Low Sodium Meatballs Recipe (No Salt Added) (2024)

This low sodium meatballs recipe is a delicious and easy dinner, loaded with lean ground beef, garlic, herbs, and spices – with no added salt! They are savory, flavorful, and totally decadent – the perfect addition to your next pasta night.

I added a few low sodium swaps in this recipe (low so Worcestershire sauce & low so breadcrumbs) which gives these a really nice flavor. Simmer in a pot of low sodium tomato sauce & serve with spaghetti and low sodium garlic bread for a perfect meal.

Low Sodium Meatballs Recipe (No Salt Added) (1)

If you’re looking for a little something to add to your next pasta night, look no further than these low sodium meatballs! These meatballs were ‘next level’ good – my husband gave them rave reviews and a full 10/10! These are definitely going in our permanent monthly dinner rotation.

I mixed together lean ground beef (I like using 95% lean ground sirloin), low sodium Panko breadcrumbs, fresh chopped garlic, herbs and spices, and Worcestershire sauce to make this amazing recipe. I slow-simmered them in a salt-free tomato sauce for 1 hour before serving, but I have also included instructions below if you want to bake them in the oven instead without sauce. Either way, these are a fantastic recipe to enjoy on a low salt diet.

These Low Sodium Meatballs Are

  • Tasty
  • Garlicky
  • Herby
  • Savory
  • Easy to Make
  • Great for Spaghetti Night!
  • Made Without Added Salt

Low Sodium Meatballs Recipe (No Salt Added) (2)

One of the Best Low Sodium Ground Beef Recipes

These meatballs are a great recipe to make if you are looking for a low salt recipe to make with ground beef. They’re hearty, filling, easy to make, and have a lot of great flavor.

You can use any ground beef for this recipe, but we always use 95% lean ground sirloin, which I like because it has less fat. Make sure to read the labels on your ground beef before buying, and stay away from ground beef that has added salt or preservatives which can increase the sodium content.

From burgers, to meatballs, to chili – check out all of our low sodium ground beef recipes for some weeknight dinner inspiration!

What’s In These Low Salt Meatballs?

I love shopping for fresh produce through Misfits Market – they sell groceries, healthy pantry staples, and fantastic food finds (like meat and dairy) at a discounted price. Choose what goes into the box, save up to 40% off grocery store prices & save time with free delivery to your door!

  • Lean Ground Beef – again, I used ground sirloin for this, as I prefer the leanest beef for the meatballs.
  • Eggs – Eggs naturally contain about 60-70mg of sodium per large egg. We try to get cage free / free range eggs when we can. There isn’t any nutritional difference, but I always try to support animal welfare when I can!
  • Low sodium panko breadcrumbs – I found these recently at my Whole Foods and I am obsessed! It can be so hard to find low sodium breadcrumbs that aren’t seasoned, and for 40mg of sodium per half cup, these breadcrumbs are a great low so option!
  • Fresh Garlic
  • Fresh Parsley
  • Low Sodium Worcestershire Sauce: for that unbelievably tangy umami flavor that bring the classic taste to these burgers! I love using this low sodium Worcestershire sauce in all kinds of recipes, at only 45mg sodium per serving, a little goes a long way on flavor.
  • Italian Seasoning Blend: usually has thyme, basil, rosemary, parsley, etc. Make sure you get a no-salt-added variety like this one!
  • Onion Powder: adds a delicious and savory flavor to this dish as well, and the onion powder pairs nicely with the onion.
  • Brown Sugar
  • Chili Flakes – I like to add these for a little heat, but optional if you want to omit the spiciness.

Low Sodium Meatballs Recipe (No Salt Added) (3)

How Do I Make Meatballs Without Salt?

  1. In a large boxing bowl, add all ingredients and mix well with a. Wooden spoon or your hands until the mixture is well combined.
  2. Take 2 tablespoons or so of the mixture, roll it into a ball, and place on a plate. Repeat until all the meatballs are formed.
  3. To cook in sauce- bring a lot of low sodium tomato sauce to a simmer, submerge the meatballs in the sauce, and cook on low heat for 1 hour until meatballs are cooked through.
  4. To bake – heat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Add the meatballs to a sheet pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through. Toss with sauce or enjoy with pasta.

