These Keto General Tso’s Meatballs are easy to make and family friendly. Delicious hot or cold, these sweet and spicy keto meatballs are also perfect for meal prep for lunches all week long!
Keto General Tso’s Meatballs guys – you’re gonna want to make these STAT.
These keto General Tso’s meatballs are inspired by the popular Chinese takeout dish that consists of fried chicken chunks in an addicting sauce that is both sweet and spicy.
I’ve taken all the flavors of the classic favorite and jammed them into these little gems of poultry bliss!
One of the things I love about these sweet and spicy keto meatballs is that they are equally delicious either hot or cold. Maybe I’m just weird that way, but I enjoy them right out of the fridge – no heating needed. Which makes them super convenient to take them for lunch on the go when you don’t have the option to warm them up.
I’m including some answers to frequently asked questions in the section below. If I’ve missed anything feel free to put your question in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them.
What is the best ground meat to use for these keto meatballs?
I recommend that you use ground chicken or turkey for the most authentic flavor in these keto General Tso’s Meatballs, but ground pork would also work nicely.
In a pinch, you could use ground beef, but the stronger flavor of the meat won’t work as well with this particular sauce in my opinion.
Are keto meatballs gluten free?
The majority of my recipes here on IBIH are gluten free. These particular meatballs can be made with regular soy sauce if that’s what you have on hand and a small amount of gluten isn’t an issue for you.
Traditional soy sauce is a no-no for Paleo and Celiacs, so if you want to make sure these keto meatballs are gluten free, you can substitute a tamari-based gluten free soy sauce, or coconut aminos for the soy sauce in this recipe with excellent results.
Substitutions for this recipe
- Typically, General Tso’s chicken contains blisteringly hot dried peppers, but if you can’t get them, or you don’t like it too hot, you can use fresh chili’s instead and adjust the amount to your preference. Another option is to use crushed red pepper flakes, but the flavor won’t be as authentic.
- If you are Paleo, you can substitute honey for the granulated sweetener, and arrowroot powder (or another preferred thickener) for the xanthan gum. I don’t recommend omitting the thickener altogether in this recipe, because the sauce won’t cling to the meatballs as well and it won’t have that authentic sticky feel – however, the flavor will be just as good!
- If you are allergic to almonds, you can replace the almond flour with sunflower seed flour, hemp hearts, or crushed pork rinds to use as your binder in this keto meatball recipe.
Serving suggestions for Keto General Tso’s Meatballs
Finally, and I’m not trying to tell you how to live your life here, but these keto General Tso’s Meatballs go perfectly with my Coconut Lime Cauliflower Rice to soak up that sticky, yummy sauce.
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General Tso’s Meatballs (Low Carb & Gluten Free)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Diabetic
Description
These keto General Tso’s Meatballs have all of the flavors and textures of the classic Chinese takeout favorite! Low carb and gluten free, there are also Paleo substitutions available.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground turkey or chicken
- 2 tablespoons minced ginger
- 1/4 cup scallions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 egg
- light flavored oil for frying
For the General Tso’s Sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar (unseasoned and sugar free)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (tamari based for GF, or coconut aminos for Paleo)
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoons sugar substitute (I like Swerve for keto, honey for Paleo)
- 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (or arrowroot powder)
- 1/4 cup scallions, chopped
- 4 – 5 small dried chilies, seeded and chopped (or 1 tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes)
Instructions
To make the meatballs:
- Combine all of the meatball ingredients and mix thoroughly.
- Form into 16 balls about 1 inch in diameter.
- Fry in hot oil over medium heat until cooked through and crispy.
**Alternatively you could bake them but they won’t get the crunchy exterior.
To make the sauce:
- Combine the sesame oil, vinegar, GF soy sauce, water, sugar substitute, and xanthan gum in a small saucepan and whisk until combined.
- Add the scallions and chili pepper and bring to a boil.
- Simmer for five minutes or until thickened, and remove from heat.
To serve:
- Add the cooked meatballs to the thickened sauce and stir to coat.
