Meatballs are delicious, tender, juicy, and versatile. You can serve them as an appetizer, main course, or in a meatball sub. They go well with several sides and are always the star of the show when paired with pasta and marinara sauce.
Most homemade meatball recipes call for eggs, but what if you are allergic to eggs or don’t have any on hand? No problem! Keep reading to learn how to make meatballs without egg.
Why do we use eggs when making meatballs?
When making homemade meatballs, the egg is usually an essential ingredient. Most recipes require eggs not only for flavor but to ensure you get the texture you require. Adding egg to meatballs acts as a binding agent, so the meatballs retain their spherical shape. They also keep meatballs moist and juicy.
Can you make meatballs without eggs?
Because almost every meatball recipe uses eggs, people often wonder if it is possible to make meatballs without adding eggs. Well, the answer is yes, you can!
What are some substitutes for eggs when making meatballs?
If you want to make eggless meatballs, all you have to do is use any of these ingredients below instead of eggs:
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk is widely used in making fried chicken, but you can also use it instead of eggs for meatballs. Substitute about 2 tablespoons of buttermilk for each egg that you replace.
- Plain yogurt: Plain yogurt does a great job of binding meatballs. Substitute three tablespoons of yogurt for each egg that you replace.
- Ricotta cheese: If you love the cheesy flavor, add ricotta cheese to your meatballs. It not only acts as a binding agent but also adds a cheesy flavor to your meatballs. Use about ¼ cup of ricotta cheese in place of an egg.
- Apple sauce: You can use unsweetened applesauce instead of eggs in meatballs. Add about 3 tablespoons of unsweetened apple sauce for each egg that you replace.
- Bread crumbs: Adding fresh breadcrumbs combined with plain yogurt or buttermilk work wonders in helping meatballs to maintain their shape.
- Xanthan gum: This ingredient is widely used in vegan recipes and is perfect for meatballs instead of eggs.
- Crackers: Crushed crackers mixed with plain yogurt or buttermilk are another great substitute for eggs in meatballs.
- Margarine/Vegetable oil: Margarine or vegetable oil works as a great binding agent for meatballs instead of eggs. and is an excellent egg substitute.
How to make meatballs without egg
- Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Serving: 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground meat of choice
- 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup fresh breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- ½ cup onion, minced
- 3 tbsp plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped
- black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef, plain yogurt, fresh breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, minced onion, garlic powder, red chili flakes, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt.
- Mix well using a fork or with the help of your hands until everything is well combined.
- Cover the bowl with cling film and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
- Take the bowl out of the refrigerator and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Grease your hands and take a small portion of the mixture to shape it in the form of small 2-inch balls.
- Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet. Place the raw meatballs in the skillet and cook them for about 5 to 7 minutes or until they turn golden on all sides.
- You can also place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven or air fry them until they are cooked through.
- Serve the cooked meatballs with homemade marinara sauce, tomato sauce, or spaghetti sauce, or any of your favorite side dishes.
How to make meatballs without egg
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Serving: 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground meat of choice
- 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup fresh breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- ½ cup onion minced
- 3 tbsp plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup parsley finely chopped
- black pepper to taste
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef, plain yogurt, fresh breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, minced onion, garlic powder, red chili flakes, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt.
- Mix well using a fork or with the help of your hands until everything is well combined.
- Cover the bowl with cling film and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
- Take the bowl out of the refrigerator and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Grease your hands and take a small portion of the mixture to shape it in the form of small 2-inch balls.
- Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet. Place the raw meatballs in the skillet and cook them for about 5 to 7 minutes or until they turn golden on all sides.
- You can also place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven or air fry them until they are cooked through.
- Serve the cooked meatballs with a homemade marinara sauce, tomato sauce, or spaghetti sauce, or any of your favorite side dishes.
What to make with meatballs
There are many different dishes you can make with meatballs! Here are a few ideas:
- Spaghetti and Meatballs: Cook up some spaghetti and serve it with homemade or pre-made meatballs in tomato sauce.
- Meatball Subs: Toast some sub rolls and stuff them with meatballs, tomato sauce, and melted cheese.
- Swedish Meatballs: Make a creamy sauce with beef broth, sour cream, and flour, and serve it with meatballs over egg noodles.
- Meatball Stroganoff: Make a creamy sauce with beef broth, sour cream, and flour, and serve it with meatballs over egg noodles.
- Meatball Pizza: Top a pizza crust with tomato sauce, shredded cheese, and meatballs, and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Meatball Soup: Add meatballs to a vegetable soup for a hearty and filling meal.
- Meatball Kabobs: Thread meatballs onto skewers with veggies like bell peppers and onions, and grill until cooked through.
- Meatball Sliders: Toast slider buns and top them with meatballs, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese for a fun and tasty appetizer or snack.