I also put together a quick video here of the process on my YouTube channel!

Low Sodium Dinner Recipes The Family Will Love

This yummy meatballs recipe is low in sodium and couldn’t be easier to make! Low Sodium cooking does NOT have to be bland, boring, or flavorless… It’s quite the opposite when done right. By building meals around salt free pantry staples and swapping a few ingredients you can make healthier meals for you and your family.

These salt-free dinners are healthier versions of classics that everyone will love. You can browse all our low sodium dinner recipes. Find your next family favorite!

Low Sodium Meatballs Recipe (No Salt Added) (4)

More Low Sodium Beef Recipes You’ll Love!

Low Sodium Burger Patties Recipe

Low Sodium Chili Recipe (No Salt Added)

Hearty Low Sodium Meat Sauce for Pasta Recipe (No Salt Added)

Low Sodium Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (No Salt Added)

Low Sodium Sloppy Joes Recipe (No Salt Added)

Get the Same Ingredients for this Low Sodium Meatballs Recipe

If you make this low sodium meatball recipe be sure to rate this recipe below, leave a comment, and tag us on Instagram or Facebook.

And please feel free to share with your Facebook groups or friends!

Let’s keep in touch – don’t forget to follow over on Instagram, Facebook, & my Youtube channel for more amazing low sodium recipes – I’d love to connect with you there!

Low Sodium Meatballs Recipe (No Salt Added) (5)

Low Sodium Meatballs

AuthorAuthor Low Sodium Meatballs Recipe (No Salt Added) (6)Kelly Jensen

This low sodium meatballs recipe is a delicious and easy dinner, loaded with lean ground beef, garlic, herbs, and spices - with no added salt! They are savory, flavorful, and totally decadent - the perfect addition to your next pasta night.

5 from 11 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course dinner

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 18 meatballs

Calories 72 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl

  • Wooden Spoon

  • Large Pot or Baking Sheet

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs lean ground beef I used 95% lean
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup low sodium panko breadcrumbs
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tablespoon low sodium Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning salt free
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder salt free
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • Pinch red chili flakes optional

Instructions

  • In a large boxing bowl, add all ingredients and mix well with a. Wooden spoon or your hands until the mixture is well combined.

  • Take 2 tablespoons or so of the mixture, roll it into a ball, and place on a plate. Repeat until all the meatballs are formed.

  • To cook in sauce- bring a lot of low sodium tomato sauce to a simmer, submerge the meatballs in the sauce, and cook on low heat for 1 hour until meatballs are cooked through.

  • To bake - heat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Add the meatballs to a sheet pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through. Toss with sauce or enjoy with pasta.

Video

Notes

Serving Size

The serving size for this recipe is for 1 meatball. The recipe makes about 18 meatballs total, so it is for 1/18th of the full recipe. However, it may vary slightly due to different ingredients you use, so always calculate the amount of sodium you are using at home.

Nutrition

Calories: 72kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 9gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 42mgPotassium: 168mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 172IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

*Please note, all nutrition content is estimated based on the ingredients we used, it may vary based on your ingredients. Always check your nutrition labels to verify sodium amounts.

Keyword low salt meatballs, low sodium beef recipes, low sodium dinner ideas, low sodium ground beef recipes, low sodium meatballs, no salt added meatballs

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Low Sodium Meatballs Recipe (No Salt Added) (2024)

FAQs

How to reduce salt in meatballs? ›

Add an Acidic Ingredient

It won't reduce the sodium level of your dish, but adding an acidic ingredient, such as lemon juice, vinegar, or even a tomato product, can neutralize the saltiness of a dish.

Do meatballs need salt? ›

Making great meatballs is all about memorizing a basic ratio that you can adjust to suit your taste. Start with a pound of ground meat — any kind will work, even fish if you want to take it in that direction. Add ½ cup bread crumbs for lightness, a teaspoon of salt, and an egg to bind it together. That's all you need.

Is there a lot of sodium in meatballs? ›

The favorite choice for the term "Meatballs" is 1 medium Beef Meatballs which has about 130 mg of sodium.

What's the secret to tender meatballs? ›

Egg and breadcrumbs are common mix-ins to add moisture and tenderness. Another binder option that people swear by is a panade, which is fresh or dry breadcrumbs that have been soaked in milk. “The soaked breadcrumbs help keep the proteins in the meat from shrinking,” as food writer Tara Holland explained in the Kitchn.

