Tag Archives: beef

Instant Pot Meatballs in Tomato Sauce (Paleo, Whole30)

These Instant Pot Meatballs in Tomato Sauce are the ultimate comfort food that’s paleo, Whole30, and kid-friendly! Enjoy it over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to keep it low carb.

I can’t believe I haven’t had a classic Italian meatballs recipe on my blog until now. It’s mostly because my husband isn’t a huge fan of tomatoes or tomato based sauces, but I love them. I still make them and he’ll eat them, but I try not to make it too many times in the week for his sake.

However, these Instant Pot Meatballs in Tomato Sauce might be on regular rotation because they are SO comforting and delicious, so I’m planning to make them again and again (sorry, Charlie!).

Instant Pot Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe

With the weather cooling down and the days getting shorter, I’ve been craving comfort food more and more. These Instant Pot Meatballs in Tomato Sauce fit the bill and are great for the entire family, even kids will go crazy for these! Best of all, it’s easy to make a large batch of (takes only 30 minutes!) and easy to cleanup since it’s all made in the Instant Pot, so it’s a good one to make on a busy weeknight.

With spices like oregano, garlic, and onions, it has all the familiar and cozy flavors that everyone loves!

Instant Pot Meatballs in Tomato SauceInstant Pot Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Keeping it Whole30 or Low Carb

These Instant Pot Meatballs in Tomato Sauce are fantastic on their own, but they are saucy enough that you can serve over your favorite gluten free pasta or some white rice.

However, if you are doing the Whole30 challenge or you want to keep low carb, you can serve them over:

  • zucchini noodles,
  • spaghetti squash,
  • or cauliflower rice.

These options are also a great way to add some extra veggies into your diet. These meatballs also freeze and defrost beautifully without changing the texture or flavors so go make them a big batch to enjoy for days!

Instant Pot Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Instant Pot Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Instant Pot Meatballs in Tomato Sauce (Paleo, Whole30)

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 388 kcal
Author: Jean Choi

These Instant Pot Meatballs in Tomato Sauce are the ultimate comfort food that's paleo, Whole30, and kid-friendly! Enjoy it over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to keep it low carb.

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Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast optional
  • 2 tsp oregano
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper

Tomato Sauce

  • 2 tbsp avocado oil or coconut oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 onion diced
  • 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • Optional: Chopped parsley and red pepper flakes for garnish

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients for the meatballs in a large bowl and mix together. Do not overmix.

  2. Roll into balls the size of golf balls and set aside.

  3. Set the Instant Pot on Sautè and add avocado oil.

  4. Once the Instant Pot signals that it's "hot,' add onion and garlic and cook stirring for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.

  5. Press Cancel on the Instant Pot, and then add crushed tomatoes, water, tomato paste, and sea salt. 

  6. Add the meatballs and stir together until they are coated with sauce.

  7. Close the lid, make the sure the pressure valve is set to Sealing. 

  8. Cook on Manual on high pressure for 7 minutes.

  9. Once the Instant Pot beeps to a finish, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.

  10. Open the lid and serve over cooked spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles, or cauliflower rice!

Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Meatballs in Tomato Sauce (Paleo, Whole30)
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 388 Calories from Fat 243
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 27g 42%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 121mg 40%
Sodium 1273mg 53%
Potassium 720mg 21%
Total Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Sugars 5g
Protein 23g 46%
Vitamin A 6.7%
Vitamin C 14.2%
Calcium 7.5%
Iron 22.7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
 
Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.
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Instant Pot Paleo Hamburger Soup (Whole30 Option)

This Instant Pot Paleo Hamburger Soup is so comforting and easy, and you can even make it Whole30-compliant! It’s a quick and healthy meal for a busy weeknight. 

Instant Pot Paleo Hamburger Soup

This humble and comforting Instant Pot Paleo Hamburger Soup is a recipe that I’ve been making for about a year now and it’s such a winner every time. I actually posted on Instagram Stories last winter about this soup and asked you if I should share the recipe, and an overwhelming majority of you answered, “hell yes!” I want to apologize because I totally forgot about it and I am now finally posting it.

Instant Pot Paleo Hamburger Soup Recipe

This is the kind of soup that has a ton of veggies in it, but my husband even loves it every time I make it. He’s not a veggie lover like me but he’ll eat it in soups without complaining. Not only that, I made it using bone broth so it’s even more packed with all the gut-healing good-for-you nutrients! If you don’t have bone broth on hand, you can just use plain beef broth as well.

Instant Pot Paleo Hamburger Soup

Whole30 Option

I just used my homemade paleo ketchup for this recipe that I always try to have on hand, which contains maple syrup, but you can easily make it Whole30-compliant by using a Whole30-friendly ketchup recipe that’s sweetened with dates or other fruits. I really like this one that really does taste like actual ketchup and will go great in this recipe. If you don’t want any sweetener at all, this is also a good one to try out.

With the weather cooling down these days, I’m planning to come up with more Instant and soup recipes so stay tuned! In the meantime, I hope you make this Instant Pot Paleo Hamburger Soup, because it’s so hearty, filling, and packed with all the healthy ingredients.

Instant Pot Paleo Hamburger Soup

Instant Pot Paleo Hamburger Soup (Whole30 Option)

Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 471 kcal
Author: Jean Choi

This Instant Pot Paleo Hamburger Soup is so comforting and easy, and you can even make it Whole30-compliant! It's a quick and healthy meal for a busy weeknight. 

