Description
These Bison Meatballs are a lean and flavorful protein-packed option, perfect for a quick and healthy meal. Made with 90% lean ground bison and seasoned with garlic powder, dried basil, and oregano, these meatballs can be cooked either in the oven or air fryer, providing a juicy and tender bite every time. Ideal for a family dinner or meal prep, they are simple to make and pair well with your favorite sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 lb ground bison (90% lean)
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs (reduce salt if using seasoned breadcrumbs)
- 2-3 scallions, very finely diced (about ¼ cup) or 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning instead)
- ¾ – 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- ½ – 1 teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper for easy cleanup, then lightly spray or brush with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground bison, egg, breadcrumbs, finely diced scallions or onion, garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Use a fork to mix thoroughly until all ingredients and seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Form Meatballs: Use your hands to form the mixture into small meatballs, approximately 1 inch in diameter, about a rounded tablespoon each. Place the meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until fully cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). It’s normal if a small amount of greyish liquid appears; this is simply protein and water and is safe to consume.
- Serve: Use tongs to carefully transfer the baked meatballs to a serving dish. Serve hot, optionally tossing with your favorite sauce for added flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute dried oregano and basil with 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning.
- If using seasoned breadcrumbs, reduce added salt to ½ teaspoon to avoid over-salting.
- Meatballs can be cooked in an air fryer as an alternative to baking; cook at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F for safe consumption.
- Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
