Finding new dinner ideas that are low in carbohydrates but still filling can sometimes feel like a challenge.
You want something that tastes good, satisfies your hunger, and provides plenty of protein and healthy fats. These bacon cheeseburger meatballs are the perfect solution for anyone on a keto diet.
They are rich, flavorful, and very satisfying to eat. Because they are made with fatty ground beef and bacon, they will keep you full for a long time without making you feel heavy or bloated.
Seasoning is key to making these meatballs taste great. We use a simple blend of salt, black pepper, onion powder, and a little garlic. These are standard spices that you likely already have in your kitchen cabinet.
These meatballs are incredibly versatile. You can serve them as a main course alongside a small salad or some roasted vegetables if you like. They are also great on their own as a high-protein snack.
👍 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Tastes Just Like a Cheeseburger: This recipe is perfect for anyone who misses the taste of a classic fast-food bacon cheeseburger but cannot eat the bun.
When you bite into these meatballs, you get that familiar mix of savory beef, melted cheddar cheese, and salty bacon all at once.
Zero Carb Binder: Many meatball recipes require breadcrumbs to hold the meat together, which adds a lot of unwanted carbohydrates. This recipe uses crushed pork rinds instead of bread or flour.
Perfect for Meal Prep: These meatballs reheat very well, which makes them an excellent choice for people who like to cook their meals in advance for the week.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef (80/20% or 70/30%)
- 1 Egg (large)
- 1/2 pound Chopped Bacon (partially cooked until just starting to crisp)
- 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1/2 cup Pork Rinds Crumbs (use these pork rinds– amazon link)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this easy recipe:
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2
Place all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Step 3
Mix everything until well combined and form into meatballs.
Step 4
Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper – in a single layer, leaving enough space between each meatball).
Step 5
Bake for 8-12 minutes until golden brown. Yummy!
💡Tips
1. Don’t Put Raw Bacon Inside
It is very important to partially cook your bacon before you mix it into the raw beef. If you put completely raw bacon into the meatball mixture, the short time the meatballs spend in the oven (only about 10 minutes) is not enough time to fully cook the bacon inside.
This results in rubbery, chewy, and fatty pieces of bacon that are not pleasant to eat. You want to fry the bacon in a pan until it is cooked through but not yet super crispy or brittle.
It should still be flexible. This way, when it bakes inside the meatball, it releases its smoky flavor into the beef without ruining the texture of the bite.
2. Be Gentle When Mixing
When you combine all your ingredients in the bowl, use your hands to mix, but be careful not to overwork the meat.
If you squeeze, mash, and knead the ground beef too aggressively or for too long, the protein fibers in the meat will get tough.
This results in a meatball that feels dense and rubbery like a bouncy ball rather than tender and soft. You want to mix just until the spices, cheese, and bacon are evenly distributed throughout the meat, and then stop immediately.
3. Don’t Leave Them in the Oven Too Long
Because these meatballs are small and baked at a high temperature of 400°F, they cook very quickly. It is easy to accidentally overcook them if you walk away for too long. Ground beef can go from juicy to dry very fast once it passes the “done” point.
Start checking them at the 8-minute mark. You are looking for a golden-brown color on the outside. If you have a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C).
Remember that the meatballs will continue to cook a little bit from their own internal heat after you take them out of the oven.
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FAQ
Can I cook these in an air fryer?
Absolutely! These meatballs come out great in the air fryer and it is often faster than using the oven. To do this, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Place the meatballs in the basket in a single layer, making sure they do not touch each other so the hot air can circulate around them.
You might need to cook them in batches if your basket is small. Cook them for about 8 to 10 minutes.
Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs
Print RecipeIngredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef 80/20% or 70/30%
- 1 Egg large
- 1/2 pound Chopped Bacon partially cooked until just starting to crisp
- 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1/2 cup Pork Rinds Crumbs (use these pork rinds– amazon link)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix everything until well combined and form into meatballs.
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper – in a single layer, leaving enough space between each meatball).
- Bake for 8-12 minutes until golden brown. Yummy!
These are amazing!