PaleoPaleo Meatballs with a sweet Sriracha sauce! These sweet and spicy Paleo meatballs are easy to make in under 45 minutes. Simple ingredients, super tasty, and protein packed! Great as an appetizer, meal, or meal prep addition. Freezer friendly ya’ll!
Oh hey there again. Another recipe that’s paleo, spicy, and ready in 30 minutes. I so did not plan this. But I think the Paleo God’s are liking me this week so I’m gonna go with it. Also, I decided that these Sriracha paleo meatballs deserve some extra credit, so I gushed about them in this post. I mean nutrition wise. Ya, you’re gonna feel accomplished, hungry, healthy, and educated by the end of this post. Haha… keep reading.
If you are like many, we’re kinda on week two of “HEALTHY intentions.” Right? I forgot what mine was already. Um, maybe it was to meal prep more. Maybe it was to try new ways to cook with vegetables. Oh wait, I did that already. Ahem, like thai carrot cauliflower rice salad. But maybe your new years intentions (like mine) are to finally feel rested and nourished. Inside and out. Well, I say we hold each other’s hand make the most of the meal prep, the feeling nourished, and rested. What’d ya say?
The good news is that I have a plan. Um, we can do all three with these Sriracha Paleo Meatballs. WOOHOO! No really. They will solve all your problems and get you ahead on your healthy intentions. Would you like to hear my reasoning now? Sure you do. You always do.
Oh Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Paleo Meatballs, I love you! Let me count the ways.
- Rest assure. Yes. You can feel more rested making these paleo meatballs because they LITERALLY take less than 30 minutes to make and with simple ingredients. In fact, made 2 batches (one chicken one beef) in one go. Froze half. Ahhh PEACE OF MIND knowing that i have extra for dinners, lunches, or even a crowd pleasing appetizer ya’ll. Meal prep = PEACE throughout the week. No stress! I’m learning that. Better late that never, right?
- Healthy and Nourished. Gluten Free, real food, grain free, paleo, dairy free, and guess what? But what’s EVEN MORE IMPORTANT is that they are loaded with Vitamin C, lycopene, and Iron. Not to mention protein. You knew that know.
NERDY NUTRITION FACTS. Don’t run away. You need to hear this. I need to hear it (again). Capeesh? These three nutrients (Iron, Vitamin C, Lycopene) all work together. SYNERGY in the paleo meatball recipe. Yup.
How?
- The Heme Iron roll is basically providing life-giving oxygen to organ systems via red blood cell production. So good for the muscles and fighting fatigue. POWER PALEO MEATBALLS ya’ll.
- The Vitamin C in the tomato and the crushed pineapple boost immunity and of course, we all need that during flu season. Ugh, I just got over the flu. Pass me more sweet and spicy meatballs. I need it to keep healthy in the mountains.
- The Lycopene in the sweet and spicy tomato sauce can actually help fight oxidative stress, toxins, and is super duper good for the bones. It’s one powerful antioxidant.
So you see, these aren’t your mama’s meatballs. Nor are they Helga’s Swedish meatballs. I mean, NOTHING AT ALL against your mama or Helga. I’m just saying that sometimes we need to revamp a classic comfort meatball recipe to get that extra nourishment. Yes, the more “healthified” meat balls recipes, the better. Add this Sesame Ginger Paleo Turkey Meatball recipe from Bless Her Heart Ya’ll next!
Extra nourishment plus easy cooking plus oh so tasty = TOTAL PEACE OF MIND. Am I right? Just nod the head and say HECK YA!
Okay Let’s get this show on the road. Recipe wise.
Mix, Ball, Bake…..
Make your sauce. Then combine all in skillet for 10 minutes. That’s it!
Time to eat the paleo meatballs!