- Garnish with more chopped scallions and chilis if desired.
Notes
Approximate net carbs per serving = 4g
To lower the fat and calories, use extra lean ground turkey, and bake rather than fry them.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Keto meatballs
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 322
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 23g
More Keto Meatball Recipes
Keto Spinach & Artichoke Dip Meatballs
Keto Chicken Piccata Meatballs
Keto Turkey Saltimbocca Meatballs
Lea says
I made these earlier this week. I needed to add more salt and pepper, but the sauce was excellent! My kids loved trying it and I only wish I had planned ahead better as I had it without cauliflower rice. I will be making it again sometime!
Louann says
Very easy and very good! I will probably make one change next time and air fry or bake the meatballs. This is a personal preference and not a criticism.
Angela says
Not impressed with the overly delicate hold together on these. Came apart while turning them and finished looking like taco meat . Probably would have made more sense baked in the oven instead? As is, are a disappointment as meatballs. Sauce is good, but I wouldn’t make this meatball recipe again.
Kathy says
I made these meatballs several years ago, gave some away, and have thought about them ever since. They were a huge hit and I’m glad to see the recipe again to remind me it’s time to make them again. Thank you for some of my most favorite keto dishes!
Bonnie says
Hi Mellissa, I know this is an *old* recipe but I’ve never tried it before. I’m going to correct that tonight. My question is about the use of one of the new air fryers recently on the market. Can this recipe be made in an Air Fryer and, if so, at what temperature and for how
Thank you!
Regards
Carol Renteria says
According to an AF Cooking Guide that I have: 1″ meatballs = 380 F 7 min 3″ meatballs = 380 F 10 min. I will be trying this recipe for a potluck. My meatballs might be around 2″ so will use this as a guide & adjust accordingly. Hope this helps, happy air frying, Carol
Susan says
Just made this, and it was great. I didn’t find ground chicken so ground turkey was used. The meatballs were a bit loose, so I just added more almond flour. This is a definite saver.
Gloria says
One other thing I forgot to mention is for my sweetner, Brown Swerve was perfection! Thanks again for ALL of your fabulous recipes. Wish we were neighbors and I was your taste tester, lol
Gloria says
That sauce taste like it came from a Chinese restaurant, I’ve made the wings with it! Thanks for taking the time, money, and effort to get it right. I do have a question, I made the meatballs, put them in the freezer to firm them up, and forgot them until the next day. So I got them out bagged them up for another day and back to the freezer again. Before I mess up, can I cook them frozen or thaw first?
Mellissa Sevigny says
I think cooking them from frozen would work Gloria, but I would cook them longer and at a lower temp so the middle cooks through without the exterior getting overcooked.
Nancy Ayers says
Made the meatballs exactly as written with ground chicken, the mixture was too wet to roll into balls. i put a tablespoon full in a skillet to taste test, found it terribly bland.
I added more almond flour and a sprinkling of psyllium husk powder to soak up with wetness, and added salt, pepper, and several dashes of hot chili oil, and a couple teaspoons of stir fry seasoning for flavor.
After letting it sit for an hour, i was able to use my cookie scooper to make balls and fry them. Flavor is much better. Making the sauce today.
Nancy Ayers says
i like heat, and always complain general tso is too sweet. this sauce as written with chili flakes was HOT HOT HOT! had to strain out solids, double the recipe without the chili to tame it down.
Ended up after me my sister and my niece tasted, i threw the whole thing away. sad, i spent a bit of money on a double recipe for me and my family, they’re new to keto and i was hoping to hook them with familiar flavors, we’re HUGE chinese food fans.
super disappointed in this recipe.
BUT i’m on your egg fast right now, and mmm i have SO perfected a cheese omelet, it’s working to get me out of my weight loss stall.
AL says
I actually made the sauce and used an almond coated diced chicken breast fried separately (I cant do pork rinds) then added the sauce. It was wonderful. The chicken took a little longer to cook but this is the best General Tso Keto recipe I have found. It was sooo good, I skipped the cauliflower rice.