Quick Answer
Yes, you can absolutely eat turkey balls! Turkey balls, also known as turkey meatballs, are a tasty and nutritious meatball made from ground turkey meat. They make a great appetizer or meal and can be prepared baked or fried and paired with various sauces and sides. Turkey balls are a lean, protein-rich alternative to beef or pork-based meatballs.
What are turkey balls?
Turkey balls, as the name suggests, are meatballs made from ground turkey meat. Ground turkey thigh meat is often used to make turkey balls as it has more fat content compared to turkey breast meat, resulting in juicier, more flavorful meatballs.
Turkey balls are similar to classic beef or pork meatballs, but provide less fat and calories per serving. Ground turkey can be seasoned and shaped into balls, then baked or pan-fried until fully cooked. Popular seasonings used in turkey meatballs include garlic, onion, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Are turkey balls healthy?
Turkey balls are a very healthy meatball option. Here are some of the health benefits of choosing turkey meatballs:
– Lower in fat and calories – Turkey is a lean meat with around 13g of fat and 165 calories per 4oz serving, compared to 20g of fat and 295 calories in the same serving of ground beef. Turkey balls help decrease your intake of saturated fat and calories versus other meats.
– Rich in protein – 4oz of ground turkey contains around 21g of protein. Turkey balls provide an excellent source of filling protein.
– Provide key nutrients – Turkey balls supply important nutrients like B vitamins, zinc, selenium and phosphorus.
– Versatile ingredient – Ground turkey works well mixed into meatballs, burgers, meatloaf and more, allowing you to limit red meat in your diet.
So overall, turkey balls are one of the healthiest choices when it comes to meatballs and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced, nutritious diet. Moderation is still key, but turkey balls are generally lower in fat and calories than other meats.
Do turkey balls taste good?
Yes, turkey meatballs can taste quite delicious when seasoned and cooked properly! The key things to keep in mind for flavorful turkey balls include:
– Use thigh meat – Turkey thigh meat has more natural fat and moisture than breast meat, resulting in more tender, juicy meatballs.
– Season well – Don’t be shy with seasoning turkey balls. Use generous amounts of salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, oregano, parsley and garlic powder. Let the mixture sit so the flavors develop.
– Add binders – Incorporating breadcrumbs or eggs into the ground turkey mixture helps keep turkey balls tender and adds moisture.
– Cook properly – Pan fry, bake or broil turkey balls until browned on the outside and cooked through on the inside. This enhances the flavor and texture.
– Use flavorful sauces – Serve turkey balls with tomato sauce, pesto, gravy or other saucy toppings to add extra flavor.
With proper preparation and cooking, turkey meatballs can have quite a wonderful flavor and pleasingly tender texture. If dryness is an issue, incorporating binders, sauce and not overcooking can help. Overall, yes turkey balls can absolutely taste delicious!
How do you make turkey balls?
Making flavorful, juicy turkey meatballs at home is easy to do. Here is a simple step-by-step guide:
Ingredients:
– 1 lb ground turkey (preferably thigh meat)
– 1/4 cup breadcrumbs or panko
– 1 egg
– 1/4 cup onion, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, onions, garlic, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together well until fully combined.
2. Form the turkey mixture into balls, about 1.5-2 tablespoons of meat per ball. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate as you form them.
3. To cook the turkey balls, you can either bake them or pan fry:
– Bake at 400°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway
– Pan fry over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, turning frequently
4. Turkey balls are fully cooked when they register 165°F internally with a meat thermometer.
5. Serve turkey meatballs warm on their own, over pasta or rice, or with sauce, grated Parmesan and chopped parsley if desired.
That’s it! With this easy recipe, you can make flavorful and healthier turkey meatballs at home to enjoy in endless ways. Adjust any seasonings to taste and cook until properly browned on the outside and cooked through.
What are some serving ideas for turkey balls?
Turkey meatballs are very versatile and can be served in many delicious ways, including:
– Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs – Toss cooked turkey balls with tomato sauce and pasta for a classic meal. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
– Turkey Meatball Subs – Place turkey balls in a hoagie roll with sauce and cheese for a hearty sandwich.
– Turkey Meatball Soup – Simmer turkey balls in chicken or vegetable broth with veggies for a soothing soup.
– Baked Turkey Meatballs – Bake turkey balls in a tomato basil sauce or barbecue sauce for tender meatballs.
– Swedish Meatball Style – Serve pan fried turkey balls with a creamy mushroom gravy and mashed potatoes.
– Turkey Meatball Kebabs – Alternate turkey balls and vegetables like onions and bell peppers on skewers.
– Appetizer Meatballs – Prepare bite-sized turkey meatballs and serve with a dipping sauce for an easy appetizer.
– Turkey Meatball Banh Mi – Use turkey meatballs in a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich with quick pickled veggies.
So get creative with various global flavors, sauces, sides and serving methods! Turkey meatballs are endlessly adaptable to suit your tastes.
Can you freeze turkey meatballs?
Yes, turkey meatballs freeze very well and can be stored frozen for up to 3 months. Freezing is a great way to prep a batch of turkey balls in advance or have them on hand anytime.
Here are some tips for freezing turkey meatballs:
– Let meatballs cool fully after cooking before freezing so they don’t raise the temperature of the freezer.
– Arrange cooked meatballs in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate and freeze until solid, about 2 hours. Then transfer to resealable freezer bags.
– Seal bags removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label bags with the date and contents.
– For best quality, use frozen turkey meatballs within 3 months. Use within 1-2 days after defrosting.
– To defrost, place frozen meatballs in the refrigerator overnight. Do not thaw at room temperature or in the microwave.
– Before serving, reheat thawed turkey meatballs gently in the oven, in sauce, or in the microwave until heated through.
Freezing cooked turkey meatballs allows you to enjoy them whenever the craving strikes! It’s simple and preserves them well for future meals and convenience.
Conclusion
In summary, turkey meatballs are a tasty and healthier alternative to classic beef and pork meatballs. Turkey thigh meat can be used to make flavorful, juicy turkey balls when properly seasoned and cooked. Turkey meatballs are lower in fat and calories than other ground meats and provide an excellent source of lean protein.
Turkey balls have a delicious flavor, especially when using flavor boosting ingredients. They can be baked, pan-fried, added to pastas, subs, soups and more for versatile, nutritious meals. And turkey meatballs freeze beautifully for enjoying weeks later. So yes, turkey meatballs are absolutely delicious and nutritious. Feel free to enjoy these protein-packed turkey balls on any occasion!