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Lunch & Dinner, Main Course, Recipes  /  October 4, 2024

Impossibly Delicious Vegan Meatballs

by Laurel Braun
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Making meatballs with my favourite meat alternative did not disappoint! Not only was it delicious, but they formed perfect meatballs, didn’t fall apart, and got nice and crispy on the outside while being juicy on the inside! You could fool any meat eater with these Impossible vegan meatballs.

Now this recipe has some fresh herbs and panko, but of course, there is always the option to use GF breadcrumbs (see notes, make your own!), dried herbs, and tomato paste instead of ketchup to fit all sorts of dietary differences. I’ve made meatballs many times with dried herbs, and the difference isn’t that noticeable! Fresh herbs definitely elevates this dish to something special, but don’t feel like you have to run to the store to buy fresh herbs every time you want to make these. Use what you have on hand.

You can likely make this recipe with any ground “raw” meat alternative, but I prefer Impossible because they don’t use pea protein, which does not work with my stomach. If you’re avoiding soy, you may prefer a different alternative.

I am in no way affiliated with Impossible Meat. I just really enjoy their products!

This recipe was adapted from Anna Boiardi’s book Delicious Memories, “Jack’s Turkey Meatballs.”

To Make Vegan Meatballs:

If you are using the oven, preheat now to 400°F.

In a medium bowl, add the impossible meat, panko, onion, parsley, basil, ketchup, nutritional yeast, garlic, and salt. Using your hands, massage the ingredients together until everything is fully combined.

Preheat a frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat with the olive oil. Do not allow it to smoke.

Meanwhile, form the mixture into evenly sized balls – about the size of golf balls. Roll them between the palms of your hands in a circular motion to form an even ball. As you roll them, add them one by one to the pan. Work quickly to ensure they cook somewhat evenly.

Once you add the last ball to the pan, it’s likely time to turn over the first meatballs.

Cook them until they’re browned on 3-4 sides before removing them to an air fryer or preheated oven.

Cook in the air fryer at 350°F for 8-10 minutes or the oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. Serve once they have sufficiently browned all over and are cooked through.

Although since they are not real meat, you are more than welcome to undercook them. Even when cooked through, they are very moist (sorry). Enjoy your impossible vegan meatballs!

vegan meatballs
Author: Laurel Braun

Impossibly Delicious Vegan Meatballs

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Making meatballs with my favourite meat alternative did not disappoint! Not only was it delicious, but they formed perfect meatballs, didn’t fall apart, and got nice and crispy on the outside while being juicy on the inside!
Adapted from Delicious Memories by Anna Boiardi
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 18 minutes mins
Total Time 28 minutes mins
Course: Lunch & Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4 (4 each)
Calories: 272 kcal
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 340 g impossible meat, or other ground “meat”
  • ½ cup panko*
  • 1 small onion, minced or grated
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley**, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil**, chopped
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¾ tsp fine sea salt
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, for frying

Method

  1. If you are using the oven, preheat now to 400°F.
  2. In a medium bowl, add the impossible meat, panko, onion, parsley, basil, ketchup, nutritional yeast, garlic, and salt. Using your hands, massage the ingredients together until everything is fully combined.
  3. Preheat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat with the olive oil. Do not allow it to smoke.
  4. Meanwhile, form the mixture into evenly sized balls – about the size of golf balls. Roll them between the palms of your hands in a circular motion to form an even ball. As you roll them, add them one by one to the pan. Work quickly to ensure they cook somewhat evenly.
  5. Once you add the last ball to the pan, it’s likely time to turn over the first meatballs. Cook them until they’re browned on 3-4 sides before removing them to an air fryer or preheated oven.
  6. Cook in the air fryer at 350°F for 8-10 minutes or the oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. Serve once they have sufficiently browned all over and are cooked through.

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcal

Notes

Gluten-Free*: Use homemade GF breadcrumbs. 1-2 slices of your favourite bread, toasted/dried and pulverized into small crumbs. I find store bought GF panko is too crunchy (in a bad, rock-eating way).
Dried Herbs**: Use 1/3 of requested fresh herb’s dried equivalent.
Stove Top Option: Add marinara or pasta sauce to frying pan, bring to a simmer than reduce the heat, cover, and cook gently for 20 minutes until cooked through.
Nutrition For 4 Meatballs: Calories 272 kcal | Carbohydrates 17.6 g | Protein 16.3 g | Fat 17.3 g | Sodium 792 mg | Potassium 550 mg | Fiber 2.8 g | Vitamin A 13.4 μg | Vitamin C 4 mg | Calcium: 140.6 mg | Iron: 3.6 mg
30 minutes or less, 60 minutes or less, air fryer, any season, dairy-free, egg free, freezer friendly, gluten-free, meat alternative recipes, oven, quick meals, stove top, vegan, vegetarian

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Laurel Braun

Laurel Braun

Hi there! My name is Laurel. I live and work in the Okanagan – a beautiful valley in the interior of British Columbia. When I moved here my passion for food only grew with the fresh local produce and focus on seasonal eating. Once I started gardening, my passion has transformed into this all consuming group of hobbies that include cooking, gardening, and preserving.

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