This delicious low sodium meatballs and gravy meal is an easy way to enjoy a savory classic comfort food. Filled with lots of spices and flavor the sodium is not missed at all. This also makes an excellent base recipe for many other recipes like spaghetti and meatballs to the quintessential meatball sandwich.
LOW SODIUM MEATBALLS AND GRAVY
Sodium Total 714 mg – Sodium / Serving 119 mg – Calories / Serving 282
Information for meatballs and gravy only
Most meatball and gravy recipes are pushing 700+mg of sodium per serving. Like usual I like to try and get a whole meal at the very least below 250 mg. The great thing about meatballs, and meatloaf too, is it’s so easy to add so many different flavors without missing the sodium. So don’t be afraid to test lots of new flavors that may be out of your comfort zone, including these spiced meatballs.
With these tender and juicy insides perfectly browned little nuggets it’s amazing how many different ways there are to serve up meatballs. But one of my favorites is when they’re smothered in rich savory gravy that’s so good. With this recipe I served them on Spaetzle, which is a German egg noodle, primarily because I wanted to use up an opened bag. All things considered though I think they pair best on slippery flat wide egg noodles. But any noodle or rice will work for amazing low sodium meatballs and gravy.
MAKING THE MEATBALLS
The key to these simple flavorful low sodium meatballs are the onions and just a few spices. By sautéing the onion in a bit of butter it brings out the flavor and cooks off some of that liquid that the onion holds. In addition to more flavor it avoids adding too much moisture in the meatball and making soggy meatballs.
These are meatballs not meatloaf, so I don’t use too much bread binder in my meatball recipes because it doesn’t add anything to the actual meaty part of its namesake. Since meatballs are usually combined with additional elements to the meal it should have a meaty taste. All you really need is just the egg and cornstarch called for.
Once the onions are cooled and mixed with the spices and meat then formed into balls you’ll sear them on a really hot skillet until all the sides nicely browned, which requires several turns. We are just browning the outside at this point not cooking through. This will hold all the juices inside the meatball, keeping it moist, while giving a hearty browning to the outside. They will cook all the way through when simmered in the gravy at the end, so don’t worry.
TIPS FOR YOUR LOW SODIUM MEATBALLS AND GRAVY
If you have time it’s best to let meat mixture rest in the fridge 30 min to overnight. This helps the flavors permeate the meat and the meatballs easier to form.
For me the perfect size meatball is one that you cut in half, when eating, making a mouth size bite while still allowing room on the fork for spaghetti or mashed potato to be devoured along with it!
Don’t wash the pan or scrape it yet after you’ve cooked the spiced meatballs. Dab or pour off any grease carefully. All those sticky bits on the pan equal lots of additional flavor for the gravy.
If need be cook the meatballs in batches and don’t overcrowd the pan. There will be too much steam and it’ll keep them from browning nicely because the liquid won’t be able to cook off as quickly.
MAKE EXTRA MEATBALLS
Double the recipe and serve them with egg noodles for your dinner and then again a couple of days later and rotate them in with a tomato based spaghetti or mashed potatoes. These make the perfect leftovers.
After making the meatballs you can freeze them or refrigerate 5-7 days. You can reheat the meatballs in the microwave, or they can also be reheated right in a pot of spaghetti sauce. The best thing about making them is that you can reach in the freezer, pull a few out for a meal or snack in literally a couple minutes.
Low Sodium Meatballs and Gravy
August 8, 2019Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup 2% milk
- 1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp yellow mustard dried
- 1 tsp black pepper, ground
- 3 Tbsp Olive oil cooking spray
For the Gravy
- 2 Tbsp butter no salt added
- 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour (add more if required)
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 1 1/2 cup beef broth no salt added
- 2 tsp Herb Ox beef bouillon no sodium granules
- 1 Tbsp pre-diced garlic
- pepper to taste
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg and milk together, then whisk in cornstarch, onion, yellow mustard, pepper, nutmeg, allspice and ginger. Add beef and mix well by hand.
- Form and roll into golf ball size meatballs. Mixture will be soft due to less binder. Don’t worry if balls flatten somewhat.
- Pre- heat a large iron skillet over medium high heat, coat the pan with olive oil spray and brown the meatballs. Don’t overcrowd and only do half at a time, for about 10 minutes or until all sides are nicely browned. Remove meatballs to paper towels to drain. Carefully drain off any excessive grease from the skillet retaining the flavor bits.
- For gravy, add butter to remaining drippings. Then stir and work in flour. Add no salt added beef broth, garlic, bouillon and milk. Bring to a low boil and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Return meatballs to skillet; heat through on low.
- Double the meatball recipe for extra leftover that can be frozen.
- Serve on noodles, rice or mashed potatoes.
Notes
I use, own and recommend these products and ingredients used in this recipe.
Amazon Links (Details>>)Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. Please understand that not everyone’s sodium and dietary requirements are the same, therefore some recipes may be higher than you’re allowed.
Details » https://tastyhealthyheartrecipes.com/main-dishes/entrees/low-sodium-meatballs-and-gravy/© 2024 Tasty Healthy Heart Recipes
Nutrition Information – The information shown is provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be substituted for a doctor’s or nutritionist’s advice. Please understand that not everyone’s sodium requirements are the same, therefore some recipes may be higher than you’re allowed. Always consult with your doctor for your recommended daily sodium allowance.
[su_box title=”A few other recipes you may like” box_color=”#a92224″]
- Low Sodium Pork Chops Carrots Smashed Potatoes N’ Gravy Instant Pot
- Best Low Sodium Saucy Garlic Chicken Over Noodles
- Low Sodium Deli-Style Roast Beef
- Savory Low Sodium Beef Tips and Gravy
[/su_box]
As always, please let me know how you like this recipe in the comments!
I get motivated when I hear from you and am interested to learn about how you liked and served your low sodium meatballs and gravy. And please leave a comment or rating and share any tips you might have.
This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Many thanks!
Very easy to make – i used pre-made meatballs that are low in sodium. I served it over wide noodles. Delish!!
Hi Roseanne,
What brand of meatballs did you use? I am all for easy cooking if I can fit it in my sodium “budget”.
Thanks for your comment.
Bill
They were fresh low sodium italian meatballs i bought from Kroger. Not sure of the brand. Find them somet in food lion.