Parents and kids alike will enjoy these fun and delicious porcupine meatballs with easy pan gravy. With only a few naturally gluten-free ingredients, they’re an allergy-friendly meal the whole family will love!
Kid-friendly = mom win.
No porcupines were harmed. . .
Gluten-Free Porcupine Meatballs.
Family favorite meals.
- Spaghetti Squash Pizza Casserole
- Easy Beef & Kale Soup in the Instant Pot
- Creamy, Dairy-Free Mac ‘N Cheese
- Homemade, Grain-Free Mini Pizzas
- Sloppy Joe Baked Potatoes
- Vegetarian Black Bean Burrito Bowls
- Instant Pot Fried Rice or Quinoa
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Gluten-Free Porcupine Meatballs with Easy Pan Gravy
Free from gluten, eggs, dairy, and sugar.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 to 1 1/2 pounds organic/grass-fed ground beef
- 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain rice (like basmati or jasmine)
- 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 cup tomato sauce (optional, or 1 cup more water or stock)
- 1 cup beef broth or water
Gravy:
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot or tapioca starch (or whatever gluten-free flour you like)
- 1/2 cups + water
- 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
Heat oil or butter over medium flame in a large, deep-sided frying pan that has a lid or in the liner of an Instant Pot.
In a large bowl, combine beef, rice, salt, pepper, seasoning, and garlic. Shape into small balls and gently brown in the heated oil.
Remove browned meatballs from the pan and set aside.
Pour in 1 cup of water and deglaze the goodness on the bottom of the pan/liner.
Add back in the meatballs and tomato sauce or 1 cup more water and cover securely.
Stove top:
Cook 30 minutes over medium-low heat. If your meatballs are very large, you may need more time.
When the meatballs are cooked remove them from the pan and set aside in a serving dish.
Instant Pot:
Seal the vent, press ‘manual,’ and set the timer for 10 minutes. If your meatballs are very large, you may need more time.
When the timer goes off, quick release the vent, open the lid and remove the meatballs to a serving dish.
Gravy:
Whisk together starch and 1/2 cup water. Pour the starch mixture into the same pan/liner you cooked the meatballs in. Stir until mixture begins to thicken. You may need to turn the heat back on medium/low.
Add in seasoning and more water, if desired.
Serve gravy over meatballs.
NOTES
Makes about 6 servings.
I make porcupine meatballs too! We use tomato soup or bbq sauce for the sauce and then I bake it instead of cooking it on the stove.
Oooh, bbq sauce sounds like it would be a tasty addition! 🙂
Ahhh!! The porcupine meatballs….know them all too well. They are kinda perfect for tonight’s dinner. 🙂
Haha! Glad to know another porcupine-meatball-lover. 😉
Hi Raia,
My Mother used to make us these when we were kids and the whole family loved them. I started making them after I got married and my husband loved them. Thanks for sharing such a tasty recipe that gave me such fond memories of my childhood. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Have a healthy happy blessed Christmas & holiday season. Pinned & tweeted.
Glad to share, Marla! It is such a fun recipe. I’m glad it brings back fond memories for you, as well. 🙂
well not just the kids loved these!! We all did! I usually have made mine Asian style….this was a great version too! Thanks for a fun dinner Raia, it will be made again!
Yay! So glad you all enjoyed them, Tessa! 🙂 I think I like them as much as my kids do, too… 😉
This looks delicious and simple to make! I can’t wait to try it out.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy them as much as my family does! 🙂
I love the name for these. Better yet, I love the ingredients and can’t wait to try!
Haha! Thanks, Kelly! I hope you get to enjoy them!