Vegan Meatballs | It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken

These simple vegan meatballs are hearty, flavorful, and full of protein. Made with pantry-friendly TVP (textured vegetable protein), they bake up tender and meaty with frivolously crisp edges. Good for spaghetti, meatball subs, bowls, or appetizers, they usually freeze superbly for meal prep.

I do know “textured vegetable protein” would not precisely sound appetizing. However hear me out: this cheap pantry ingredient makes the BEST vegan meatballs. In contrast to numerous vegan meatball recipes made with beans or lentils (which might typically prove mushy) or pricy store-bought vegan floor (which is not at all times very wholesome), TVP creates a chewy, hearty, meaty texture that will get crispy on the skin whereas staying tender within the center. Plus, it is shelf-stable, excessive in protein, and created from only one ingredient: soy flour. I at all times maintain a bag in my pantry for recipes like this and my reader-favorite Vegan Breakfast Sausage Patties. If you’re new to TVP, do not be afraid to attempt it! It’s so handy and scrumptious.

Vegan meatballs on sheet pan with fresh basil.

Why These Vegan Meatballs Are the Greatest EVER

Wonderful meaty texture: TVP provides these meatballs a hearty, chewy texture with no need costly store-bought vegan meat.
Price range-friendly: These do-it-yourself vegan meatballs are cheaper than packaged vegan meatballs or plant-based floor.
Protein-packed: TVP is of course excessive in protein, making these meatballs hearty and satisfying.
Made with pantry staples: No particular vegan meats required. Simply easy components you’ll be able to maintain readily available.
Good for meal prep: They freeze superbly and reheat like a dream too.

Components for Vegan Meatballs

Olive oil: Or use broth or water for an oil-free model.
Yellow onion and garlic: Chop the onion finely and mince or press the garlic so it blends seamlessly into the meatball combination.
TVP granules: You’ll find these within the well being meals part of your grocery retailer, in well being meals shops, or you’ll be able to buy them online.
Broth: Vegan beefless broth provides the richest taste, however mushroom or vegetable broth additionally works properly.
Soy sauce: Use tamari for a gluten-free model.
Dietary yeast: For savory depth and somewhat tacky taste.
Seasonings: Dried basil, entire fennel seeds, and black pepper.
All-purpose flour: Helps bind every little thing collectively. Use an all-purpose gluten-free flour mix if wanted.

The best way to Make Vegan Meatballs

Sauté the Aromatics: Warmth olive oil in a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the onion and garlic and cook dinner till softened and frivolously golden.

Pouring broth into pan with TVP, onions, and garlic.

Hydrate the TVP: Stir within the TVP, broth, and soy sauce. Convey to a simmer, then cowl and cook dinner till the liquid is absorbed and the TVP softens.

Season and Bind: Take away from warmth and stir within the dietary yeast, basil, fennel seeds, and black pepper. Add the flour and blend till a dough varieties that holds collectively when pressed. If the combination feels too moist, add one other tablespoon of flour. If it feels dry, add a splash of broth or water.

Vegan meatballs shaped with cookie dough scoop.

Form the Meatballs: Let the combination cool barely, then roll into meatballs about 2 tablespoons every. A cookie scoop works properly for evenly sized meatballs.

Vegan meatballs on parchment lined baking sheet.

Bake: Place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and frivolously brush or spray with oil. Bake at 400°F for 30 to 35 minutes, turning them just a few occasions throughout baking, till browned and agency on the skin.

Use: Add tp marinara sauce and serve over pasta, use them in a vegan meatball subs, get pleasure from them as an appetizer, or munch on them straight from the pan.

Suggestions and Variations

Do not skip the resting time: Letting the combination cool barely earlier than rolling makes it a lot simpler to form and helps the meatballs maintain collectively higher.
The combination ought to really feel like cookie dough: If it is too moist, add one other tablespoon of flour. If it is too dry or crumbly, add a splash of broth or water.
Moist your arms: The combination is usually a little sticky whereas shaping, so frivolously damp arms make rolling a lot simpler.
Bake earlier than simmering in sauce: For one of the best texture, bake the meatballs first so that they maintain collectively properly, then simmer them in marinara.
Air fryer choice: Air fry at 370°F for 18 to 24 minutes, shaking just a few occasions throughout cooking, till browned and agency.

Vegan meatball being scooped out of skillet with spoon.

Methods to Serve Vegan Meatballs

These vegan meatballs are so versatile! Listed here are just a few of my favourite methods to serve them:

Storage and Freezing

Fridge: Retailer leftover vegan meatballs in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
Freezer: Let the meatballs cool utterly, then freeze them in a single layer earlier than transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for as much as 3 months.
Reheating: Bake from frozen at 375°F for 15 to twenty minutes till heated by way of, or simmer instantly in sauce throughout the previous few minutes of cooking.