BBQ Vegan Black Bean Meatballs

Holy meatballs! I mean, vegan meatballs! This recipe isn’t your traditional meatball recipe because it’s completely plant-based and perfect for any vegetarian or vegan in your family. However, you may just be able to trick those meat-lovers in your family with these easy vegan meatballs 😉 

These vegan meatballs really speak for themselves. They are savoury, sweet, almost-too-much-life-meat, delicious and seriously addicting. I bet you can’t just eat one! What’s great about this recipe is that these balls are so versatile and you can make them with any sauce you like. This recipe uses a BBQ sauce, however, you can throw these balls into a pasta dish using my Grandma’s Pasta Sauce. These balls are perfect for a family dinner, an appetizer or for meal-prep. You can even freeze them in a tight sealed container and thaw them out when you’re in need.

The secret vegan meatball ingredient

So what did I use to make these vegan meatballs taste so damn good? The secret is Bob’s Red Mill’s rolled oats. These are gluten free, and super versatile so I love having them in my cupboard when I want to whip up a recipe like this one. What I did was combined these oats with black beans to make a meat-like consistency. Plus, black beans are super healthy for you! They are loaded with fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin B6 + more. They also support your heart health and lower your cholesterol.

All you really do with this recipe is throw all the ingredients together, and fry them up. Super easy, delicious, and versatile. What more could you need right?

What are your favourite ways to make or eat vegan meatballs? Share below in the comments!

Vegan BBQ Black Bean Meatballs

4.19 from 60 votes

These vegan black bean meatballs are perfect as an appetizer, or to freeze for when you need some balls to throw in your spaghetti sauce!

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Course Mains

Cuisine Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free

Servings 12 -14

Ingredients

  

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For the "Meat" Balls:

• 1 cup Bob's Red Mill rolled oats
• 1 400 ml can of black beans strained and drained
• 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil - plus some for cooking
• 1 heaped tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1/4 cup white onion roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp flax seeds
• 1 1/2 tbsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. hot sauce

For the BBQ Sauce:

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium white onion chopped finely
• 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
• season to taste
• 1 tbsp. hot sauce
• 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 2 tbsp coconut sugar
• 1 tbsp mustard powder
• 1 tbsp vegan Worcester sauce
• 1/2 - 1 tsp liquid smoke
• 2 tbsp. molasses optional
• Garnish with fresh Mint

Instructions

 

• Add your "meat" ball ingredients into the processor and blend till everything is well combined.  You want to ensure there is no loose flour from the oats, this is how you know you've done blending.
• Begin rolling into "meatballs" I like using a tbsp. to measure or even a small ice cream scoop.  Please note, you're balls will cook differently depending on the size you roll them. Once your balls are rolled, set them into the fridge while you prepare your BBQ sauce.
• Into a medium-sized pot add your oil and heat on low for a 1 minute.  Add your onions and cook for 5 minutes or until fragrant and translucent.  Add your garlic and cook for another minute.  Add the remainder of your ingredients and simmer on medium for around 10-15 minutes, stirring often to avoid sticking or burning.  Taste and ensure it has the flavours you desire.  If it's perfect then remove from heat, once cooled enough to handle use a hand blender to thicken and blend. Set aside.
• Into a large non-stick, pan heat your olive oil for 1 minute or so.  Add your balls and cook for around 1 minute on each side.  Add your desired amount of BBQ sauce to the pot and cook for around 5-6 minutes, on medium, with the lid on, until your balls are cooked throughout.  A way to test this is to cut into one and check if it's hot in the middle and steaming. That's when you know you're ready to eat all this deliciousness!
• Serve hot with Rice, on their own or with salad!

Notes

Balls will last in the fridge, in a tightly sealed container for up to one week.

BBQ Sauce will last for around one week or so in a tight sealed jar in the fridge.

Get creative with your Balls and BBQ Sauce, if you know your family likes a certain cuisine or flavour then add it to the mix! Have fun in the kitchen!

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