Vegan Barbecue Meatballs
These Vegan Barbecue Meatballs are a meal by themselves, healthy, and delicious to boot. Beans and oats and a few spices make these meatballs perfectly textured and a great vehicle for the homemade barbecue sauce. A vegan, soy-free, nut-free, gluten-free recipe.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: nut-free, Soy-free
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 20 meatballs
Calories: 50kcal
For meatballs:
- 1 15 ounce can pinto beans, drained and thoroughly rinsed
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sage
- Salt to taste
- 4 tablespoon vegetable oil to fry meatballs (the meatballs will absorb very little oil if you fry at a temperature of 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and you'll be able to throw most of the remaining oil into the trash and not in your tummy)
For barbecue sauce:
- 1 cup tomato ketchup
- ½ cup vegetable stock
- 2 tablespoon liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon molasses (optional)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
Make meatballs:
Place all of the meatball ingredients except the oil in the food processor and pulse a few times until the oats are broken down into small bits. The mixture should be evenly mixed and when you take a piece in your palms and roll into a ball, it should hold its shape.
Divide the mixture into 20 1-inch meatballs.
Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed fry pan or skillet. I used the Lagostina 10-inch fry pan for this.
Place the meatballs in a single layer, without overlapping or overcrowding. Fry, turning over occasionally, until the meatballs are browned on all sides.
Remove the meatballs to a plate lined with paper napkins and set aside.
Make the barbecue sauce:
Place all of the ingredients for the barbecue sauce in a small saucepan. I used the Lagostina 1 ¾ quart saucepan for this.
Bring to a boil, turn down the heat to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Turn off heat.
Place the meatballs in a bowl or skillet and pour the barbecue sauce over them. Coat the meatballs thoroughly and serve.
Serving: 1meatball | Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.8g | Protein: 1.7g | Fat: 1.8g | Fiber: 1.5g | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1.4mg