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    Home » Mains

    Best Vegan Meatballs! (Impossible Burger)

    Updated: Jan 20, 2023 by Verna Rindler · This post may contain affiliate links · 52 Comments

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    vegan meatballs on a serving platter

    Vegan Meatballs! My vegetarian take on ground beef meatballs made with impossible meat! Juicy meaty won’t fall apart veggie balls that taste beyond DELICIOUS and no one will believe are vegan! Seriously the best plant based meatball recipe you will make and so EASY! 15 Minute prep time! Nut free, easily gluten free.

    vegan meatballs on a platter with a fork

    And there are no lentils, mushrooms, tofu, tempeh, beans, flax eggs or chickpeas needed!

    These vegan meatballs whip up in minutes just like the classic Italian recipe made with hamburger and then baked to perfection. and I’d say they’re Healthier, better for you and just as tasty!

    The perfect staple for any kitchen with Impossible meat as the main ingredient. Mmm spaghetti and meatballs with marinara & parmesan anyone… or Swedish meatballs, soups, casseroles, even for dippers and appetizers too! So versatile!

    This is one simple but exceptional meatless meatball recipe! And you’ll fool the hardiest of carnivores too! Not kidding! 

    Make ahead and freeze for a super quick and easy meal any weeknight! Just drop them frozen or thawed into your favourite jarred or homemade sauce, simmer and your good to go! It feeds a crowd so you might want to freeze half!

    meatballs marinara sauce and spaghetti noodles in a white bowl with a fork

    We’ve had impossible burger at our local Safeway in Canada for a couple of months now and I’m so glad I found it, I’m obsessed with this product! I’ve already made meatloaf (first time using and so incredible). I mean who knew vegan meat could taste so real!! 

    I cannot wait to make more impossible burger recipes- vegan tacos, meat sauce, oh Italian meatball soup, mmm and so much more! 

    These are better than any store bought variety you can buy like Gardein, Yyes, Trader joes, etc... and tastier than Ikea meatballs and convenient because you can make your own meat free meatball sandwich without leaving your house to go to subway! Yay!! Win Win! (I made some last night😋)

    So if you’ve been missing your Mom’s homemade meatballs and want to make an amazing vegan meal that will please and impress everyone, this is your recipe! Says me😊 Meat eaters won’t have a clue that it’s vegan!

    Wonderful to serve anytime of the year, October, January or even in the summer! Everyone will love and devour them!

    vegan meatballs on a platter

    Ingredients & substitutions for vegan meatballs:

    • Impossible Burger: this is the vegan ‘ground beef’. You can also use beyond meat or sausage.
    • Panko breadcrumbs and plant milk: mixed together this is the traditional way to add moisture to meatballs. Sometimes onions are added but I felt they were not needed. Can substitute veggie stock or water for plant milk. 
    • Vegan Worcestershire Sauce: adds amazing flavour and is common in some meatball recipes just make sure it’s vegan before purchasing. Here is a link to two of my favourite brands HERE & HERE. Could sub Braggs, Tamari or soya sauce regular or lite (I would use lite). I like recipe best as written tough!
    • Fresh garlic: a little goes a long way in this recipe but is so good!
    • Herbs and spices: fresh parsley, garlic, Italian seasoning, fennel, granulated onion and salt and pepper
    • Nutritional yeast: adds nice cheesy element (optional)
    • For gluten free: use gluten free Panko breadcrumbs

    How to make the best vegan meatballs: 

    This meatball recipe is so simple you won't believe it!

    1. Preheat oven to 425° Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
    2. In a small bowl mix together the breadcrumbs and vegan plant milk. Set aside.
    3. In a large mixing bowl add the rest of ingredients, Now add in the breadcrumb/milk mixture. Mix everything together well.
    4. Roll into balls about 1 and 1/2 tablespoons each. I use my small cookie scoop to measure. Place on prepared sheet pan and space evenly.
    5. Bake for 11 minutes. Enjoy with your favourite sauce (marinara or other), pasta and dairy free parmesan or serve as appetizers with dipping sauce! For full recipe ingredients and instructions see recipe card below.

    bread crumb milk mixture for meatballs in a bowl

    step by step photos how to make vegan meatballs

    How to freeze meatballs:

    • Once cooked and cooled, these meatballs can be frozen for quick meals on busy weekdays!  Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, transfer to a plastic freezer bag and keep them frozen for up to a couple of months.

