Name: Low-carb French Onion Meatballs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Low-carb
Ingredients: 1 ½ lbs. ground beef; ½ C. crushed pork rind crumbs (about 2 oz. crushed); 1 whole egg; 2 Tbsp. French onion soup mix; 3 oz. gruyere cheese shredded and divided; ½ medium onion sliced thinly, (plus 1/2 cup of water); 1 Tbsp. olive oil; ⅓ C. beef broth (or chicken broth); ¼ C. heavy whipping cream; pink Himalayan salt; black pepper

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There are some meals that simply evoke comfort. French onion soup is one of those meals. The warmth of the soup combined with the tender goodness of the French bread and the cheese is one that I crave as the weather begins to turn from hot summer to chilly fall. But, I’ll be honest my husband and son are not fans of French Onion Soup, that’s why this French Onion Meatballs family dinner idea works better for my family.

Since I try to eat healthy, I made this one a low-carb dinner idea. The onions, though, are sweet but since you’re only using a half onion you can keep the carb count super low per serving.

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There is just something amazing about how caramelized onions taste. There is this luscious flavor that is both savory and sweet and combined it brings such warm comfort to you when eating.

Ingredients you’ll need for French Onion Meatballs

ground beef
pork rind crumbs, this serves as the binding, but because it’s pure protein you won’t miss the carbs at all.
an egg
French onion soup mix
gruyere cheese
½ medium onion
extra virgin olive oil
beef broth
heavy whipping cream
pink salt
black pepper

These ingredients are easy to find in your grocery store so you won’t have to go searching high and low for some fancy ingredient. The gruyere may be found in the deli cheeses rather than the refrigerated section. But, most stores do carry it.

Low-carb Meatballs Recipe

You’ll love that this recipe comes together so fast. You’ll be able to get your entire meal on the table in under 45 minutes. And, it’s packed with loads of flavor.

You’ll want to get started with caramelizing the onions. Heat the oil in a medium skillet. Add the sliced onions and cook until they begin to soften and brown. Be careful not to burn the onions as that will leave them bitter. To prevent this, pour about 1/4 cup of water into the pan with the onions to help soften them gently. Let the water evaporate and as it does the onions will begin to brown.

While your onions are cooking start mixing your meat mixture for the meatballs. Crumble the pork rind crumbs, and combine it with the ground beef, egg, French onion soup mix, and 2 oz. of the shredded Gruyere cheese. Be sure to sprinkle in your salt and pepper.

Mix together well with your hands or in a stand mixer if you prefer. Form the meatballs, this recipe should make about small sized meatballs.

Once the onions are cooked. Remove them from the skillet and place the meatballs in.

Cook thoroughly turning often to brown evenly until completely cooked through. Remove the meatballs from the skillet when finished.

Add the beef broth, or use chicken broth if you don’t have beef, to the skillet, and scrape the bottom to loosen any bits. Whisk the heavy whipping cream into the skillet until well blended.

Place the onions and meatballs back into the skillet, and toss to coat before serving.

Get the Complete Recipe for French Onion Meatballs

6 servings

Low-carb French Onion Meatballs

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

1 ½ lbs. ground beef

½ C. crushed pork rind crumbs (about 2 oz. crushed)
1 whole egg
2 Tbsp. French onion soup mix

3 oz. gruyere cheese shredded and divided
½ medium onion sliced thinly, (plus 1/2 cup of water)
1 Tbsp. olive oil

⅓ C. beef broth (or chicken broth)
¼ C. heavy whipping cream
pink Himalayan salt

black pepper

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat on the stove.
Add the sliced onions to the skillet, and cook until they begin to brown and soften. I like to put a bit of water in the skillet and cover with a vented lid, this allows the onions to simmer, and soften, without burning, as the liquid evaporates the onions will begin to caramelize. Once caramelized, remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, pork rind crumbs, egg, french onion soup mix, 2 oz. of the shredded Gruyere cheese as well as salt and pepper to taste. Mix together well with your hands until well combined.
Form the meat mixture into 30 evenly sized meatballs.
Place the meatballs in the heated skillet on the stove, and cook, turning to brown evenly until completely cooked through.

Remove the meatballs from the skillet when finished.
Add the chicken or beef broth to the skillet, and scrape the bottom to loosen any bits.
Whisk the heavy whipping cream into the skillet until well blended.

Place the onions and meatballs back into the skillet, and toss to coat before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

5 meatballs
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 476Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 167mgSodium: 476mgCarbohydrates: 2.2gNet Carbohydrates: 1.9gFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.6gProtein: 40g