What is the trick to reduce salt in cooked food? ›

7 ways to remove excess salt from your dishes
  1. Raw potatoes. Add raw potato cubes in salty gravies. ...
  2. Rice balls. Make small rice powder balls and drop them in the curries. ...
  3. Fresh cream. Fresh cream can neutralise the saltiness in dishes. ...
  4. Curd. ...
  5. Milk. ...
  6. Onion. ...
  7. Vinegar and sugar.
Sep 17, 2022

How do you reduce sodium in meat? ›

Pick fresh and frozen poultry that hasn't been injected with a sodium solution. Check the fine print on the packaging for terms like “broth,” “saline” or “sodium solution.” Sodium levels in unseasoned fresh meats are around 100 milligrams or less per 4-ounce serving.

How do you make meat taste good without salt? ›

Try different types of pepper, including black, white, green, and red. Experiment with vinegars (white and red wine, rice wine, balsamic, and others). For the most flavor, add it at the end of cooking time. Toasted sesame oil adds a savory flavor without added salt.

How do you season meat without salt? ›

What seasonings can be used in place of salt that will still add flavor to foods?
  1. Bay leaf.
  2. Cumin.
  3. Curry.
  4. Dill.
  5. Dry mustard.
  6. Green pepper.
  7. Lemon juice.
  8. Marjoram.

What not to do when making meatballs? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Meatballs
  1. Not seasoning the meat.
  2. Not adding any moisture to the meat.
  3. Over-mixing the meat.
  4. Not shaping the meatballs correctly.
  5. Not forming evenly-sized meatballs.
May 1, 2019

What is the lowest sodium meat to eat? ›

Chicken or turkey breast without skin or marinade. Lean cuts of beef or pork. Unsalted nuts and seeds. Dried beans, peas, and lentils — like black beans and garbanzo beans (chickpeas)

Can you get enough sodium from meat? ›

Meat. Fresh beef, pork, poultry and seafood is generally very low in sodium, but lunch meats can have 400 mg or more per slice and even frozen meats are often soaked in a salt brine to retain moisture through the freezing process.

Does ground beef have a lot of sodium? ›

Ground beef is naturally low in sodium with about 75mg sodium per 4-oz. serving (3). But it's misleading to compare the Impossible Burger to unseasoned beef because beef is rarely eaten unseasoned. Hamburger recipes typically call for seasoning the beef with salt.

What does adding milk to meatballs do? ›

Milk: Milk adds moisture, ensuring the meatballs don't dry out during the cooking process. Onion: An onion lends bold flavor. Meat: You'll need a pound of ground beef and a pound of ground pork. Egg: An egg adds moisture and helps bind the meatballs together.

Why do you put baking soda in meatballs? ›

Baking Soda is an Easy Meat Tenderizer

Baking soda helps prevent ground beef from drying out, allowing those burger patties to keep their moisture and brown quicker for the most flavorful cookout.

Is it better to use milk or water in meatballs? ›

While water and broth may keep the meatballs moist throughout the cooking process, milk's extra fat and luscious consistency add an unmatched level of complexity to any classic meatball recipe.

How do you reduce salt in cooked ground beef? ›

How do you fix salty meat after cooking? Add lemon juice, unsalted tomatoes or another type of acid like vinegar. Acid balances salt. If you don't like the acidity, add spice or something sweet like mango or raisins.

How to fix something too salty? ›

Adding an acid, like lemon juice, can balance an abundance of salty flavor in food, but be careful of adding too much and destroying flavors. “You can add something acidic, such as lemon juice, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, or processed tomato products to foods to reduce the salty flavor,” says Edwards.

How to counteract eating too much salt? ›

First, make sure you drink sufficient amounts of water to help your body regain its desired sodium-to-water ratio ( 2 , 7 ). You can also try eating foods that are rich in potassium, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and dairy.

Does adding a raw potato absorb salt? ›

Potatoes won't work to remove the salt, but adding extra unsalted ingredients might better distribute the salt or counteract the saltiness. Add extra veggies (yes, including potatoes), rinsed low-sodium beans or cooked unsalted rice.

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