substitute.
So I created meatballs that are not only allergen-free, but can also be nightshade free!
Easy Gluten-Free Sweet and Sour Sauce
The real secret about these meatballs is not actually the meatball at all. Instead it’s the sauce!
A combination of broth and honey cook down to a rich and gooey sauce that kids love.
Depending on dietary needs I add ketchup, dijon mustard, and/or a bit of pumpkin to bring it all together.
Healthy Dinner in Less Than 30 Minutes
Taste aside, I love that I can make these meatballs in under 30 minutes. Simply brown, add the sauce ingredients, and simmer until thick.
My kids love sweet and sour meatballs served with buttered gluten-free noodles. Any time I ask my five-year-old what she wants for dinner I get the same answer – meatballs and noodles! Sweet and sour meatballs are also great with rice, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, or squash.
If you are in need of an easy, nourishing weeknight dinner that the kids will gobble up, this is it! They’ll get lots of broth without even knowing it. Plus grassfed beef for loads of protein and vitamins. A win all around!
Do you have a go-to easy button dinner? Give these allergen-free sweet and sour meatballs a try.
This post is linked to Fat Tuesday at Real Food Forager.

Easy Allergen-Free Sweet and Sour Meatballs
A quick and easy meatball recipe kids will love.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. grassfed ground beef, pastured ground chicken, or ground pork
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. turmeric
- 1 Tbsp. avocado oil, tallow, lard, or coconut oil
- 1-2 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1/4 cup ketchup optional
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Instructions
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Combine the meat, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and turmeric. Mix well.
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Form into meatballs.
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot add 1 Tbsp. fat.
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Brown the meatballs on all sides.
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Add the broth, ketchup, honey, and salt. Simmer until thick, about 10 minutes, stirring periodically to coat the meatballs.
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Add extra broth and continue to simmer for more sauce.
Recipe Notes
For a nightshade-free version, replace the ketchup with 1/4 cup dijon mustard or 1/4 cup pureed pumpkin.