    These meatless meatballs are:

    • juicy, meaty and amazing!
    • delicious!
    • versatile
    • protein rich
    • the best!
    • vegan!
    • perfect!
    • so EASY!!
    • savoury & satisfying
    • best comfort food
    • perfect pasta dish with spaghetti noodles and marinara any night of the week

    meatball being grabbed with a fork from dish

    Enjoy you guys! Happy Day! Please feel free to comment below and give this recipe a rating. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

    Follow me on PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM for more tasty Plant Based  & Vegan Recipes❤️

    Want more vegan meat recipes? Check these out:

    • Best Vegan Meatloaf
    • Vegan Steak Recipe (Seitan)
    • Crazy Good Vegan Shepherd’s Pie (AKA Cottage Pie)
    • Vegan Turkey
    • Vegetarian Salsbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy (Meatball version)
    Print
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    vegan meatballs on a platter with a fork

    Best Vegan Meatballs! (Impossible Burger)


    ★★★★★

    5 from 19 reviews

    • Author: Verna
    • Total Time: 26 minutes
    • Yield: 6-8 Servings (approx 40 meatballs) 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Vegan Meatballs! My vegetarian take on ground beef meatballs made with impossible meat! 15 Minute prep time! Juicy meaty won’t fall apart veggie balls taste beyond DELICIOUS and no one will believe are vegan! Seriously the best plant based meatball recipe you will make and so EASY! Nut free, easily gluten free.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs*
    • 1/4 cup unsweetened plant milk
    • 2 packages Impossible burger (340g/12 oz each), can sub 1 pkg for beyond meat Italian sausage mild or hot casings removed
    • 2 and 1/2 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire sauce, I like Wizard's or Annie's
    • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional but tasty)
    • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
    • 1 small clove garlic, finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, or use a mix of dried oregano and basil
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
    • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons granulated onion (powder)
    • 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
    • 3/4 teaspoon salt
    • pinch of black pepper

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 425° Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
    2. In a small bowl mix together the breadcrumbs and vegan plant milk. Set aside.
    3. In a large mixing bowl add the rest of ingredients, Now add in the breadcrumb/milk mixture. Mix everything together well.
    4. Roll into balls about 1 and 1/2 tablespoons each. I use my small cookie scoop to measure. Place on prepared sheet pan and space evenly. (makes 40 meatballs)
    5. Bake for 11 minutes. Enjoy with your favourite sauce (marinara or mushroom gravy), pasta and dairy free parmesan or serve as appetizers with dipping sauce! For step by step photos see above post.

    Notes

    • To store: will keep covered in fridge for 4-5 days and freeze well, Once cooked and cooled place on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, transfer to a plastic freezer bag and keep them frozen for up to a couple of months. Add frozen or thawed right to your sauces, soups, or stews and simmer until warmed through.
    • For gluten free: use gluten free Panko breadcrumbs
    • Vegan Worcestershire Sauce: could substitute Braggs, Tamari or soya sauce regular or lite. (I recommend using lite or it might be too salty) I like recipe best as written tough!
    • Prep Time: 15 Minutes
    • Cook Time: 11 Minutes
    • Category: Mains
    • Method: Bake/Oven
    • Cuisine: Italian, American, Canadian

    Keywords: vegan meatballs, impossible meatballs, vegan meatball recipe,

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cheeky_chickpea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #cheeky_chickpea_

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    6962 shares
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. erin

      November 21, 2022 at 8:04 pm

      This recipe is incredible! Made it tonight with beyond burgers but otherwise followed the recipe exactly, and it yielded 28 meatballs. Next time I might make them a bit smaller to yield more, but wow this recipe is simply amazing. I almost cannot believe how good these are and how much they remind me of the meatballs I loved before I was vegan so many years ago. Thank you for this recipe!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna Rindler

        November 22, 2022 at 7:09 am

        You made my day!! 🙂 Thrilled you enjoyed them and thank you so much for the wonderful review it is so appreciated.

