17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (2024)

Check out these best vegan meatball recipes. With ingredients like lentils, chickpeas, and black beans, there’s more than enough here for vegans of all tastes!

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (1)

Table Of Contents

  1. Easy Lentil Meatballs
  2. Vegan Meatballs With Spaghetti
  3. The Ultimate Vegan Meatballs
  4. Easy Vegan Meatballs
  5. Super Easy Vegan Meatballs In Italian Tomato Sauce
  6. Tofu Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce
  7. Vegan Meatballs with Spaghetti
  8. Moroccan-Inspired Vegan Meatballs
  9. Vegan Meatballs Recipe
  10. Vegan Italian Meatballs
  11. Vegan Meatballs
  12. Firecracker Chickpea Meatballs
  13. Vegan Swedish Meatballs
  14. Vegan BBQ Black Bean Meatballs
  15. BBQ Lentil Meatballs
  16. Lentil Meatballs (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
  17. 17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More)

Vegan diets typically have very limited choices, and can get very routine and unspectacular. One of the ways people who follow vegan diets have attempted to liven up their meals is through vegan substitutes for ordinary food such as burgers or meatballs. These substitutions allow typically non-vegan dishes to be prepared using vegan ingredients.

Meatballs, in particular, are a food with many different possible combinations. The best part about vegan meatballs is the limitless possibilities of ingredients they can be constructed with. While typical meatballs are always made from ground beef or ground turkey, there are many different vegan foods which can be used in meatball recipes. These different foods give different flavors to the recipes and allow the meatballs to be paired with different ingredients, depending on what is used to form the meatballs.

Here are 17 delicious vegan meatball recipes which are guaranteed to leave you not missing meat at all.

Easy Lentil Meatballs

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (2)

The breadcrumbs and herbs in these meatballs make you think traditional Italian meatball, and the lentils used allow them to be similarly high in protein to a typical meatball.

The typical cheese and egg are mimicked by vegan parmesan cheese and flax egg, giving them a taste just like a normal meatball but with all vegan ingredients.

Check it out here

Vegan Meatballs With Spaghetti

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (3)

This vegan meatball recipe uses rolled oats, sunflower seeds, and kidney beans to give a cheap and vegan alternative to the traditional meatball.

These meatballs hold their shape perfectly, and with onion, garlic, oregano, and basil they taste have the same Italian taste a normal meatball would.

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The Ultimate Vegan Meatballs

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (4)

This meatball recipe uses the protein packed duo of mushrooms and chickpeas to create a meatball texture.

The recipe also uses onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper to give the meatballs the traditional Italian taste desired. Rolled oats, flaxseed, and breadcrumbs work to bind the meatballs and keep them from falling apart to make these super easy to make.

Check it out here

Easy Vegan Meatballs

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (5)

A unique twist on the traditional ingredients in a vegan meatball, this recipe uses mushrooms and rice to create the base for the meatball.

Italian seasoning, garlic, and onion are added to give Italian flavor, and once formed the meatballs can be baked or fried to enjoy them.

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Super Easy Vegan Meatballs In Italian Tomato Sauce

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (6)

The beauty of these vegan meatballs is in their simplicity. The main ingredients are black beans, breadcrumbs, and sunflower seeds which are all readily available.

To make these, you simply throw the ingredients in a food processor, process them, add the breadcrumbs, and they are ready to bake.

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Tofu Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (7)

A unique spin on vegan meatballs using tofu, this recipe mixes tofu and mushrooms to form a protein filled base of the meatball.

These meatballs give a nice Mexican twist on the usual meatball style, and use a sauce made of tomatoes and chipotles to give some heat to spice up the meatballs.

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Vegan Meatballs with Spaghetti

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (8)

This recipe uses a different technique by using vital wheat gluten, which can be bought in stores or made on your own.

These meatballs use potato and white beans with the vital wheat gluten for the base, and basil, oregano, and paprika to give them an Italian kick.

Check it out here

Moroccan-Inspired Vegan Meatballs

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (9)

These meatballs are a Moroccan twist on the typical vegan meatball. With a base of mushrooms, carrots, and chickpeas they still pack plenty of protein.

Lemon, apricots, and walnuts are used in this recipe to give a tasty Moroccan twist that makes these meatballs a must try.

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Vegan Meatballs Recipe

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (10)

These meatballs mock the texture of ground beef nicely and are a cheaper alternative to traditional meatballs.

Made from chickpeas and a host of nuts including almonds, walnuts, and cashews, these meatballs can be baked and served with marina, teriyaki, or practically any other sauce you can think of as a vegan alternative to a normal meatball.

Check it out here

Vegan Italian Meatballs

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (11)

Using lentils and mushrooms, these vegan meatballs are full of protein and guaranteed to keep you filled.

This recipe uses flax seed and water as a binder rather than egg, which is a useful trick that makes the meatballs hold together really well. Simple Italian ingredients onion, garlic, and parsley are used to give an Italian taste which will make this recipe a favorite.

Check it out here

Vegan Meatballs

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (12)

The last meatball recipe is one of the easiest to make, using only 8 simple ingredients.

