Beyond Meat Italian Meatballs: 18g Protein per 3 oz, Labelgrade B
B 76 / 100 — Beyond's pre-rolled plant-based meatball alternative. Leaner than Beyond Burger on saturated fat (2g vs 5g per serving) because it uses less coconut oil. 18g protein per 3 oz hits real-meatball numbers. Same elevated sodium pattern as the rest of the Beyond family — 360mg per serving.
🛒 Buy on Amazon →The short answer
Beyond Meat Italian Meatballs deliver 18 g of protein per 3 oz (85 g) serving at 200 calories (USDA FDC 1869600) — about 21 g per 100 g, denser than traditional beef meatballs (~18 g per 100 g). The protein base is pea protein isolate; the meatball shape and “Italian” branding come from the seasoning blend (garlic, onion, tomato powder, Italian herbs) and the pre-rolled format. The Labelgrade is B (76 / 100): solid protein density and very low saturated fat (just 2 g per serving vs Beyond Burger’s 5 g), earned with a 23-ingredient panel and the now-familiar elevated sodium (360 mg per serving — a Beyond-family trait, not specific to meatballs). Best-fit use case: pasta sauces, meatball subs, baked Italian dishes where you want plant-based protein without changing the recipe much.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | B+ | 82 / 100 | 21 g per 100 g — denser than traditional beef meatballs. Pea protein isolate provides complete amino-acid coverage |
| Ingredient quality | B- | 70 / 100 | 23 ingredients, all recognizable. Carrageenan, methylcellulose, maltodextrin, palm oil flagged. No artificial colors or flavors |
| Saturated fat load | A- | 85 / 100 | 2 g per serving (~2.4 g per 100 g) — very low. The leanest of the Beyond family because the meatball format uses less coconut oil than the burger or brat |
| Sodium load | D | 53 / 100 | 360 mg per serving, ~423 mg per 100 g — meaningful. Two servings (~10 meatballs) approach 720 mg, which is real load even before sauce/bread is added |
| Sugar load | A+ | 100 / 100 | 0 g of sugar — perfect for a savory product |
| Fiber | C- | 55 / 100 | 3 g per serving — moderate, from pea protein and apple fiber inclusion |
| Overall | B | 76 / 100 | The leanest plant-based meatball alternative we’ve graded. The best fit when you want plant-based meatballs in an existing pasta/Italian recipe without a calorie or fat penalty vs animal-derived meatballs |
How it compares
| Product | Protein per 100 g | Saturated fat | Sodium per 100 g | Cholesterol | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beyond Italian Meatballs (this product) | 21 g | 2.4 g | 423 mg | 0 mg | 23 |
| Traditional beef meatballs (homemade, no sauce) | ~18 g | ~4.5 g | ~450 mg | ~70 mg | 5-7 |
| Beyond Burger patty | 18 g | 4.4 g | 345 mg | 0 mg | 23 |
| Beyond Brat (sausage) | 21 g | 7 g | 658 mg | 0 mg | 14 |
| Field Roast Italian Sausage | 27 g | 0 g | 587 mg | 0 mg | 18 |
| Plain chicken breast (100 g cooked) | 31 g | 1 g | ~75 mg | 85 mg | 1 |
Among the Beyond family, Italian Meatballs are the leanest (lowest saturated fat) and tie with Beyond Brat for densest protein. Against traditional beef meatballs, Beyond wins on protein density and saturated fat; loses on ingredient simplicity. Against Field Roast (a competing plant-based product), Field Roast is denser in protein and has zero saturated fat (no coconut/palm oil) but is harder to find in mainstream grocery.
Whole-food equivalent
One 3 oz serving (~5 meatballs, 18 g protein) ≈ 58 g of cooked chicken breast (about 2 oz). Or roughly 3 large eggs. The meatballs win on form factor for Italian-style cooking; the chicken wins on ingredient simplicity and lower sodium.