        Reply
    2. Kelly

      November 12, 2022 at 6:53 pm

      I am in shock! This is the first vegan meatball I’ve made and I had to get my boyfriend to eat them, he doesn’t even accept as an substitute for a meatball. They looked like beef meatballs and the texture was on point and just plain good. That said, my boyfriend who still doesn’t know it was not beef, said they are the best meatballs he’s ever had. Continued to rave about how good dinner was and before I went to sleep, asked if there was more in the fridge for a snack. Meat eater or non, these are a hit!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna Rindler

        November 13, 2022 at 6:05 am

        Ok you totally made my day!! 🙂 I am thrilled you enjoyed them and I thank you for your amazing feedback and just a suggestion if you love these try my meatloaf too!!

        Reply
    3. Lesly

      October 28, 2022 at 2:24 pm

      I've made these meatballs three times and they've always turned out great. I substituted the parsley with chives because chives are what I had on hand. I also added a bit of red pepper flakes with good results. I will make this recipe time and again I imagine.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna Rindler

        October 28, 2022 at 2:54 pm

        Thrilled you're enjoying the recipe Lesly. Appreciate the wonderful feedback really helpful 🙂

        Reply
    4. Maria

      October 06, 2022 at 4:46 pm

      Omg so delicious! reminded me of my Nona’s meatballs. I’m so happy to have found this, thank you 😊

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        October 09, 2022 at 4:32 pm

        That's what I want to hear, yay!! Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Michelle G

      July 12, 2022 at 2:17 pm

      I highly recommend making this recipe. It was delicious and easy!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        July 13, 2022 at 7:04 am

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    6. Ally

      July 12, 2022 at 11:32 am

      Hi, could these work as those crockpot meatballs if I bake them before putting on low heat in a sauce? Just wondering how likely they are to fall apart that way

      Reply
      • Verna

        July 12, 2022 at 11:44 am

        Yes they will work and will not fall apart at all. Enjoy! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Brian

      May 06, 2022 at 4:14 pm

      Impressed the whole family with this recipe! Thanks so much

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        May 06, 2022 at 4:58 pm

        Awesome to hear!! thank you

        Reply
    8. lois

      March 27, 2022 at 10:42 am

      Can these be cooked right in the marina sauce like Italian meatballs?

      Reply
      • Verna

        March 27, 2022 at 12:08 pm

        Hi Lois, I recommend baking the meatballs first them simmer in the sauce towards end of cooking -it would probably work adding directly to sauce but I have honestly not tried! I used to do it that way when I made real beef meatballs as it was the best method for flavour! Hope that helps and if you try it let me know your results!! 🙂

        Reply
        • lois

          March 27, 2022 at 3:12 pm

          Thank you for answering back so soon. I think I'll try 1/2 batch in sauce and 1/2 baked. Will let you know the results. I used to do the beef meatballs either in broth or sauce, that was the way my mom always cooked them.

          Reply
          • Verna

            March 27, 2022 at 5:25 pm

            Same here! I never baked them either, always just threw them in the sauce 🙂

            Reply
            • lois

              April 12, 2022 at 12:05 pm

              JuJust Just made the meatballs, part baked and part simmered in the marinara sauce. Delighted with the results of both. Will make again

            • Verna

              April 12, 2022 at 2:05 pm

              Awesome Lois! Thanks for sharing the results -so helpful 🙂

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    Hi, I’m Verna! Major foodie of all things vegan! Welcome to The Cheeky Chickpea; here, you’ll find hundreds of restaurant-worthy easy vegan recipes. Some oil-free and gluten-free, from veggie-powered plant-based comfort foods to decadent desserts. Lots of tricks and tips up my chef sleeve…Grab your apron let’s get cooking!

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