The Vegan Quick French Onion Meatballs are tasty and have 290 kcal per serving. This recipe takes 40 minutes to prepare. Serve it at holidays, events, feasts, lunches, functions, get-togethers, celebrations, dinner, or festivals. It contains cooked lentils, vegan breadcrumbs, flax egg, soy sauce, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, olive oil, onions, vegan butter, sugar, garlic, vegetable broth, soy sauce, thyme, salt, water, and cornstarch. We may pair this dish with roasted cauliflower, barley, vegan mac and cheese, herb stuffing, zucchini noodles, quinoa, Kale salad, roasted carrots, brown rice, mashed potatoes, garlic bread, or baby potatoes. You may keep these Vegan Quick French Onion Meatballs in the refrigerator for 4 days.
STATS:
- Total time: 40 minutes
- Cuisine: French
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Course: Main
- Diet: Vegan
- Serving size: 4 meatballs with sauce
- Serving: 4
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Cooking time: 25 minutes
EQUIPMENT:
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Frying pan
- Saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups
INGREDIENTS:
VEGAN MEATBALLS:
- 1 cup cooked mashed lentils
- Half cup vegan breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- One tsp garlic powder
- 5 tbsp water
- One tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- Half tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
FRENCH ONION SAUCE:
- Two large onions
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- Two tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
- One tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp vegan butter
- One tsp sugar
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- One tsp thyme
- Black pepper to taste
- One tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
INGREDIENT NOTES:
COOKED LENTILS:
- These are the main bases of the balls. Cooked lentils give a hearty texture and hold the shape of meatballs during cooking. You may use cooked chickpeas, black beans, or mashed kidney beans as per your preference.
BREADCRUMBS:
- Breadcrumbs bind the meatball texture together and make a firm texture. They absorb the extra moisture as well. You may use quick oats, crushed crackers, or oat flour as an alternative.
GROUND FLAXSEED:
- We mix it with water to make flax egg for a vegan version. It holds the ingredients together and provides healthy fat. You may use mashed potatoes as another idea.
VEGAN BUTTER:
- Butter gives richness and a buttery taste to the onion sauce. It gives more authentic French onion taste to the dish. Use extra olive oil if you are not adding vegan butter.
VEGETABLE BROTH:
- Vegetable broth makes sauce foundation and gives a savory taste. It makes the gravy rich and comforting. Mushroom broth is a good option to use instead.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- First, mix flaxseed and water for five minutes.
- Then combine mashed lentils, vegan breadcrumbs, spices, flax egg, and soy sauce in a bowl.
- Make small meatballs of the mixture.
- Warm olive oil in a pan and cook meatballs till they get golden.
- In the pan, melt vegan butter and olive oil.
- Cook sliced onions till they get golden and garlic for one minute.
- Include vegetable broth, salt, thyme, soy sauce, and pepper to simmer for seven minutes.
- Mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry, then add it to the sauce.
- When the sauce gets thick, include meatballs in it.
- Lastly, simmer the dish for five minutes and serve.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
BREAD:
- French Baguette
- Garlic Bread
- Sourdough Bread
- Dinner Rolls
- Toasted Artisan Bread
POTATOES:
- Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Potatoes
- Potato Wedges
- Smashed Potatoes
- Baby Potatoes
RICE:
- Jasmine Rice
- Brown Rice
- Wild Rice
- Herb Rice
- Rice Pilaf
PASTA:
- Garlic Spaghetti
- Buttered Noodles
- Penne Pasta
- Linguine
- Orzo Pasta
VEGETABLES:
- Roasted Carrots
- Green Beans
- Steamed Broccoli
- Roasted Asparagus
- Brussels Sprouts
SALADS:
- Garden Salad
- Cucumber Salad
- Tomato Salad
- Kale Salad
- Arugula Salad
SOUP:
- Tomato Soup
- Mushroom Soup
- Lentil Soup
- Vegetable Soup
- Potato Soup
GRAINS:
- Quinoa
- Couscous
- Bulgur
- Farro
- Barley
LOW-CARB SIDES:
- Cauliflower Mash
- Zucchini Noodles
- Roasted Cauliflower
- Sautéed Spinach
- Cabbage Steaks
SPECIAL SIDES:
- Vegan Mac and Cheese
- Creamy Polenta
- Mushroom Risotto
- Herb Stuffing
- Roasted Root Vegetables
TIPS:
- Cook the onion slowly to get the best sweetness.
- Flax egg is important to hold the meatballs together.
- Make small meatballs for better cooking.
- Include broth slowly for better sauce control.
- Simmer the sauce longer for a deeper taste.
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Keep the meatballs in the box for four days.
FREEZER:
- Freeze the meatballs and sauce individually for 60 days.
FAQs:
Can I bake the meatballs?
- Yes, bake the balls for 20 minutes at 180°C.
Does my recipe contain gluten?
- No, if you use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Can I exclude vegan butter?
- Yes, you may use olive oil instead.
Why are the balls breaking?
- Include more breadcrumbs or flax egg to keep them whole.
Can I make the sauce early?
- Yes, the taste improves after chilling for one day.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Sodium: 620 mg
Net carbs: 28 g
Total carbs: 34 grams
Iron: 4.2 mg
Vitamin A: 180 IU
Fiber: 6 grams
Calcium: 90 mg
Protein: 12 grams
Calories: 290 kcal
Potassium: 520 milligrams
