Published: · Modified: by Vaishali · This post may contain affiliate links · 59 Comments
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Total time: 45 minutes minutes
These Vegan Barbecue Meatballs are a fun, healthy and delicious meal. Beans and oats and a few spices make these meatballs perfectly textured and a great vehicle for the homemade barbecue sauce. A vegan, soy-free, nut-free and gluten-free recipe.
Around here, holiday movies are a big deal. I mean BIG, bigger than the holidays even. And I'm not talking about me. Desi is the holiday movie glutton who has binged on every Santa movie and every version of The Christmas Carol there is, including Hallmark versions (I think he deserves an award for enduring some of those without throwing the remote at the TV).
I can take holiday movies or leave them, but there are times when I find myself watching a holiday classic again and again. Make that one holiday classic that I watch again and again. It's a Wonderful Life.
There's something about the wonderful life of George Bailey that draws millions of us to the television set during the holidays each year, more than 70 years after it was first released. It's not hard to see why. At the time of year when feeling good is in season, how can you not love a movie that makes you reflect upon your own life and realize that maybe it was not such a colossal waste of time after all?
Besides, who can resist more than two hours of James Stewart? Not me.
As it does every year, the movie will air this weekend on network TV, and you can be sure we'll be front-row-center on our couch in our finest pajamas. With these amazing Vegan Barbecue Meatballs for company.
On to the recipe for these bbq vegan meatballs now. Our favorite way to munch on these is to pile a few meatballs into a bun for a meatball sandwich, and then sit back and watch Clarence take George on a life-changing journey.
Happy Holidays!
More vegan dinner recipes for family movie night:
- Instant Pot Spaghetti with "Meaty" Marinara
- Vegan Irish Stew
- Curried Chickpeas Bowl with Garlicky Chard
- My Dad's "Not Mutton" Mushroom Curry
- Vegan Instant Pot Butter Chicken with Tofu
Vegan Barbecue Meatballs
These Vegan Barbecue Meatballs are a meal by themselves, healthy, and delicious to boot. Beans and oats and a few spices make these meatballs perfectly textured and a great vehicle for the homemade barbecue sauce. A vegan, soy-free, nut-free, gluten-free recipe.
4.97 from 31 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: nut-free, Soy-free
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 30 minutes mins
Total Time: 45 minutes mins
Servings: 20 meatballs
Calories: 50kcal
Author: Vaishali · Holy Cow Vegan
Ingredients
For meatballs:
- 1 15 ounce can pinto beans, drained and thoroughly rinsed
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sage
- Salt to taste
- 4 tablespoon vegetable oil to fry meatballs (the meatballs will absorb very little oil if you fry at a temperature of 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and you'll be able to throw most of the remaining oil into the trash and not in your tummy)
For barbecue sauce:
- 1 cup tomato ketchup
- ½ cup vegetable stock
- 2 tablespoon liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ¼ cup turbinado sugar
- 1 teaspoon molasses (optional)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Make meatballs:
Place all of the meatball ingredients except the oil in the food processor and pulse a few times until the oats are broken down into small bits. The mixture should be evenly mixed and when you take a piece in your palms and roll into a ball, it should hold its shape.
Divide the mixture into 20 1-inch meatballs.
Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed fry pan or skillet. I used the Lagostina 10-inch fry pan for this.
Place the meatballs in a single layer, without overlapping or overcrowding. Fry, turning over occasionally, until the meatballs are browned on all sides.
Remove the meatballs to a plate lined with paper napkins and set aside.
Make the barbecue sauce:
Place all of the ingredients for the barbecue sauce in a small saucepan. I used the Lagostina 1 ¾ quart saucepan for this.
Bring to a boil, turn down the heat to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Turn off heat.
Place the meatballs in a bowl or skillet and pour the barbecue sauce over them. Coat the meatballs thoroughly and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Vegan Barbecue Meatballs
Serving Size
1 meatball
Amount per Serving
Calories
50
% Daily Value*
Fat
1.8
g
3
%
Carbohydrates
6.8
g
2
%
Fiber
1.5
g
6
%
Protein
1.7
g
3
%
Calcium
10
mg
1
%
Iron
1.4
mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment and recipe rating below!