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Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp ghee or coconut oil
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 lb ground beef preferably grass fed
  • 1 cup chopped green beans
  • 1 1/2 cup chopped potatoes
  • 2 stalks of celery chopped
  • 1 large carrot chopped
  • 4 cups bone broth or beef broth
  • 1/2 cup paleo ketchup or Whole30-friendly ketchup to make it Whole30-compliant
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano

Instructions

  1. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté function, and add ghee or coconut oil.

  2. Once the Instant Pot indicates that it's "hot," add onions and garlic, and cook stirring for 3 minutes until the onions are translucent and browned.

  3. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula.

  4. Press Cancel to turn off the Instant Pot. 

  5. Add the remaining ingredients and stir together. 

  6. Close the lid and set it to Manual on HIGH for 10 minutes. 

  7. Once it beeps to a finish, you can quick release the pressure to eat it right away, let it release pressure naturally for 15 minutes. 

  8. Serve hot alone or garnished with parsley, cilantro, or red pepper flakes.

Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Paleo Hamburger Soup (Whole30 Option)
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 471 Calories from Fat 234
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 26g 40%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Cholesterol 90mg 30%
Sodium 1638mg 68%
Potassium 948mg 27%
Total Carbohydrates 26g 9%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Sugars 9g
Protein 31g 62%
Vitamin A 59.6%
Vitamin C 22.2%
Calcium 8.8%
Iron 30%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
 
Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.
13 reply

Whole30 Mongolian Beef (Paleo, Keto, AIP Option)

This easy Keto and Whole30 Mongolian Beef is so much healthier and tastier than takeout and it only takes 20 minutes to make, with an AIP option!

Whole30 Mongolian Beef

Did you hear? My Korean Paleo cookbook cover image is finalized and I shared it on social media! I’m honestly so stoked about how it looks and can’t wait to share more details about preorder gifts soon, so make sure to go preorder your copy.

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve had my cookbook on my mind, but I’ve been craving Asian food more and more recently. One of my favorite Chinese food takeout menu items used to Mongolian beef, but even as a kid, I remember thinking how sweet it was from all the brown sugar.

Whole30 Mongolian Beef Recipe

Well, as someone who likes to keep her sugar intake low these days, I decided to make a Whole30 version of Mongolian Beef without any added sugar and it turned out fantastic. The yummy flavor comes from coconut aminos, which has a natural sweet taste especially when cooked down like it’s done in this recipe.

The garlic ginger sauce is so dang delicious, and it only take 20 minutes from start to finish! Definitely my kind of meal on busy weeknights.

Whole30 Mongolian Beef

Keeping It Low Carb

This Whole30 Mongolian Beef is fantastic on its own, but if you want a delicious side that goes well with it, serve it with some cauliflower rice! This keeps it low carb, keto, AIP, and Whole30-compliant. If you are fine with eating real rice, then you do you, boo! There’s no wrong way to eat anything and we just gotta do what feels right for our body.

AIP Option

This recipe is really easy to adjust to make it AIP compliant. All you have to do is omit the crushed red pepper during cooking, as well as the sesame oil and sesame seeds added in at the end. It’ll still turn out delicious because the sauce is what makes this dish! It’s hard to beat the combination of coconut aminos, garlic, and ginger.

I hope you enjoy this Whole30 Mongolian Beef, that comes together quickly and easily. Let me know how yours turns out and comment below! I love getting your feedback on my recipes so I can keep improving and creating dishes that you love.

Whole30 Mongolian Beef

Whole30 Mongolian Beef

Whole30 Mongolian Beef (Paleo, Keto, AIP Option)

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 318 kcal
Author: Jean Choi

This easy Keto and Whole30 Mongolian Beef is so much healthier and tastier than takeout and it only takes 20 minutes to make, with an AIP option!

Print

Ingredients

  • 1 lb flank steak sliced against the grain into thin, bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tsp tapioca starch
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil or ghee
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 inch fresh ginger grated
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper omit for AIP or if you don't want spicy
  • 1/3 cup coconut aminos
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tsp fish sauce
  • 1 bunch green onions cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 tsp sesame oil omit for AIP
  • Toasted same seeds, for garnish omit for AIP

Instructions

  1. Season the beef with salt, then toss together.

  2.  Sprinkle with tapioca starch then toss until evenly covered.

  3. Heat avocado oil in a skillet over medium high heat. 

  4. Working in batches, drop the beef in the oil a few at a time so the pieces aren't touching each other. Fry until dark and crispy, about 1 1/2 minutes on each side. 

  5. Remove from the skillet and set aside. Drain the oil from the skillet but leave about 1 tablespoon.

  6. Add garlic, ginger, and crushed red peppers, if using, into the same skillet.

  7. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  8. Add coconut aminos, water, and fish sauce, and stir to combine. 

  9. Add the fried beef, and let it simmer for 3 minutes until the sauce is thickened.

  10. Stir in green onions and simmer for 2 more minutes.

  11. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil. 

  12. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving with cauliflower rice.

Nutrition Facts
Whole30 Mongolian Beef (Paleo, Keto, AIP Option)
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 318 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 68mg 23%
Sodium 927mg 39%
Potassium 415mg 12%
Total Carbohydrates 6g 2%
Protein 24g 48%
Vitamin A 2.7%
Vitamin C 2.5%
Calcium 3.4%
Iron 10.5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
 
Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.
16 reply