Just wanted to let you know that these gluten free whole30 paleo turkey meatballs are sponsored by my friends over at Hammons Black Walnuts!
These healthy turkey meatballs are simmered in coconut milk basil pesto cream sauce for an easy, weeknight meal that will please even picky eaters!
PIN Gluten Free Whole30 Paleo Turkey Meatballs
This one goes out to all my friends who:
- Like to feel VRY VRY fancy
- But also REALLY like to just hang out inside, in their pajamas
I get you. The struggle is REAL.
But these paleo meatballs, with their lusciously smooth, flavor-packed, VIBRANTLY fresh BLACK WALNUT basil pesto CREAM SAUCE and ZOODLES?
Feels like an ULTRA fancy restaurant meal but- PSYCH – you get to eat it in the COMFORT of your pajamas. Aint no one gonna care if you slurp up those zoodles, causing creamy pesto goodness to splatter ALL over your face.
You just do you my internet BFF. Nooooo judgement.
Not that I could judge anyway. Mr. FFF always comes home and asks me “will I ever find you NOT covered in some sort of food?”
#FoodBloggerLifeYO
But, back to the whole30 turkey paleo meatballs situation because they’re going to save your real life “what am I going to make for dinner that tastes good, and is as easy as a sandwich, but doesn’t taste like a sandwich, because I am craving something more exciting” kind life on MORE than one occasion.
Don’t lie. I know you’ve had that VERY conversation in your head too.
Just going to walk you through the dinner scenario at hand because it is a TASTY ONE.
[click_to_tweet tweet=”Even if you’re not doing #whole30, you’ll love these #paleo basil @blackwalnut pesto turkey meatballs! ” quote=”Even if you’re not doing #whole30, you’ll love these #paleo basil @blackwalnut pesto turkey meatballs! ” theme=”style2″]It starts with the easiest gluten free turkey meatballs that are made of simple, panty-essential kind of ingredients. Even though these whole30 turkey meatballs have an ingredient list that seems a little “HOO-HUM” once you put ‘em in your mouth, you’re gonna be liiike “OH YUM.”
I mean. Fresh basil! Zesty lemon! Juicy turkey! All the makings of meatballs success are HERE.
Whole 30 meatballs are great but creamy, herb-y, zesty sauce? IT IS BETTER.
Boy oh boy oh boooooy, your taste buds are really just in for a TREAT.
The classic basil pesto is getting a VRY VRY flavorful upgrade with the addition of Hammons Black Walnuts!
They’ve added their robust flavor to Harvest paleo vegan stuffed sweet potatoes, vegan gluten free brownie cookies and chocolate chip keto low carb muffins and now these INTENSELY flavorful little powerhouse of a tree nut are shimmying all up into pesto’s business, only to leave you wondering why we haven’t ALWAYS made pesto with them.
You don’t know what you don’t know, I guess.
But, internet friends, we are now IN THE KNOW, so let’s never go back to black walnut-less pesto.
Aside from a depth of flavor like no other, black walnuts add a triple threat of heart-healthy Omega-3s, Magnesium and plant protein (the most of any tree nut!)
Their unique, complex flavor is brightened up by bursts of punchy, fresh lemon, vibrant basil and a little steamy-stove-time with creamy, rich coconut milk to create the most luscious pesto cream sauce that your taste buds will hardly believe came out of YOUR very own kitchen.
Told ya.
Just gonna be pressin’ rep-EAT on Gluten Free whole30 paleo turkey meatballs over and over and overrrr.
Do not blame you ONE BITE.
Err, bit.
Other Recipes You Might Like:
Whole30 Sweet and Sour Paleo Meatballs
Zucchini Noodles with Everything Pesto and Fried Eggs
Indian Salmon Curry Zucchini Noodles
Low carb buffalo chicken meatballs
Gluten Free Whole30 Paleo Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 Lb 85% Lean ground turkey
- 1 Egg
- 1/4 Cup Fresh basil, sliced + additional for garnish
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp Fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Lemon zest, packed
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 4 tsp Coconut flour
- 1/2 Cup Reduced sodium chicken broth
- 4 Small zucchinis, spiralized with blade D
For the sauce:
- 1/3 Cup Hammons Black Walnuts
- 2 1/4 Cups Fresh basil, very tightly packed (35g)
- 2 Tbsp Fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp Lemon zest
- 1 tsp Fresh garlic, minced
- 3/4 tsp Sea salt
- 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive oil
- 6 Tbsp Full fat coconut milk
- 6 Tbsp Reduced sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together all of the meatball ingredients up to the coconut flour until well mixed. Add in the coconut flour and stir until well mixed. Form into 20 lightly heaping Tbsp sized balls (I used a cookie scoop.)
- Heat a large, non-stick pan (or 2 mediums pans) over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on each side - about 1 minute per side- until golden brown. Add in the chicken broth, reduce the heat to medium/low and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are cooked and have absorbed the broth, about 8-11 minutes.