Scope
This page covers Beyond Meat Italian Meatballs in the 9 oz / 255 g 12-meatball pack (UPC 852629004248, USDA FDC 1869600). Beyond also makes a separate Beyond Meatballs (Italian Style, 10 oz) product with very similar macros but slightly different format/seasoning. Per-100-g protein is consistent across the meatball products at ~20-21 g; serving sizes and Labelgrade vary slightly. Beyond’s broader product family (Burger, Brat, Chicken Strips, Sausage) is covered on each respective page.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
Water, pea protein isolate, expeller-pressed canola oil, palm oil, carrageenan, yeast extract, methylcellulose, garlic powder, maltodextrin, potassium bicarbonate, spices, potassium chloride, onion powder, sorbitol, calcium chloride, tomato powder, caramel color, tapioca starch, salt, natural flavoring, calcium sulfate, sunflower oil, sugars.
Where to buy
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Quick Facts
Per serving · 3 oz (85 g) — ~5 meatballs
852629004248Full nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving (3 oz (85 g) — ~5 meatballs) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 200 |
| Protein | 18g |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 6g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g |
| Total Sugars | 0g |
| Added Sugars | 0g |
| Sodium | 360mg |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Calcium | 100mg |
| Iron | 0.7mg |
Scope: This page applies specifically to Beyond Meat Italian Meatballs (9 oz (255 g) — 12-meatball pack) · UPC 852629004248. Other sizes, flavors, or formulations may differ.
How this fits each diet
Each score is computed from the same USDA nutrition + ingredient data, against the published rules of each diet. They tell you "does this food fit this diet" — not whether the diet is right for you.
contains no listed animal products
contains no listed meat or fish
no wheat, barley, rye, or malt detected in USDA ingredient list
Frequently Asked Questions
How much protein is in Beyond Meat Italian Meatballs?
18 g of protein per 3 oz (85 g) serving — about 21 g per 100 g (USDA FDC 1869600). For comparison, traditional beef meatballs deliver ~18 g per 100 g, so Beyond is denser per gram. The protein is pea protein isolate (the same base as Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage).
How does it compare to real Italian meatballs?
Per 3 oz serving: Beyond 200 cal / 18 g protein / 2 g sat fat / 360 mg sodium / 0 mg cholesterol. Traditional beef meatballs (homemade): ~210 cal / 15 g protein / 4 g sat fat / 380 mg sodium / 60 mg cholesterol. Beyond wins on protein density and saturated fat; loses on ingredient simplicity (23 items vs 5-7 in a homemade meatball).
How many meatballs per serving?
About 5 meatballs make up the 3 oz / 85 g serving. The 9 oz package contains 12 pre-rolled meatballs, so roughly 2.4 servings per pack. Cooking notes from Beyond: skillet cook over medium-low to medium heat for 7-8 minutes, turning continuously; or oven-bake at 375°F for 12-13 minutes, turning halfway.
Why does it have palm oil?
Palm oil is one of three fats in the formulation (alongside canola and sunflower oils). Palm contributes to the texture — meatballs need to hold their round shape during cooking and palm oil's slightly higher melting point helps. The amount per serving is small (sub-2g of palm oil specifically). Sustainability-conscious users should note this; Beyond doesn't currently label this palm oil as RSPO-certified.
What makes this 'Italian-style'?
The seasoning blend: garlic powder, onion powder, tomato powder, spices (Italian herb blend, likely oregano + basil), and salt. The base patty/meatball mix is the same pea-protein base Beyond uses across products. Different seasoning + a meatball shape = 'Italian-style' branding.
How does it stack against Beyond Burger and Beyond Brat?
Per 100 g: Beyond Italian Meatballs (21 g protein, 2 g sat fat, 423 mg sodium), Beyond Burger (18 g protein, 4.4 g sat fat, 345 mg sodium), Beyond Brat (21 g protein, 7 g sat fat, 658 mg sodium). Meatballs are the leanest of the three on fat and densest on protein. Brat is highest in sodium (a sausage-category trait). Burger sits in the middle.
Is it keto?
6 g total carbs minus 3 g fiber = 3 g net carbs per serving. Within the keto threshold of ≤5 g net carbs. Macro split is 54% fat / 12% carbs / 36% protein by calories — slightly carb-heavier than ideal keto but workable. Pair with low-carb sauce (not sweet marinara) to maintain net-carb target.
How does the sodium affect daily intake?
360 mg per 5-meatball serving = ~16% of the FDA 2,300 mg daily limit. A typical meatball meal (10 meatballs in pasta sauce + bread) brings the sodium load above 1,200 mg quickly. For DASH-level low-sodium diets, this isn't the right product. For general use it's manageable but worth noting.