Print
Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Paleo Meatballs
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
Super Easy Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Paleo Meatballs {freezer friendly}
Ingredients
For the Paleo Meatballs:
- 1 lbs ground lean (90-95%) chicken (turkey, beef, or pork may be substituted)
- 2 tbsp or more Sriracha or paleo sriracha (See note for whole 30 option)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- dash of black pepper
- 2 tbsp tapioca or potato starch (arrowroot starch works too)
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 whisked egg
- Garnishes – cilantro, chili pepper.
For the sweet and spicy Sriracha Sauce:
- 1/4 cup diced onion or shallot
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes (drained excess water if used canned)
- 1/2 cup natural ketchup
- 3–4 tbsp Sriracha (more the spicer)
- crushed pineapple (about 1/2 cup drained to mix into the sauce)
- 1.5 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes (to make spicier add more)
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- salt/pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450F.
- Place all your meatballs ingredients (whisked egg last) in a large bowl. Using a hands or a mixer, mix all ingredients until combined. I find a stand mixer works best.
- Next Roll meat batter into balls (a little larger size than a golf ball)
- Place on greased baking sheet.
- Bake at 450F for 12-14 minutes or until they are firm and slightly cooked/browned.
- While the meatballs are baking, blend up your your sweet and spicy Sriracha sauce.
- Blend together all ingredients listed in the sauce. Best to use a hand held blender, food processor, or blender,. Then pour the sweet and spicy sauce in medium pan.
- Bring to a soft boil then reduce.
- Place your baked meatballs in sauce. Add 1/2 cup crushed pineapple (drained if canned).
- Simmer for 10 -15 minutes coating all the meatballs evenly.
- Once cooked, remove and Garnish with extra cilantro, chili pepper flakes, and optional sprinkle of coconut sugar to top.
- If not serving right away, keep in sealed container in fridge or freeze for later.
Notes
HOW TO ADJUST FOR whole 30 option- Replace ketchup with unsweetened tomato sauce and omit honey. Feel free to use an unsweetened chili paste instead of sriracha. Or nom nom paleo has a whole 30 sriracha sauce.
- Category: appetizer/main
- Method: stove
- Cuisine: asian american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 Meatballs with sauce
Keywords: meatballs, paleo meatballs, sweet and sour, sriracha, asian, paleo, meat, chicken, beef, appetizer, healthy
So you see, there’s sweet spicy protein packed into each bite!
Pretty sure meatballs will always be a favorite in our household. But I’m certain these sweet and spicy Sriracha paleo meatballs just made it’s way up to grade A++. All because of that extra nutrition credit. Okay and the fact that my husband is obsessed with Sriracha.
Plus, you can serve them in a variety of ways! Appetizer, Football watching grub, dinner, gluten free sub sandwich or wrap.
I think I’m going to surprise the Kiwi (he arrives in Utah today) and make these with zoodles or pasta. That way I can pull the Lady and the Tramp Card with him at dinner. Please tell me you get that joke…wink wink.
p.s Thank you for being SO SO supportive of our move. Moving in the middle of winter during a snowstorm has been crazy. As Mentioned above, the kiwi comes tomorrow with all our stuff and dog. It’s going to take at least a week to get everything settled due to weather. If I post sparingly, you know why. Just go pour some wine, make some paleo meatballs, and think of me. Mmm k?
Cheers!
What’s your favorite meatball recipe? Hey Vegetarians, I want yours too! Meatless versions are always appreciated.
I made a turkey version of these paleo meatballs (minus the Sriracha) over on the KitchenAid blog as well!
Yes, they are still ridiculously good with extra pineapple and lean protein. And yes, on the day I shot this recipe, we had ooodles of gluten free meatballs. We did not complain.
Hi, I’m Lindsay! Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of 
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i can’t remember the last time I made meatballs. Thwyre such a great way to get more nutrients. I may have to make a batch now!
Now sounds like a great time to me Megan! Let me know what you think! Thanks!
I made my herbed turkey meatballs the other week, and they were so good I had to make them again! You know I would love these, especially over the cauli rice from the other day!