- While the meatballs cook, add the black walnuts into a SMALL food processor (mine is 3 cups) and process until broken down. Add all the remaining ingredients up to the olive oil and pulse until broken down and combined.
- With the food processor running, stream in the olive oil until well mixed.
- In a large, high-sided frying pan, combine the coconut milk and chicken broth on medium/high heat. Bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, whisk in all of the pesto until well combined and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Then, reduce the heat to medium/low and simmer for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken up.
- Heat a dry frying pan on medium high heat and cook the zucchini noodles until they just begin to soften, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a layer of paper towel and lightly press out the excess moisture. Divide between 4 bowls.
- Stir the meatballs into the sauce and serve over the zoodles, garnishing with fresh basil and a squeeze of lemon, if desired.
- DEVOUR!
Nutrition
THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY MY FRIENDS AT HAMMONS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO CONTINUE CREATING GREAT CONTENT FOR YOU BY SUPPORTING PARTNERSHIPS WITH SUPER-FAB BRANDS THAT FOOD FAITH FITNESS LOVES TO WORK WITH! AS ALWAYS, OPINIONS REMAIN 100% MY OWN!
Keep in touch with Hammons on social media for more delicious ideas: Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/ Pinterest
BUY HAMMONS ONLINE TO MAKE THESE GLUTEN FREE WHOLE30 PALEO TURKEY MEATBALLS AND USE THE PROMO CODE “FFF01” AT CHECKOUT TO GET 10% OFF YOUR ORDER! CLICK HERE TO SHOP!
WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PER SERVING: FREESTYLE POINTS: 11 POINTS+: 12. OLD POINTS: 11
(Per 1/4 of the recipe)
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Susan says
These look so good!
Do you have to use nuts? I am allergic to peanuts & all tree nuts & Black Walnut Trees.
Peanut allergies are the among the top allergies. So why are
there are so many restaurants who prepare their dishes & companies that package food & junk food items with Peanuts, other nuts, Peanut Oil or Paste? It makes it difficult for people to eat out & to buy packaged foods.
Taylor Kiser says
I’m sorry Susan! You can TRY without nuts but I really can’t tell you how it will taste/work as I haven’t tried! Let us know if you do!
Puravida says
While I empathize with those who are allergic to nuts, BILLIONS of people across the planet are not allergic to them and enjoy nuts for their wonderful flavors and nutritional value. Restaurants are businesses and typically develop their menus to appeal to as many diners as possible. Menus are often notated when specific dishes include ingredients that may be of concern for those with specific sensitivities, but a diner with allergies should always ask their server if there are questions. We should all be aware of the contents of our food, so if one’s diet contains prepackaged or “junk” food, it is imperative to read all nutritional labeling and ingredient listings. Best of luck to you.
Tisha says
These meatballs looks incredible!!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you!
Cliona Keane says
The sauce on these turkey meatballs looks to die for! It’s such a creative way to enjoy them and the meatballs themselves sound divine!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you Cliona!
Dannii says
Oooh, I love making pesto with different types of nut. This looks delicious!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you Dannii!
Emmeline says
Those look YUMMY! Hard to believe they’re good for you as well!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much!
thewimpyvegetarian says
I make turkey meatballs all the time, and have been looking for ways to jazz them up a bit! This is perfect!!! Thanks for this fabulous idea!
Taylor Kiser says
You’re so welcome! Thanks!
Isabella says
I have been looking for an awesome gluten free meatball recipe for SO LONG! I just found it! These look so delicious!
Taylor Kiser says
Yay! I’m so glad! Thanks!
Marissa says
I tried these tonight and they were awful! My husband almost threw up and I could only eat one bite. Think twice before trying this!
Taylor Kiser says
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy them Marissa. We love them but everyone has different taste!
Carmen says
Hi, looks amazing! Can you use normal walnuts as I can’t get black walnuts in Australia? Thanks
Taylor Kiser says
PROBABLY, but it won’t have the same flavor! You can also buy Black Walnuts online! Theres a link at the bottom of the post!
Thomas BLG says
I usually see meatballs done with tomato sauce.
Glad to see a different version of them!!
I would definitely try these
Taylor Kiser says
I hope you love them!
Brenda says
That’s one of the most beautiful skillets of meatballs ever. LOVE how you used walnuts for the pesto!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you Brenda!
Pam Greer says
I love how fancy these are, but also how easy! Those black walnuts really put it over the top!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you Pam!
Anita says
I have never tried black walnuts before, the meatballs looks super delicious, maybe I’ll try with regular walnuts instead. 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
I hope you love it!
Julie Carlyle says
Ohh that looks so good, I just love the picture too.
I have bookmarked to make later.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Julie
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you Julie! I hope you love!
Valentina says
Wowza, this looks amazing! Your photos are stunning. I love dishes like this with coconut milk — it adds such a wonderful creaminess.
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much!!
Chichi says
This recipe looks so fresh and healthy. Will work well for st Patrick’s day lunch or dinner. Can’t wait to make it. Yum!
Taylor Kiser says
Hope you love it!!