BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatballs {Paleo, Whole30}

This delicious post is sponsored by Nature’s Intent Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and all opinions expressed are my own. Enjoy!

Tangy, smoky BBQ sauce and crispy bacon make these meatballs the tastiest you’ll ever eat! Kid approved and made with good-for-you ingredients, these BBQ bacon wrapped meatballs are paleo, Whole30 compliant, and downright addicting!

I’m shoulder-deep in football season right now with my hopeless sports-addict husband. Really, as I’m typing right now I have a house full of people, football and a whole lot of food.

Clearly I just outed myself as being completely antisocial since I’m blogging in the middle of all this, but, in my defense, it’s a “dads + kids” event over here. Meaning there is (thankfully) no place for me amidst the madness.

Unless, of course, I wanted to cook up, say, a paleo and Whole30 friendly fun-food like these BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatballs. I’m sure they’d invite me if I presented them with these, yes, indeed.

And, no one would ever guess they were actually made with clean ingredients, except for the fact that well, I have a reputation around here for the whole Paleo thing. But, otherwise, on taste alone – no way!

In all seriousness, Adam (aka sports-addict hubs) happens to be doing the Whole30 this month with me, and, is LOVING the fact that I’ve been focusing on football-friendly Whole30 fare.

As you might guess, it’s not terribly easy to turn down the usual beer, pizza, and wings in favor of a.) eating nothing (or sticking to raw veggies sans dip) or b.) eating a Whole30 Tupperware meal of sweet potatoes, ground beef, and kale. Hey, I’d never complain about the latter, but I do understand that people like finger foods for football games!

Anyway, back to the actual meatballs!  First, the “BBQ” part. Maybe the best part, and that’s saying a lot because meatballs + bacon.

Anyway, the BBQ sauce I used here is very similar to the one I used for my BBQ Chicken Pizza. Like I do with many of my Whole30 sauces, I turned to medjool dates to sweeten the sauce.

Date paste is absolutely wonderful for paleo friendly ketchup and as it turns out, it’s AWESOME in BBQ sauce too. Plus, you don’t even have to make the “paste” separately here – just throw the dates in the blender or food processor with the other ingredients until it’s nice and smooth.

The other “key” to my Whole30 BBQ sauce (well, besides tomato paste and sauce!) is apple cider vinegar – it gives the BBQ sauce that perfect “tang” that makes it truly addicting!

You guys probably already know I’m a big fan of using raw apple cider vinegar in many of my recipes, and, Nature’s Intent Organic Apple Cider Vinegar lives up to all my ACV standards.

It’s USDA organic, contains the mother, it’s unfiltered and unpasteurized, gluten-free and Kosher. It’s perfect for basically any use you can think of and it’s a great way to add flavor to Whole30 and Paleo sauces, dressings and dips.

As for the meatballs, they’re a simple quick blend of ground beef, sugar free pork sausage (or preferred ground meat) and Italian spices. They’re wrapped with Whole30 approved sugar-free bacon, baked, and then broiled to crisp up the bacon!

The BBQ sauce is brushed all over the meatballs twice for plenty of flavor, and the extra is served on the side as a dip. Really, it doesn’t get much better than this in Whole30 land!

I hope you’re excited for the ultimate “fun-food” – let’s make meatballs!

Paleo BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatballs {Whole30}

BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatballs {Paleo, Whole30}

Tangy, smoky BBQ sauce and crispy bacon make these meatballs the tastiest you’ll ever eat! Kid approved and made with good-for-you ingredients, these BBQ bacon wrapped meatballs are paleo, Whole30 compliant, and downright addicting!

Author: Michele Rosen

Course: Appetizer/lunch/dinner

Cuisine: Paleo, Whole30

Servings: 10

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Ingredients

For BBQ Sauce:

• 3 medjool dates pitted (and soaked if necessary*)
• 1/3 cup water
• 6 Tbsp Nature's Intent Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/2 tsp spicy brown mustard
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

For Meatballs:

• 1 lb grass fed ground beef
• 1/2 lb pork sausage sugar free for Whole30 (**or preferred ground meat
• 1 egg
• 3 Tbsp blanched almond flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning blend check for Whole30 compliance
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 10 slices nitrate free bacon sugar free for Whole30

Instructions

For the BBQ Sauce:

1. Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender, then transfer to a saucepan and bring to a boil, reduce heat and allow to simmer for as long as you want for desired thickness and flavor, mine simmered for about 30 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 of the sauce for brushing on meatballs and save the other half to serve with as a dip.

For the Meatballs:

1. While sauce simmers, prepare meatballs. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. You can top the aluminum with a wire rack if desired, this keeps the rendered fat away from the meatballs.
2. Mix all ingredients, except bacon, in a large bowl with your hand to combine well (don’t overwork the meat, though)
3. Roll into 20 balls (medium size meatballs, about 1 1/2”) and place either on the aluminum lined baking sheet or on the wire rack, if using.
4. Cut the bacon slices in half so you have 20 pieces, then carefully wrap each one around a meatballs, seam side down.
5. Bake in the preheated oven on the middle rack for 20 minutes, remove from oven and use a pastry brush (I like this one) to coat meatballs in BBQ sauce (using sauce reserved for meatballs)
6. Return to oven and bake another 10 minutes. Remove, and brush another thin coating of sauce over meatballs along with pan drippings, if desired.
7. Turn on your broiler to high heat, then place meatballs back in the oven under the broiler for another 5 minutes or so, or until bacon has cooked to preference. Depending on the thickness of your bacon, it may take more or less time for it to crisp up, so watch it carefully and use your discretion.
8. Remove from oven and brush with pan drippings/sauce if desired and serve hot with the leftover BBQ sauce on the side, or ranch dip, and garnish with chives. Enjoy!
9. Makes 20 medium meatballs.

Recipe Notes

*If dates are dry, soak in boiling water for 5 minutes to soften enough for blending. **You can use additional ground beef, pork, or any Whole30 compliant ground sausage you like.

Nutrition

Calories: 306kcal

Carbohydrates: 10g

Protein: 17g

Fat: 21g

Saturated Fat: 7g

Cholesterol: 78mg

Sodium: 501mg

Potassium: 471mg

Fiber: 1g

Sugar: 6g

Vitamin A: 400IU

Vitamin C: 3.4mg

Calcium: 35mg

Iron: 2.1mg

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Visit the Nature’s Intent website for more information, recipes and tips:
http://naturesintentvinegars.com/products/Organic-Apple-Cider-Vinegar

Want More Paleo and Whole30 Meatballs Recipes?  Try One of These!

Slow Cooker Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

Salisbury Steak Meatballs

Swedish Meatballs with Mashed Potatoes

Pumpkin Turkey Meatballs in Creamy Harvest Tomato Sauce

Turkey Meatballs with Apples and Herbs