The best frozen meatballs will taste homemade and leave your guests believing that you spent hours in the kitchen preparing them.
The best thing about using any of these frozen meatballs is that you can use them for virtually any dish that calls for meatballs, and no one will be able to tell the difference.
If your recipe calls for meatballs, we guarantee you won’t go wrong if you choose one of these 8 best frozen meatballs on our list.
Reviews of the 8 Best Frozen Meatballs
1. Best Overall Pick: Farm Rich Homestyle Meatballs
ONE SERVING: 6 meatballs (85g), 260 calories, 11g protein, 21g fat, 9g saturated fat, 500mg sodium, 8g carbs, 3g sugars
The Farm Rich Homestyle Meatballs are our choice for the best overall frozen meatballs because they are made from simple ingredients and full of flavor and protein. Beef, pork, breadcrumbs, and seasonings are the main ingredients of the homestyle meatballs.
They are available in 26oz, 28oz, 44oz, and 60oz, allowing you to choose the exact size bag for the number of meatballs you need for your dish. The meatballs can be either microwaved, baked in an oven, cooked on a stovetop, cooked in an air fryer, or heated in a slow cooker.
Pros
- Large serving size of 6
- Available in different size bags
- Simple and quality ingredients
- Relatively low in carbs
Cons
- High in sodium (500mg)
2. Best Budget Pick: Great Value Homestyle Meatballs
ONE SERVING: 6 meatballs (85g), 290 calories, 14g protein, 23g fat, 9g saturated fat, 530mg sodium, 8g carbs, 4g sugars
The best frozen meatballs for those on a budget are the Great Value Homestyle Meatballs (32 oz). They are made of a combination of beef and pork with breadcrumbs, seasonings, and spices for flavor.
You can cook the meatballs on a stovetop, in an oven, in a microwave, or a slow cooker. The 32oz bag of Great Value frozen meatballs can be found exclusively at Wal-Mart for less than $5 a bag.
Pros
- Good source of protein
- Large serving size (6 meatballs)
- Affordable
- Large quantity (32 ounces)
- Versatile and easy to use in most meatball recipes
Cons
- High in sodium, fat, and added sugars
3. Best Premium Choice: Pure Land America USDA Certified Organic Grass-Fed Beef Meatballs
ONE SERVING: 3 meatballs (85g), 210 calories, 14g protein, 14g fat, 6g saturated fat, 340mg sodium, 6g carbs, 0 sugars
The Pure Land America Meatballs are our choice for the best premium frozen meatballs because they are USDA certified organic and made of grass-fed beef. The ingredients are simple and basic, with no added fillers, preservatives, or sugars.
Grass-fed beef means the animal ate only grass and forages for its lifetime and didn’t eat any corn or corn-based feed. Not only does this make the meat taste better, but it’s also a healthier option because corn and corn-based food can often cause adverse reactions, like inflammation and digestive issues.
The frozen meatballs can be cooked in a conventional oven, in a microwave, on a stovetop, or in a slow cooker.
Pros
- USDA certified organic and made of grass-fed beef
- Great source of protein (14g)
- Made from organic, simple, and natural ingredients
- No sugars or added sugars
- Low in sodium and saturated fats
Cons
- Relatively small bag (14 ounces)
4. Johnsonville Homestyle Meatballs
ONE SERVING: 3 meatballs (73g), 290 calories, 9g protein, 26g fat, 9g saturated fat, 580g sodium, 5g carbs, 1g sugar
The Johnsonville Homestyle Meatballs are made completely of pork with no other meat additives or fillers. The pork is mixed with breadcrumbs, spices, and dehydrated peppers and onions to create a full flavor product. There are no artificial colors or flavors, no MSG, no nitrates, and no dairy in the ingredients of the meatballs.
The meatballs have a relatively low amount of protein compared to similar products. Because they are made completely of pork, they contain higher amounts of fat and sodium.
The meatballs can be cooked in an oven, on a stovetop, in a microwave, or a slow cooker.
Pros
- Simple and natural ingredients with no artificial colors or flavors
- Low sugar (1g)
- Low carb (5g)
- Can be thawed and stored in a refrigerator for 5 days
Cons
- Relatively low protein (9g)
- Small serving size (3 meatballs)
5. Cooked Perfect Homestyle Meatballs
ONE SERVING: 6 meatballs (85g), 210 calories, 14g protein, 15g fat, 4.5g saturated fat, 590mg sodium, 6g carb, 4g sugar
The Cooked Perfect Homestyle Meatballs are roughly ½ ounce, which makes them ideal for appetizers and sliders. You can even use them in spaghetti dishes if your guests prefer smaller meatballs.
They come in three sizes: 14oz, 32oz, and 64oz. This makes it ideal to choose the exact number of meatballs you need for your recipe.
The meatballs are a combination of chicken, pork, and beef with various spices, seasonings, and bread crumbs. They can be cooked in the microwave, in an oven, on the stovetop, or in a slow cooker.
Pros
- The small size makes them more versatile
- Great source of protein (14g)
- Large serving size (6 meatballs)
- Lower in fat than comparable brands (15g)
Cons
- High in sodium and added sugars
6. Good and Gather Beef Meatballs
ONE SERVING: 6 meatballs (85g), 260 calories, 15g protein, 21g fat, 9g saturated fat, 520mg sodium, 6g carbs, 0 sugars
Good and Gather is a Target-exclusive brand that was created in 2019. The Good and Gather Beef Meatballs are made of 100% beef with dehydrated onion, pepper, garlic, breadcrumbs, and other seasonings. However, they do contain dairy through the cheese and pasteurized milk ingredients.
