VEGAN BBQ

MEATBALLS
+ POLENTA
SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • RECIPES -
DAIRY-FREE - GLUTEN-FREE -
LUNCH/DINNER -
VEGAN LUNCH/DINNER -
WEEKNIGHT MEALS

This recipe for Vegan BBQ

Meatballs with Creamy
Polenta is the perfect
family dinner that's vegan
and gluten-free but full of
flavor.

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HOME » RECIPES » VEGAN

LUNCH/DINNER » VEGAN BBQ
MEATBALLS + POLENTA

VEGAN BBQ
MEATBALLS +
POLENTA
This Vegan BBQ Meatballs +
Creamy Polenta recipe is loaded
with savory, sweet flavors. The
tender meatballs are made with
chickpeas, quinoa, pecans and
nutritional yeast for tons of flavor
in every bite. All vegan
ingredients. Gluten-free option.

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I've always loved meatballs.

They're such an easy way to
pack tons of flavor, spice,
sweetness or whatever you like
into a single perfect bite. And if
you're eating less meat or no
meat at all, you can have the
same delicious experience with
vegan ingredients too---
especially with these Vegan
BBQ Meatballs + Creamy
Polenta.

These vegan meatballs are

loaded with healthy plant-
based ingredients, including
spices and dried herbs, for a
cheesy, savory and slightly
sweet combination you'll love.
Paired with creamy, smooth
polenta, you have a well-
rounded vegan dinner the
whole family will enjoy----
adults and kids alike.

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If you have ever had Jamaican

curry, you know it's spicy!
Embrace the heat with
my Spicy Curry Vegan
Meatballs + Orzo, a tender
vegan meatball mixture
simmered in a sauce of hot
peppers, veggie stock, garlic,
and coconut milk. This is the
meatiest vegan dish on Earth!

How to Make Vegan

BBQ Meatballs +
Polenta
To make the meatballs, you'll
quickly sautéing onions and
garlic. Then, you'll add the
remaining ingredients until you
have a nice thick dough. I like to
use a scoop to shape evenly
sized meatballs, but you can
just as easily go by eyesight and
use your hands to shape the
cute little balls.

Then sear them until you have

a beautiful golden-brown crust
all over. Finally, top meatballs
with BBQ sauce and bake for a
few minutes.Serve with your
dreamy cornmeal polenta, and
dinner is ready!

INGREDIENT NOTES

Here are some notes to keep in

mind about these vegan
meatball ingredients:

Pecans. You can use another

soft nut like walnuts or
cashews if you prefer.
However, I find that pecans
add a wonderfully buttery
flavor to the dairy-free
meatballs.
Nutritional yeast. This is a
key vegan ingredient for
cheesy flavor. If you haven't
tried it yet, I strongly
recommend it!
Parsley, oregano, and basil.
These three Italian herbs
make a great trio. But if
you're missing one, you can
easily substitute it with more
of the other two spices.
BBQ sauce. Look for a vegan
bbq sauce if you like.
Otherwise, see the notes
below the recipe to make
your own easy vegan bbq
sauce to coat your
meatballs.

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Creamy Vegan
Polenta Ingredients
This polenta is totally dairy-
free but tastes just as creamy
and decadent as dairy-full
polenta. Plus, to reheat any
leftover polenta is rather easy
and is best done over the
stovetop while adding a bit of
water or milk until creamy and
smooth again.

Here's what you'll need to

make it:

Vegetable stock. You can

also use water if you're out
of stock, but you may need
to season your polenta a bit
more with salt.
Almond milk. You can use
any fave dairy-free milk you
like.
Polenta. Use organic corn for
the best flavor.
Vegan butter. I like Earth
Balance Vegan Buttery
Sticks for cooking and
baking.
Dairy-free mozzarella. I love
So Delicious Dairy-Free
cheese, which is coconut
based and tastes great.
Garlic powder and salt. For a
bit of flavor.

Homemade BBQ
Sauce
To make your own BBQ sauce
for these vegan meatballs is
rather simple and doesn't
require a lot. Here's what you'll
need:

1 (15 oz.) can of tomato

sauce
¾ cups water
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsps sriracha sauce
2 tsps ground mustard
⅓ cup agave syrup
2 Tbsps pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon red pepper
flakes
1 teaspoon smoked paprika

DIRECTIONS: Place all

ingredients in a medium
saucepan on medium-high heat
and whisk together until it
begins to boil. Reduce heat to
low-medium and let everything
simmer for about 15 minutes or
so, stirring occasionally. Once
thickened enough to desired
consistency, remove from heat
and let cool. Set aside until
ready to use or store remainder
in an airtight container and
refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

What You’ll Love

About These Vegan
BBQ Meatballs +
Polenta
It’s easy to make.

Full of flavor.

Ultra Creamy!

Minimal ingredients required.

Easy to store leftovers and re-

purpose.

The epitome of comfort food

for ANY season.

Did I mention absolutely

delicious?!

How to Store +
Reheat Vegan
Meatballs
Store any leftover meatballs in
an airtight container in the
fridge for 2 to 3 days.

You can also freeze the

meatballs for up to three
months. Defrost them
overnight in the fridge and
reheat them on the stove or in
the oven. Add some BBQ sauce
along with the vegan meatballs,
and assemble the dish to serve.

Other Serving
Suggestions for
Vegan Meatballs
You can have fun
experimenting with serving
your vegan chickpea meatballs
with other sauces and starches.
Instead of polenta, try gluten-
free or regular pasta. Mashed
potatoes or sweet potatoes are
also delicious!

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Instead of BBQ sauce, try one

of these other tasty sauce
ideas:

Vegan Vodka Sauce

Ranch Sauce
BBQ Jerk Sauce

What to Serve with

Creamy Polenta
This creamy polenta is a
complete meal on its own with
just a simple topping. And you
can serve it for breakfast, lunch
or dinner. If you'd like to add
more protein, you can swap the
vegan meatballs for Jerk
Chicken or Spicy Shrimp ---if
you aren't on a vegan diet.

For added veggies and

additional vegan options, top
your polenta with roasted
broccoli, cauliflower, other
beans, or brussels sprouts.

Adding Greens
If you want to add some greens
to these vegan bbq meatballs +
polenta, you certainly can. My
article, Our Top 12 Favorite
Healthy Green
Leafy Vegetables shares a list
of great greens! Off the top—-