These meatballs use a base of black beans and can be baked or fried, and cooked with marinara sauce or olive oil, making them perfect anyone who is calorie conscience. Oats and nutritional yeast work to keep the meatballs together, and these are so simple to make they will be your new go to recipe.

Check it out here

Firecracker Chickpea Meatballs

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (13)

This dish lives up to its name with its sweet and spicy sauce, and it’s packed with nutrients. Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein and fiber. In one serving of this recipe, you’ll get 7.6 grams of protein and nearly six grams of fiber. Put these vegan meatballs in a sandwich or enjoy as a snack.

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Vegan Swedish Meatballs

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (14)

This gluten-free and nut-free recipe shows that creamy and rich gravy can be made without butter or oil. Ingredients for the gravy include coconut milk, and soy or almond milk. Lentils, mushrooms, and rolled oats are the main components to the meatballs. A side of mashed potatoes goes well with this dish.

Check it out here

Vegan BBQ Black Bean Meatballs

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (15)

Taste and good nutrition can go hand-in-hand, as this dish demonstrates. The delicious BBQ sauce is made with such ingredients as olive oil, onion, garlic, hot sauce, and crushed tomatoes. The meatballs contain rolled oats, which are high in fiber and antioxidants, and cooked black beans, which are rich in protein, potassium, and B-vitamins.

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BBQ Lentil Meatballs

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (16)

A whopping 25 grams of protein and 26 grams of fiber are in one serving of this recipe. Choose dry lentils instead of canned lentils (or pat canned lentils dry with a paper towel) to avoid the mixture being too wet to hold together. Don’t use red lentils since they are too mushy.

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Vegan Cranberry Meatballs (Sweet & Tangy)

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (17)

Did you know vegan meatballs could be made with cauliflower and quinoa? Packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, they are two key ingredients for these meatballs. This uses a delicious cranberry sauce recipe, which also includes soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and other ingredients. Serve at a Thanksgiving dinner or other holiday party.

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Lentil Meatballs (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (18)

The creamy cashew gravy is easy to make: simply combine the ingredients in a high-speed blender, and then heat the sauce in a saucepan with thyme, Italian seasonings, and paprika. Cashews are a great source of unsaturated fats (healthy fats), and they are high in copper, magnesium, and manganese. Take these vegan meatballs to your next potluck.

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17 Best Vegan Meatball Recipes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Eggplant, and More) (2024)

FAQs

What are vegan meatballs made of? ›

Made with mushrooms, walnuts, and black beans, they're crisp on the outside, tender in the middle, and full of savory flavor. These vegan meatballs are the best I've tried. They're intensely flavorful, made with roasted mushrooms, a mix of savory spices, and balsamic vinegar for tang.

Are vegan meatballs healthy? ›

When it comes to nutritional differences, you'll save 341 calories by choosing our vegan meatballs over traditional meatballs. They also provide 6 more grams of fiber and they're 11 grams lower in saturated fat than typical meatballs.

Is Beyond Meat really healthy? ›

The new Beyond Burger significantly improves that health profile. It has 10 percent of the recommended intake of saturated fat and 14 percent of the recommended intake of sodium. A single patty has 230 calories, which is the same as the outgoing burger. For comparison, a Kroger-brand 80/20 beef patty has 290 calories.

How do you keep vegetable meatballs from falling apart? ›

Roll your meatballs in flour

Roll the finished meatballs in plain flour before frying. This is, hands down, one of the easiest ways I've discovered to prevent meatballs from falling apart when cooking.

Which vegan meat is the healthiest? ›

Specifically, meat substitutes like tofu, tempeh, and seitan have equal amounts of protein but with less saturated fat and more vitamins and minerals, besides B12.

What is healthier vegan or meat eater? ›

Vegetarians and vegans typically have lower body mass index, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and blood pressure than comparable regular meat-eaters, as well as lower bone mineral density.

What's vegan meat made out of? ›

The plant-based burgers and sausages found on supermarket shelves are made by extracting the protein from plant foods, often pea, soy, wheat protein, and mushrooms. But a myriad of additives are needed to make these products look and taste like traditional meat.

What are Ikea vegan meatballs made of? ›

Developed with meat lovers in mind, the plant ball is made from pea protein, oats, potato and apple. The meaty taste is achieved by adding umami flavors, such as mushroom, tomato and roasted vegetables.

What are the ingredients in Beyond Meat plant-based meatballs? ›

Water, pea protein*, expeller-pressed canola oil, refined coconut oil, natural flavors, rice protein, yeast, methylcellulose, potato starch, spices, salt, potassium chloride, apple extract, garlic powder, vinegar, lemon juice concentrate, onion powder, pomegranate extract, sunflower lecithin, beet powder (for color), ...

Are plant-based meatballs processed? ›

Though the base of plant-based meats is a plant (usually soybeans, peas, and/or wheat), these ingredients have been highly processed. In most cases the main ingredients are stripped down to high-protein, low-fiber, colorless powders mixed with preservatives, oils, natural or artificial coloring, gums, and seasonings.

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