Sourdough Meatballs

Sourdough meatballs use sourdough starter or sourdough discard in place of the usual breadcrumbs that would be added to the meat mixture. Using sourdough starter in these meatballs makes them tender and full of flavor. You can bake them, fry them or add them to your favorite pasta sauce and serve with sourdough pasta!

If you love using your sourdough starter for more than just bread, then make sure you check out these sourdough dinner ideas included these sourdough sausage balls, sourdough mac and cheese and sourdough pizza dough.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

Use Up Lots of Sourdough Starter – This recipe uses 200g of sourdough starter or sourdough discard, which is a great way to use it up if you have a bit too much excess or need to empty your sourdough discard jar.

Make a Meal, Not Just Bread – While I LOVE making sourdough bread, sometimes you want to make something a little different. This recipe is perfect to use your sourdough starter in a unique way.

Most Tender Meatballs Ever! – Sourdough meatballs are the most tender meatballs you’ll ever taste! Instead of using dried breadcrumbs, which can draw moisture away from the meat, the sourdough starter in these meatballs actually adds moisture, resulting in tender, flavorful meatballs.

How To Make Meatballs with Sourdough Starter

If you’ve made meatballs before, then you’re going to love how easy it is to make these sourdough meatballs. You can make the mixture and then leave it in the fridge for up to 2 days before rolling the balls. I’ve also added instructions for freezing further down.

In a large mixing bowl, add the meat, sourdough starter, egg yolks, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

Using a wooden spoon (or preferably clean hands) thoroughly mix all of the ingredients together. Really work the sourdough discard and egg yolks through the ground meat.

Once thoroughly mixed, place a cover over the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Once refrigerated, form the meatball mixture into balls (I’ve made mine approximately 25 – 30g each).

You can cook the meatballs straight away by oven baking, pan frying or adding to a rich tomato sauce. You can also store meatballs in the fridge for up to days (and possibly longer depending on the use by date of your meat). Alternatively, you can freeze them to use another day.

How To Cook Sourdough Meatballs

One of the best things about sourdough meatballs is their versatility. You can use them in so many ways!

Bake in the Oven – Just like sourdough sausage balls, these sourdough meatballs can be baked in the oven on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Fry in a Pan – Add a little olive oil to a non stick frying pan and fry the meatballs in small batches until well browned and cooked through.

Add to Pasta Sauce – these meatballs are perfect for serving with sourdough pasta and sauce. I love making a big batch of spaghetti sauce and then popping the meatballs in while the sauce is simmering. I’ve even been known to simmer these sourdough meatballs in a pan of my homemade pizza sauce! Quick and easy dinner served alongside a loaf of sourdough garlic bread.

How To Store + Freeze

These sourdough meatballs can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days once they’ve been formed (of course this time also depends on the use by date of your ground meat).

These meatballs freeze so well! Once you’ve rolled the balls, lay them on a sheet of parchment paper and then snap freeze them for around an hour in the freezer. Once firm, place into a zip loc baggie and into the freezer for up to 6 months.

They can even be baked in the oven from frozen. You can also drop frozen sourdough meatballs into simmering sauce and cook them (just add a little extra simmering time to ensure they are cooked through).

Share the sourdough love!