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AIP Honey Garlic Meatballs

AIP Honey Garlic Meatballs
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These tender, herb-infused beef meatballs are coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, this AIP-friendly dish is comforting, flavorful, and easy to make!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 TBSP fresh basil, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • ½ small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 stalk celery, finely diced
  • 1.5 tsp sea salt

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

  • 2 TBSP olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup coconut aminos
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 TBSP tapioca starch + 2 TBSP water (slurry)

Instructions

Make the Meatballs:

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, basil, thyme, garlic, onion, celery, and sea salt. Mix gently to avoid overworking the meat.
  3. Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and arrange them on the baking sheet. Bake for 11 minutes until firm but juicy.

Prepare the Sauce:

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Stir in honey, coconut aminos, balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a gentle boil while stirring.
  3. Whisk together tapioca starch and water to make a slurry. Gradually add it to the skillet while whisking until the sauce thickens. Reduce heat to low and simmer for another minute.

Combine and Serve:

  1. Add baked meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Stir gently over medium heat until fully coated and caramelized (about 2–3 minutes).

Notes

Serving Suggestions: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for an AIP-friendly meal. Pair with roasted broccoli or sautéed greens for balance.

Tips & Tricks: Use an ice cream scoop for evenly sized meatballs. Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender.

Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or sauce over medium heat until warmed through. Meatballs can also be frozen (cooked or uncooked) for up to 3 months—thaw overnight before reheating or cooking.

Find it online: https://easyrecipeacademy.com/aip-honey-garlic-meatballs/