Vegan Lentil Meatballs (2024)

FAQs

What can I use instead of eggs in meatballs vegan? ›

If you don't have JUST Egg, use 2 flax eggs instead (2 tablespoons of ground flax stirred together with 5 tablespoons of water). Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves give the meatballs a stronger, more savory flavor.

What can I use instead of eggs to bind meatballs? There are several options to substitute eggs in a meatball recipe: 2 tablespoons of buttermilk per egg, 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt per egg, 1/4 cup ricotta cheese per egg, or 3 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce per egg.

Lentils can be used pretty much anywhere you'd use crumbled cooked ground beef. Try them in burgers, meatballs, meatloaf, sloppy Joes, tacos, burritos, marinara sauce (for a quick, meatless Bolognese), shepherd's pie, or stuffed peppers.

Ground flax seeds

One of the most popular egg substitutes in vegan baking is a flax egg. This is made by combining ground (not whole) flax seeds with water and leaving to sit for 15 minutes until the mixture becomes thick, almost the same consistency as a regular egg.

Pumpkin seeds (also called pepitas) are boiled and then blended with seasoning into a batter. Then just pour it into a hot pan and cook it up! This makes a vegan scramble that is fluffy, creamy, and super delicious. It's also low in calories and high in protein.

Lentil protein, like other pulse proteins, is a good source of the essential amino acids, particularly leucine, lysine, threonine, and phenylalanine, but is deficient in the sulfur-containing essential amino acids methionine and cysteine (Table 11.1).

Lentil Are a Source of Protein

Lentils contain plant-based protein, making them a valued part of a vegan and vegetarian diet. While lentils are not considered a complete protein source, they can easily be combined with vegetables and grains to ensure that you're receiving all of the essential amino acids.

Lentils also fall into a commercial category called a pulse. Pulses are the dried version of the bean/seed that comes out of a pod on a legume plant; those bags of dried kidney beans or pinto beans or lentils that you see in the grocery store all qualify as pulses.

Egg acts as a binder for the ingredients, but you only need a small amount. One small egg will do for one pound of minced meat. Alternatively, if you're following an egg-free diet, you could soak fresh bread in milk, squeezing out any excess milk, to use as a binder.

What happens if you don't put eggs in meatballs? ›

If you forgot to grab eggs at the grocery store, don't worry. The liquid and breadcrumbs are sufficient to hold the egg-free meatballs' shape and ensure the meatballs are tender. However, we do want to add a little extra liquid to make up for the lack of egg.

Here, we're soaking fresh or dried breadcrumbs in a little milk until the bread becomes soggy, then mixing that right into the meat. This binder (aka panade) helps add moisture to the meatballs and also prevents the meat proteins from shrinking and becoming tough.

Pound for pound, raw lentils have more protein than steak. While not as protein-dense once cooked, they pack even more iron than meat, in addition to other vitamins and minerals. Fast to cook, easy to store and exalted enough to be buried with the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, these seeds have sustained empires.

If your water is too hard (alkaline) your legumes (peas, beans, lentils) will be softer than if you have soft (acidic) water. You can add something acidic (vinegar, wine, tomatoes) to balance it, but your lentils may never soften at all, so start with very small amounts.

Substitute Lentils for Ground Meat

Replace 1 pound of ground meat with 2 cups of cooked, drained lentils. Keep cooking time to around 30 minutes (reduce it if necessary) so the lentils stay whole and firm. Pre-cooked boxed or canned lentils also do the trick when time is short.

Chia seeds work as a great egg replacer. 2 tablespoon of Chia Seeds soaked in 3 tablespoon of water is the equivalent of one egg.

Flaxseed Meal Substitute For Egg in Meatloaf

For each whole egg called for, whisk 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl until it thickens. Use as an effective substitute for eggs in meatloaf recipes. Add a little flour if you need to thicken it further.

THE BOTTOM LINE: We recommend using heavy cream when breading foods if you cannot use eggs. CREAM IS BEST: If you can't use eggs, use heavy cream to hold breading in place.

But it's not an unusual choice, either, when you consider its parts: egg, oil, and a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice, all whisked or blended together. Because it's a stable emulsion, mayo serves as an excellent binder for meatballs. It easily slips into the role played by eggs and bread crumbs.