This easy keto Thai meatballs recipe is a great way to add some excitement to your low-carb meals. If you’re looking for a dish that’s full of flavor but still fits your diet, you’ve come to the right place.
These meatballs combine the rich taste of beef with the bright, fresh flavors of Thai cuisine, all while keeping things keto-friendly. Making these meatballs is pretty straightforward, even if you’re not an expert cook.
You’ll need some ground beef, a few herbs and spices, and a handful of other ingredients you can easily find at most grocery stores. The sauce is made with coconut milk, which gives it a creamy texture without adding many carbs.
You can serve these meatballs as a main dish with some cauliflower rice, or make them smaller and serve them as appetizers at a party. They’re also great for meal prep – you can make a big batch and reheat them throughout the week for quick, tasty lunches or dinners.
And if you’re new to keto cooking, this recipe is a good one to try. It shows how you can still enjoy interesting, flavorful meals while sticking to your low-carb goals.
👍 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
High in Protein: With ground beef as the main ingredient, these meatballs are packed with protein. This is great for keto dieters because protein helps you feel full and satisfied after your meal.
Keto-Friendly Comfort Food: These meatballs are a perfect example of how you can enjoy comfort food while sticking to your keto diet. They’re hearty and satisfying, just like traditional meatballs, but without the carbs that usually come with them.
Easy to Make: Don’t let the fancy flavors fool you – this recipe is actually pretty simple to make. You mix the meatball ingredients, form them into balls, cook them in a skillet, and then make the sauce. Easy.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 pounds Ground Beef
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil (chopped)
- 1/4 cup Green Onions (chopped)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Thai Red Cury Paste (I recommend this one – amazon)
- 3/4 tablespoon Swerve Sweetener
Sauce
- 1 can Coconut Milk (unsweetened)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Butter
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil (chopped)
- 1 Red Bell Pepper (chopped)
- 1/2 Onion (chopped)
- 3/4 tablespoon Red Curry Paste
- 1 tablespoon Lime Juice
- 1 teaspoon Fish Sauce (I recommend this one – amazon)
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this easy recipe:
Step 1
In a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients until very well combined.
Step 2
Form the mixture into small meatballs (about 2 inches in size).
Step 3
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the meatballs, cook for a few minutes, then move them around and continue cooking until completely browned.
Step 4
Remove the meatballs and drain any oil from the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter and onion. Sauté until the onion softens.
Step 5
Add the red bell pepper and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Then, stir in the coconut milk, lime juice, fish sauce, red curry paste, chopped basil, red pepper flakes, and salt. Combine well and simmer until the sauce thickens.
Step 6
Add the meatballs and toss to coat them in the sauce. Remove from the heat and garnish with green onions. That’s it! Enjoy!
💡Tips
1. Don’t Crowd The Pan
When you’re cooking the meatballs, give them some space in the pan. If you crowd too many in at once, they’ll steam instead of brown.
This means less flavor and a not-so-great texture. Cook them in batches if you need to. It might take a little longer, but the result will be way better.
2. Simmer The Sauce
Once you’ve added all the sauce ingredients, let everything simmer for a bit. This isn’t just about heating it up – simmering helps all the flavors meld together.
It also thickens the sauce. A good rule of thumb is to let it simmer until it’s reduced by about a quarter. You’ll notice it getting a bit thicker and the color might deepen a little.
3. Taste And Adjust
Before you add the meatballs back into the sauce, give it a taste. Thai food is all about balance – you want a mix of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. If it needs more salt, add a splash of fish sauce.
For more tang, squeeze in some extra lime juice. If you want it spicier, add a bit more curry paste. Remember, it’s easier to add more than to take away, so add just a little at a time and keep tasting.
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FAQ
1. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, you can definitely use ground turkey instead of beef in this recipe. Turkey is a great lean protein option that works well with the Thai flavors.
Keep in mind that turkey has less fat than beef, so your meatballs might be a bit drier. To keep them juicy , you could add a tablespoon of olive oil to the meat mixture.
2. Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?
Absolutely! These meatballs are great for meal prep. You can mix and form the meatballs up to a day ahead and keep them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
You can also cook the meatballs and make the sauce separately, then store them in the fridge for 3-4 days.
3. What can I serve with these meatballs to keep it keto?
There are lots of keto-friendly options to serve with these meatballs. Cauliflower rice is a popular choice – it’s low in carbs and soaks up the sauce nicely. You could also serve them over zucchini noodles (zoodles).
Keto Thai Meatballs
Meatballs
- 2 pounds Ground Beef
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Garlic minced
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil chopped
- 1/4 cup Green Onions chopped
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Thai Red Cury Paste (I recommend this one – amazon)
- 3/4 tablespoon Swerve Sweetener
Sauce
- 1 can Coconut Milk unsweetened
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Butter
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil chopped
- 1 Red Bell Pepper chopped
- 1/2 Onion chopped
- 3/4 tablespoon Red Curry Paste
- 1 tablespoon Lime Juice
- 1 teaspoon Fish Sauce (I recommend this one – amazon)
- In a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients until very well combined.
- Form the mixture into small meatballs (about 2 inches in size).
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the meatballs, cook for a few minutes, then move them around and continue cooking until completely browned.
- Remove the meatballs and drain any oil from the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter and onion. Sauté until the onion softens.
- Add the red bell pepper and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Then, stir in the coconut milk, lime juice, fish sauce, red curry paste, chopped basil, red pepper flakes, and salt. Combine well and simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Add the meatballs and toss to coat them in the sauce. Remove from the heat and garnish with green onions. That’s it! Enjoy!