AIP Honey Garlic Meatballs

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AIP Honey Garlic Meatballs

These meatballs are packed with flavor and coated in a glossy, sweet-savory sauce that feels comforting and satisfying. They work well as an appetizer, meal prep protein, or easy family dinner.

Yield: 20–22 meatballs
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the meatballs
1 pound lean ground beef
1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 small yellow onion, finely diced
1 stalk celery, finely diced
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
Finely chopped scallions, for garnish, optional

For the honey garlic sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut aminos
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon tapioca starch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, basil, thyme, crushed garlic, onion, celery, and sea salt. Mix until just combined.

Form the mixture into meatballs about 1 inch wide and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until cooked through.

While the meatballs bake, make the sauce. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant and lightly golden.

Add the honey, coconut aminos, balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Stir and bring the sauce to a light boil.

Whisk together the tapioca starch and water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the skillet and whisk until the sauce thickens.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.

Add the cooked meatballs to the skillet and toss gently to coat. Let them simmer in the sauce for another minute or two so everything is well glazed.

Garnish with chopped scallions if desired, and serve warm.

Website note
These are excellent served over sautéed greens, alongside roasted vegetables, or as a simple protein-forward appetizer.

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