Big Mac Meatballs
HOW TO MAKE BIG MAC MEATBALLS
Using beef as the protein base in Big Mac Meatballs doesn’t just deliver that classic burger flavor — it’s also a powerhouse of nutrition. Let’s break down why beef makes this dish both delicious and metabolically supportive:
🥩 1. Complete Protein for Muscle and Metabolism
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Beef provides all 9 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein for building and repairing muscle tissue.
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Rich in leucine, which directly triggers muscle protein synthesis.
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Supports fat loss by boosting the thermic effect of food — your body burns more calories digesting protein than carbs or fat.
📚 Phillips & Van Loon, 2011 – High-quality protein sources like beef enhance lean body mass and metabolic rate.
💪 2. Iron, B Vitamins, and Energy Production
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Heme iron from beef is the most bioavailable form, crucial for oxygen transport and preventing fatigue.
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High in vitamin B12, B6, and niacin, which support red blood cell production, brain function, and mitochondrial energy metabolism.
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B vitamins in beef also assist in homocysteine metabolism, supporting heart and brain health.
📚 McAfee et al., 2010 – Lean red meat contributes significantly to daily iron and B-vitamin intake, improving energy levels.
🧠 3. Nutrients for Brain and Mood Health
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Provides creatine, taurine, and carnosine, which improve brain energy, reduce oxidative stress, and support cognitive function.
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Supplies choline, important for neurotransmitter synthesis (acetylcholine), supporting focus and memory.
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Natural source of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), supporting mitochondrial and cardiovascular health.
🦴 4. Collagen-Supportive Amino Acids
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Beef contains glycine and proline, amino acids that support joint, tendon, and gut health.
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These amino acids promote collagen production, making beef-based meals beneficial for connective tissue repair and skin health.
⚖️ 5. Satiety & Blood Sugar Stability
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The combination of protein and natural fats in beef keeps you full for hours, preventing cravings.
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Helps stabilize blood sugar by slowing digestion and reducing insulin spikes — ideal for low-carb and keto lifestyles.
✅ Bottom Line:
Beef in Big Mac Meatballs provides:
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High-quality protein for muscle and metabolism
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Iron, zinc, and B vitamins for energy and mood
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Glycine and collagen precursors for joint and gut health
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Long-lasting satiety and blood sugar stability
🍔 It’s not just comfort food—it’s nutrient-dense, bioavailable fuel for performance, recovery, and longevity.
WHERE TO GET INGREDIENTS FOR BIG MAC MEATBALLS
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Big Mac Meatballs
Ingredients
MEATBALLS:
- 2 pounds 95% lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce (or Primal Kitchen Ketchup)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard (or Dijon mustard)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Redmond Real salt (or fish sauce)
OPTIONAL:
- 3/4 cup cheddar cheese shredded
SPECIAL SAUCE:
- 1/2 cup Maria's Favorite Mayo (or Primal Kitchen mayo)
- 1/4 cup Dill Pickles chopped
- 3 tablespoons tomato sauce (or Primal Kitchen Ketchup)
- 2 tablespoons powdered allulose (or 1/2 teaspoon stevia glycerite)
- 1/8 teaspoon fish sauce (OPTIONAL)
GARNISH:
- 2 tablespoons Toasted sesame seeds
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, garlic, eggs, tomato sauce, mustard, fish sauce or salt and cheese if using.
- Form the mixture into 1 1/2 inch meatballs. Arrange the meatballs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 17-20 minutes, or until cooked to your liking. I like a little pink inside my meatballs.
- While the meatballs cook, make the special sauce. Place all the ingredients for the special sauce into a medium bowl. Stir well to combine. Taste and and adjust sweetness to your liking. Set aside.
- Serve the Big Mac Meatballs with special sauce and a garnish of shredded lettuce and toasted sesame seeds.
- Store the meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, place in a preheated 350°F oven for about 3 minutes, until heated through.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
TESTIMONY OF THE DAY
“Hello Craig, Maria, Kai and Micah!
My journey to a healthy sized body has been a long one. Always the fattest kid in grade school, high school, and college, my life was typically an unhappy one as a young adult.
I ate the standard American diet my whole life with bouts of diet struggles until I learned about 5 years ago that I was a sugar addict. My weight topped out at 260 lbs and at only 5’4” I was unhealthy to say the least.
Enter Maria, Craig and PSMF (protein sparing modified fasting)!
I feel better now at 71 than I have my whole life! I have energy & stamina that I never knew possible and cannot accurately express my gratitude! Thank you so much Maria and Craig Emmerich!” Janet
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