How to Make Keto Pork Meatballs
August 22, 2024
These keto air fryer pork meatballs are a perfect blend of savory and aromatic flavors, featuring ground pork, fresh ginger, garlic, scallions, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce. They’re incredibly delicious, quick to prepare, and ready in just 15 minutes. The ginger and garlic provide a warm, spicy undertone, while the Worcestershire and soy sauces add depth and umami, making these meatballs burst with flavor.
We’ll be serving these with a Thai peanut sauce, which we’ll enhance by diluting with hot black tea and adding garlic, ginger, chili pepper, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Traditionally, this sauce includes brown sugar for sweetness, but to keep it keto-friendly, we’re skipping the sugar. Despite the omission, the sauce remains rich, savory, and perfectly balanced, delivering a satisfying kick without the carbs.
Cooking these meatballs in the air fryer not only speeds up the process but also ensures a crispy exterior without needing extra oil, making it a healthier option. However, if you prefer, you can easily prepare them in a skillet with a bit of oil—just fry them until they’re browned on all sides and cooked through.
For those who might prefer a different protein, ground beef works just as well in this recipe, offering a slightly richer taste. Whether enjoyed as an appetizer or a main dish paired with a fresh side salad, these meatballs are not only delicious but also an excellent low-carb option that fits perfectly into a ketogenic lifestyle.
The low-carb nature of this dish helps maintain steady energy levels, avoids blood sugar spikes, and supports weight management. Plus, the combination of protein and healthy fats keeps you full and satisfied for longer, making it a great choice for anyone following a low-carb diet. Enjoy!
Pork Meatballs with Thai Peanut Sauce
Serves: 4 to 6
For the Sauce:
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 to 3/4 cup strong steeped black tea — hot
1 teaspoon grated ginger
2 garlic cloves — minced
1 small chili pepper (such as serrano or jalapeño) — minced
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons lime juice
2 teaspoons oil (I used avocado)
2 teaspoons fish sauce
Instructions:
Place the peanut butter into a small bowl.
Add 1/2 cup of hot tea and mix well. If the sauce is still too thick, add more tea, 1/8 cup at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
Add the grated ginger, minced garlic, chili pepper, soy sauce, lime juice, oil, and fish sauce to the peanut butter mixture.
Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed.
Nutritional Breakdown per 1/6th of the Sauce:
Calories: 272.6 kcal
Total Fat: 22.9 g
Saturated Fat: 2.8 g
Total Carbohydrate: 10.3 g
Fiber: 4.1 g
Sugar: 1.6 g
Protein: 11.2 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Trans Fat: 0 g
Sodium: 204.1 mg
For the Meatballs:
1 1/2 pounds ground pork (or beef)
3 garlic cloves — minced
6 scallions — trimmed and chopped (white, light green, and dark green parts)
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons soy sauce
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
Place the ground pork (or beef) in a large bowl.
Add the minced garlic, chopped scallions, grated ginger, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, turmeric, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
Mix everything together thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are evenly combined.
Form the mixture into meatballs about the size of a walnut. You should get approximately 20 meatballs. To ensure even cooking, try to make all the meatballs the same size.
Preheat your air fryer.
Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. If necessary, cook in batches.
Select the ‘beef’ setting and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes, or until fully cooked.
Nutritional Breakdown per 3.5 Meatballs:
Calories: 150.9 kcal
Total Fat: 4.7 g
Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
Total Carbohydrate: 2.9 g
Fiber: 0.7 g
Sugar: 0.7 g
Protein: 24.6 g
Cholesterol: 66.9 mg
Trans Fat: 0.04 g
Sodium: 171.1 mg