The bag is 26oz and contains approximately 52 regular-size meatballs. You can use them for any dish. Spaghetti, appetizers, or sandwiches are crowd favorites, but the possibilities are virtually endless with beef meatballs.
The meatballs are fully cooked and require heating in a conventional oven, on a stovetop, in a slow cooker, or a microwave.
Pros
- Zero added sugar
- Great source of protein (15g)
- Large serving size (6 meatballs)
- Made of 100% beef with no fillers
Cons
- Only found at target
- Contains dairy
7. Mama Lucia Italian Style Bite-Size Meatballs
ONE SERVING: 6 meatballs (85g), 210 calories, 12g protein, 15g fat, 6g saturated fat, 630mg sodium, 7g carbs, 3g sugar
The Mama Lucia Italian Style Bite-Size Meatballs are perfect to use in spaghetti, meatball subs, meatball sliders, or casseroles. They are small ½-ounce meatballs that are perfect for any Italian dish. They are made of a combination of beef, pork, and turkey, with a variety of seasonings, dehydrated onion, and dairy enzymes.
The meatballs are fully cooked and can be heated on a stovetop, in an oven, in a slow cooker, or a microwave.
Pros
- Italian flavor and seasoning makes them ideal for any Italian dish
- Bite-size is versatile to use for big and small dishes
- Can be found at most grocery stores
- No MSG
Cons
- Contains soy and dairy
- High sodium (630mg)
8. Lightlife Smart Menu Plant-Based Meatballs
ONE SERVING: 3 meatballs (76g), 100 calories, 13g protein, 1.5g fat, 0 saturated fat, 370mg sodium, 9g carbs, 1g sugar
We wanted to make sure we included a plant-based option on our list of best frozen meatballs, and that’s why we chose the Lightlife Smart Menu Plant-Based Meatballs.
Just because they are plant-based doesn’t mean they lack in protein. They are actually packed with a great source of protein with minimal fat, calories, and sugar.
The Lightlife plant-based meatballs are made of water, soy, tomatoes, spices, and dehydrated vegetables. They are a great option for those who are vegetarians or limiting their overall amount of red-meat consumption. They are Certified Vegan and Non-GMO verified.
Pros
- Low fat (1.5g and 0 saturated fat)
- Relatively low sodium (370mg)
- 100 calories per serving size (3 meatballs)
- Great source of protein (13g)
- Great flavor
Cons
- Small quantity (8oz bag)
- Contains soy
The Best Frozen Meatballs Ultimate Buying Guide
A lot can go into choosing the best meatballs. You want them to be flavorful but not filled with fillers or hidden ingredients. You want them to be good for you but not break the bank.
So, how do you choose the best meatballs?
We’ve got you covered. These are some of the things to look for when deciding what meatballs are best.
Avoid Fillers or Other Hidden Ingredients
Fillers are non-nutritional additives combined with meat or other proteins to create more of a product for a lesser cost. Fillers are how companies can create a large quantity of food and sell them at a budget price.
Fillers should be avoided because they have no nutritional value and often contain chemicals or other artificial ingredients.
Avoid Soy in Meatless Options
Plant-based meatballs give vegans and vegetarians the option to enjoy meatball recipes without having to sacrifice flavor. Unfortunately, many meatless meatballs contain soy, which can cause various health issues. Soy contains estrogen-like enzymes that can affect the body.
Evidence of health issues caused by soy includes an increased risk of infertility, thyroid disorders, and an increased risk of cancer cell growth.
Try to choose a meatless option that contains very little or no soy if possible.
Look for Low Amounts of Sodium
Small amounts of sodium in moderation is generally safe to consume. It is only when you consume too much sodium over time that you can have an increased risk of heart issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, or an increased risk of a heart attack.
Sodium is found in many foods and drinks, so it can be easy to quickly reach your daily sodium intake. Choosing low sodium options will prevent you from hitting your daily sodium allowance, which will reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure and other heart-related issues.
Look for Low Amount of Saturated Fats
A nutrition label will have the fat and saturated fat content listed, so it’s important to know the difference between them.
The fat content will include both saturated and unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats are liquid fats typically found in plants, while saturated fats are solid fats found in animals.
Too many saturated fats can raise your LDL cholesterol, increasing your risk of heart attack, heart disease, or other cardiovascular issues.
Try to limit your daily saturated fat intake by choosing meatballs that are low in saturated fat.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Frozen Meatballs
No Added Ingredients
Make sure that the meatballs have no added ingredients, such as artificial flavors, fillers, and MSG. Added ingredients can add non-nutritional calories to your daily caloric intake.
They can also contain chemicals or other unnatural components that can increase your risk of developing cancer or other health issues.
Is it Suitable for your Religion/Dietary Requirements?
Many diets and religions prohibit certain ingredients from being consumed, so you will need to consider any restrictions or requirements that your diet or religion allows when looking at the ingredients of the meatballs.
Cooking Preparations
You will need to make sure you can cook the meatballs according to the appliance you have or that they are safe to prepare in the method you choose.
Conclusion & Recap of Our Top Choice
Frozen meatballs are ideal to use for any recipe that calls for meatballs because they are full of flavor and made of quality-rated ingredients.
This is why we chose the Farm Rich Homestyle Meatballs as the best overall choice for frozen meatballs. They are made of simple quality ingredients and come in different size bags so that you can choose the exact number of meatballs you need for your recipe.