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About Vaishali
Hi! I'm Vaishali, a journalist turned food blogger. At Holy Cow Vegan I share easy, tasty recipes made with clean, wholesome ingredients that the entire family can enjoy.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Florencia
Amazing texture! I did my own version of the sauce as I thought it had too much sugar but regardless I'm so happy with them!
Thanks heaps =) ❤️Reply
Lindsey
I made these tonight for my omnivore family who is being very patient with my cooking ventures into vegan territory. BBQ sauce was a hit. We called these "protein balls" so they knew to expect a different texture/taste. I liked the flavor and my 6 year old asked for seconds on his "bean balls". Texturally, the outside was crisp but the inside was very dense. Could this be from blending too much? Or packing too tightly? Any tips to keep the center a little lighter?
Reply
Vaishali
Hi Lindsey, try adding some chopped dry mushrooms. Reconstitute them in hot water and then squeeze all the water out, then add them to the mix.
Reply
Angela
Can you bake these instead of frying them?
Reply
Jac
I made this recipe tonight and baked them. I baked them at 400 degrees for about 7-8 mins took them out flipped them on the other side and baked for another 7mins they were great!Reply
angelina johnson
has anyone actually tried this? I would love to hear how it turned out.
Reply
Nicole
Hi, thanks for the recipe. Do you think I could make these and then freeze them? Thanks!
Reply
Vaishali Honawar
Yes, absolutely!
Reply
Jennifer Arent
OMGoodness! I am going to be the only one to say they love a good horror movie at Christmastime...I love A Horror Christmas Story. It's awesome! And a big bowl of popcorn with my Taco "Nooch" seasoning all over it!
Thanks for all you do and your gorgeous photography!
Reply
Brandy
My mixture was a bit dry and the oatmeal didn't break down into small pieces. Do I need to add more liquid? Or does it have to do with my food processor (it's an inexpensive one). That being said, I enjoyed the recipe. The barbeque sauce was really good!Reply
Vaishali
Hi Brandy, the oatmeal does need to break down--large pieces won't let the meatballs hold together. Add a bit more liquid next time. Happy you enjoyed the barbecue sauce--one of my faves too!
Swetha
Home alone with kichdi and flame roasted papads.
Shared on Facebook.Reply
Tracie Cooper
I love Elf and some great chicken wings and cheese sticks!Reply
Rebecca
The sound of music !!!
Always love a big bowl of popcorn
Shared on FB and following??❄️Reply
MollJ
It is my family's tradition to watch A Christmas Story and eat all kinds of delicious appetizers on Christmas Eve. I always make my fav - vegan chicken fingers and stuffed mushrooms, vegan pigs in a blanket, salsa/dip, etc- but I think these meatballs may make an appearance next year! I tweeted and follow on Twitter - @mollj885 and shared on Facebook too - Moll Jean. Thanks! 🙂
https://twitter.com/mollj885/status/946536555929202688Reply
Cheryl
I followed @LagostinaUSA on twitter (@tlidesign)
Reply
Amishi Shah
My favorite holiday movie would still be Home Alone - part I, and with a comforting bowl of bean chili with toppings, or plain ol' pizza!
I tweeted about this post at https://twitter.com/Amishi03/status/946461688227946496. And also followed @LagostinaUSAReply
Cheryl
Believe it or not, I've never seen "It's A Wonderful Life" but my aunt watches it EVERY year. I just saw "A Christmas Story" a few years ago and that is now my go to Christmas night movie, although "The Santa Clause" is moving in. I love "Arthur Christmas", too. Snack-wise, it's caramel popcorn!
Picking up some pinto beans tomorrow so I can make these!
Loooooove the pans and am in desperate need! The handles are coming off of my old set that I purchased from Linens & Things with a lifetime guarantee. The store no longer exists so the guarantee is quite useless, but what can you do??
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!!
I shared here
https://twitter.com/TLIDesign/status/946426957570498560and here
Reply
Megan
Can't wait to try this recipe! My favorite Christmas movie is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and I love making baked guacamole wontons for my movie nights!
I shared the link on Twitter and followed Langostina's page both under the handle @megansuckut. ?
Reply
Katie
The past couple of years I've had a Star Wars marathon during the holidays - starting with the new release in theatre. Traditionally however, I watch Lethal Weapon and have crudites and hummus - simple and less of a mess when I inevitably spill.
Reply
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