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Low Carb Turkey Meatballs & Gravy

Juicy low-carb turkey meatballs simmered in a savory gravy that delivers all the comfort without the breadcrumbs. Easy, satisfying, and perfect for weeknight dinners or make-ahead meals.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 351kcal

Equipment

  • Large deep skillet
  • Medium ice cream scooper (optional)

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • ½ onion finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese finely grated
  • 2 oz pancetta uncured, diced small
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • ½ cup fresh mint leaves minced
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon ground mustard
  • 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper

Meatball gravy

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese shredded
  • 2 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • teaspoon coconut aminos
  • teaspoon salt or to taste
  • teaspoon cayene pepper optional

For frying

  • olive oil

Instructions

Make the meatballs

  • In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, almond flour, finely diced onion, minced garlic, egg, Parmesan cheese, pancetta, fresh mint, cumin, ground mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Do not overwork.
    1 lb ground turkey, ½ onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 egg, ½ cup parmesan cheese, 2 oz pancetta, ½ cup almond flour, ½ cup fresh mint leaves, 2 tablespoons ground cumin, 1 tablespoon ground mustard, 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
  • Scoop and shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs. Place on a baking sheet. If the mixture feels soft, refrigerate for 15–30 minutes to firm up.
  • Heat 2–3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2–3 minutes total. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. The meatballs do not need to be fully cooked.
    olive oil
  • Carefully discard any excess olive oil from the skillet and melt the butter over medium heat.
    2 tablespoons butter
  • Add the diced onion and a pinch of salt. Sauté until translucent, 1–2 minutes, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
    1 onion
  • Add the chicken stock, Dijon mustard, ground mustard, nutmeg, cayenne (if using), coconut aminos, and salt. Stir to combine.
    Add the Parmesan cheese and heavy cream. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    sea salt, 3 cups chicken stock, ¼ cup heavy cream, 1 cup parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons ground mustard, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1½ teaspoon coconut aminos, 1½ teaspoon salt, ⅓ teaspoon cayene pepper, freshly ground pepper
  • Return the meatballs to the pan. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has slightly thickened.
    Remove from heat and serve warm.

Notes

  • Low-Carb Binding: These turkey meatballs are made without breadcrumbs. Almond flour, Parmesan cheese, and egg act as binders and keep the meatballs tender. If the mixture feels soft, chill for 15–30 minutes before frying.
  • Keto Option: For keto-friendly meatballs, omit the almond flour and use a keto-approved chicken stock. Chilling the meatballs before cooking helps them hold their shape.
  • Dairy-Free Gravy (Not Low Carb): To make a dairy-free gravy, replace the butter with olive oil, use vegetable stock, and thicken lightly with all-purpose flour or a gluten-free flour blend. This version is not low carb or keto.
  • Cheese Substitutions: Use hard cheeses only (Parmesan, pecorino, kefalotyri). Soft cheeses do not bind well and are not recommended.
  • Make Ahead & Freezing: Cooked meatballs can be cooled completely and frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in sauce.
Nutritional Info – Please remember that the nutritional information provided is only an estimate and can vary based on the products used.

Nutrition

Serving: 4meatballs | Calories: 351kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 1576mg | Potassium: 279mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 684IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 376mg | Iron: 3mg