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    You are here: Home / Entrees / 13 Amazing Vegan Meatball Recipes

    LAST UPDATED: May 8, 2020 • FIRST PUBLISHED: May 8, 2020

    13 Amazing Vegan Meatball Recipes

    Collage Showing 6 Vegan Meatball Dishes with the Text "Vegan Meatball Recipes"

    Satisfy your cravings, with this collection of 13 delicious recipes for vegan meatballs! Everything from Swedish meatballs in creamy sauce to classic Italian meatballs to teriyaki smothered tempeh meatballs.

    Collage Showing 6 Vegan Meatball Dishes with the Text "Vegan Meatball Recipes"

    I grew up in an Italian family, so I hold my meatballs to a high standard! And I have to say, store bought vegan meatballs are not very good. I haven't found one yet that I like.

    But I stopped buying them. Why? Because homemade vegan meatballs are awesome! And there are so many ways to make them. I've created quite a collection over the years, and I have no plans on stopping.

    Vegan Meatball Ingredients

    Skillet Filled With Lentil Meatballs Just Out of the Oven

    The Main Ingredient

    I start nearly all of my vegan meatball recipes with a sturdy, meaty, plant-based ingredient, like tofu, tempeh, or beans! The main ingredient should be hearty, have a nice texture, and a bit of moisture to it, so it can be mashed up, combined with other ingredients, and formed into balls.

    Binding

    You'll usually need to add something starchy or sticky to give your meatballs structure and help them hold together. Breadcrumbs, oats, and different types of flours all work well.

    Seasonings

    I always include some aromatics, such as garlic, onions, and ginger in my veggie balls. In addition to these, I'll also choose between liquid seasonings like soy sauce and hot sauce, as well as dried spices like oregano, paprika, and cumin.

    Sauce

    You can't have meatballs without sauce! Marinara sauce works great for Italian-style meatballs, but also consider creamy sauces, Asian-inspired stir-fry sauces, and spicy sauces.

    How to Make Vegan Meatballs

    Mix up your ingredients! I like to use a food processor, but you can also mash your mixture up by hand using a potato masher. Either way, be careful not to overdo it! Nobody likes mushy meatballs.

    Vegan Meatball Mix Before and After Blending in a Food Processor

    Roll your mixture into balls and bake them up! Unlike conventional meatballs, most vegan meatballs will fall apart if you cook them in sauce. You're better off lightly oiling and then baking them.

    Side By Side Images Showing: Hand Rolling a Vegan Meatball, and Brush Spreading Oil on a Vegan Metaball

    Vegan Meatball Recipes

    Here are a few of my favorites to try!

    Cannellini Bean & Broccoli Rabe Meatballs

    Bowl of Cannellini Bean & Broccoli Rabe Meatballs over Spaghetti

    Bitter greens add a delicious bite to these Italian-style beanballs! Perfect with a plate of pasta.

    Read More

     

    Ginger-Glazed Tofu Meatballs

    Pair of Chopsticks Grabbing a Tofu Meatball from a Bowl

    I promise, you'd never guess that these balls were made from tofu! Serve them as a meal with a side of rice, or as fun party appetizers that will really wow your guests.

    Read More

     

    Vegan Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Mushroom Gravy

    Plate of Vegan Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Mushroom Gravy with a Fork

    These savory chickpea balls are perfect when you're craving a hearty comfort food meal.

    Read More

     

    Vegan Tortas de Albondigas

    Hand Grabbing a Half of A Vegan Mexican Meatball Sub on a Plate

    Meatball sandwiches are good, but these Mexican-inspired meatball subs are amazing! Made with spicy black bean meatballs in smoky chipotle sauce.

    Read More

     

    Firecracker Chickpea Meatballs

    Firecracker Chickpea Meatballs in a Skillet with Wooden Spoon

    Bring on the heat! These vegan meatballs are smothered in a knock-your-socks-off spicy sauce. Perfect for stuffing in sandwiches or game-day snacking!

    Read More

     

    Vegan Moroccan Meatball Stew

    Bowl of Vegan Moroccan Meatball Stew and Couscous with Fork and Water Glass

    Beanballs are served in a spicy tomato stew over couscous to make this delicious meal! Perfect for special dinners.

    Read More

     

    Eggplant Meatballs

    Plate of Eggplant Meatballs and Pasta Topped with Parsley

    Do you love eggplant Parm? Well, then these are the meatballs for you! Made with tender sautéed eggplant, they're amazing topped with homemade marinara sauce.

    Read More

     

    Teriyaki Tempeh Meatballs

    Plate of Teriyaki Tempeh Meatballs with Skillet and Wooden Spoon in the Background

    Tempeh's meaty texture makes it the a perfect base for hearty protein-packed vegan meatballs, and sweet teriyaki sauce is the perfect topping for this batch of tempeh balls.

    Read More

     

    Vegan Swedish Meatballs

    Bowl of Vegan Sweedish Meatballs & Noodles with Fork

    These comforting vegan meatballs are made with beans and savory mushrooms, then smothered in a luscious creamy sauce that you'd never guess was dairy free!

    Read More

     

    Quinoa Meatball Subs

    Two Halves of a Quinoa Meatball Sub on a Plate with Water Glass in the Background

    Quinoa gives a hearty texture to these Italian-style veggie balls that are perfect for stuffing in sandwiches.

    Read More

     

    Vegan German Meatballs

    Table Set with Bowl of Vegan German Meatballs & Cabbage, Silverware, Napkin, Glass of Beer and a Skillet of Cabbage

    These tofu balls are served over cabbage in creamy mustard sauce. The perfect meal for enjoying with a cold beer!

    Read More

     

    Italian-Style Lentil Meatballs

    Bowl of Lentil Meatballs and Tomato Sauce with Water Glass in the Background

    Lentils give amazing texture and savory flavor to these hearty meatless balls.

    Read More

     

    Vegan Meatball Banh Mi

    Close Up of a Vegan Meatball Banh Mi on a Plate with Drinking Glass in the Background

    If you're a fan of the classic banh mi sandwich, then you need to try this vegan version! Made with bean and nut-based balls that are smothered in hoisin sauce and stuffed into rolls with zippy picked veggies.

    Read More

     

    Like this post? If so, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram, or subscribe to my newsletter. And please stop back and leave me a review and rating below if you make any of the recipes!

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    About Alissa Saenz

    Hi, I'm Alissa! I'm a former attorney turned professional food blogger. I love creating vegan recipes with bold flavors! You can read more about me here.

    I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

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    Hi, I'm Alissa! I'm a former attorney turned professional food blogger. I love creating vegan recipes with bold flavors!

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