Do you always buy them in the frozen aisle, but secretly wish you knew how to make meatballs from scratch? Don’t worry, these are the easy instructions you’ve been looking for!
The mix is made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg and seasoning. You can either cook them in a skillet on the stovetop or bake them in the oven.
Or freeze them to always have some homemade ones on hand for all the spaghetti sauce (Italian Meatballs, yay!), soups and crock pot/slow cooker recipes your family loves to eat!
How to freeze raw meatballs
Wrap the sheet tightly with foil and freeze the meatballs until they’re solid. This will take a couple of hours, depending on the freezer you have.
Then, pack the meatballs into freezer bags in the portion size you usually need. Make sure to label the bags with „homemade raw beef meatballs“ and today’s date!
The meatballs keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Allow the meatballs to thaw in the fridge for 12-24 hours, then cook them as you would freshly made ones.
Step by step photos
Think of it as if you were making bread: Just like a yeast dough, the meat „dough“ needs to be kneaded thoroughly to stick together. If you don’t knead it until the protein sticks together, your meatballs will be crumbly and not holding their shape later.
For a large batch:
If you’re multiplying the ingredients (you can scale up as much as you like, but I wouldn’t recommend making more than 5 pounds of meat in one go), it’s easier to knead the meat in a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment.
Once the mix is kneaded thoroughly, scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of meat.
Cup the meat between your palms and roll it into a tight ball.
Place the meatballs in a single layer on a lined baking sheet.
Gordon Ramsay Meatball Recipe: A Classic Mixture of Beef and Pork
FAQ
What keeps meatballs from falling apart?
What is the binding ingredient in meatballs?
What can I add to meatballs to stick together?
What is the best binder for meatballs?
How do you make meatballs stick together?
The short answer to make meatballs stick together is by using eggs and bread crumbs. The egg (s) and breadcrumbs will act as glue after the meatballs are cooked but always cook your meatball for at least 10 minutes in salted water before grilling, frying, or cooking with them (this protects your meatballs from falling apart).
What crumbs do you add to meatballs?
Breadcrumbs – Breadcrumbs are added to meatball mixtures to absorb moisture and help bind the ingredients together. They also contribute to the texture of the meatballs. You can use fresh breadcrumbs or dried breadcrumbs, depending on the recipe. Egg – Eggs are a common binding agent in meatball recipes.
What can I use to make meatballs?
Chicken and turkey also work great, even ground pork. Garlic: Fresh minced garlic will give you the most flavor. Egg: These will help hold your meatballs together in that classic shape. Yellow Onion: You can also use a white onion, but a yellow onion has a little more sweetness to it. This recipe uses 1 pound of ground beef to make 15 meatballs.
Do bread crumbs bind meatballs together?
The combination of bread crumbs and egg are the “binder” that holds your meatballs together. If the mixture gets too moist it can become soggy, which makes it hard to form the meatballs. If you run into this problem, start by adding panko bread crumbs 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture allows you to form nice, rounded meatballs.