Ahh, yes, these would be great over the cauli rice! Thanks friend!
Definitely a Lady and the Tramp dinner opportunity!
My family loves meatballs, and these look delicious (and healthy, to boot). Hope you’re settling in well at the new place!
isn’t that the best movie? I cry every time. And yes, we are hangin in there. I need someone to organize for me. Story of my life. haha
mmmm mmmm mmmm- I love me some meatballs!
you and me both!
Cotter with the savory balls!!! I love it. You know I have a sriracha thing. Vegas can’t get on board with my spice needs… we may have to split the post on these. This will work with turkey too, no? I have a bunch of it.
My favorite balls are Italian meatballs. I’m not sure I’ve ever put it on the blog, actually… but I’ve been making them for 10 years!
you know I totally made this for you too. And yes, turkey totally works!
what ingredients are in the sweet and spicy sauce?
it’s pineapple with chili sauce. SO GOOD!
I am all with you in terms of PEACE OF MIND! If a recipe as gorgeous as this can bring me additional ‘peace of mind’, what else would I want from life!! You have totally killed me with this stunning piece + the nourishment factor of it!
amen amen! yea to both! always. haha
These meatballs are a total win for me! They look so good Lindsay, beautiful photos!
me too! I’m addicted. and thank you Quin!
Ooh spicy meatballs sound interesting? I don’t think I’ve ever had spicy before, but these sound like they are really good. Are they super super spicy or just slightly?
hey lovely! you can totally use a different spice other than sriracha. Or just add a little. I didn’t think they were spicy. Maybe try a mild chili sauce or salsa.
You had me at Sriracha. I’m going to try using TVP or lentils if I ever make this recipe. Fingers crossed!
oh great idea! i bet TVP would be great!
You had my attention at meatballs! These look perfect for Super Bowl Sunday!
It’s like you knew I was craving meatballs. I want to try my hand at a veggie version with lentils. Think it’ll work? I hope so. Until then, I shall ogle your balls. 🙂
i think we need a lentil meatball making date. While drinking wine. Sound good? LOL!
This sounds really nice. gonna make this for tea tonight. Thanks. Simon
great! hope you enjoy Simon
I made these tonight and didn’t blend the sauce. I was too tired to clean the blender! Anyway they were great with the “deconstructed” sauce. Delicious!
oh awesome! glad you liked minus the sauce. I feel ya on the cleaning. LOL!
These were tasty but they came out a bit too sweet for me. I think next time I would omit the maple syrup completely, the ketchup, pineapple, and sriracha had plenty of sugar in them to get that sweet and spicy flavor. I loooove spicy food so I put the highest recommended amount of sriracha and pepper flakes, but next time I might put a bit less of those in because this turned out sooo spicy for me.
Oh sorry to here. My husband loves spicy and sweet so that’s why I added the extra maple syrup. did you use pineapple juice with no added sugar?
These were so delish!
YESSSS—These look UNREAL??
Thanks friend! I hope you get to try them!
These were amazing! I used half pork, half beef. They were so tender and the flavor was amazing! Really easy which I love. I even made them while feeding my 15 month old her dinner. Thanks for the great recipe!
Oh love the pork addition! YUM! thanks for sharing and trying!
Hello! What is the amount per serving? 1 meatball?
Just about yes, but thats for the larger meatballs, bigger than golf ball size. So I’d say 3 meatballs around 180- 200 calories at that size. Hope that helps!
I’m gonna try this recipe. Last time I tried to make paleo it was awful.
I think you’ll enjoy these Julia! Keep me posted
This looks amazing! I may have missed it, but how much is a serving? Thanks!
★★★★★
Thanks brittany! i’d say 3 meatballs would be a good serving.
Hello! Where do I find the ingredients list for this recipe?
Just emailed you!
Good morning!
This recipe looks great! Would it be ok not to use pineapple if I do not have it or will it make a difference? I am excited to try it!
Thank you!
Katie