BBQ Turkey Meatballs

American, Appetizers, Snacks

 

BBQ Turkey Meatballs
This meatball is has a light texture not usually found in turkey or chicken meatballs. Combining it with bbq sauce makes this the perfect game-time snack!
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Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chicken, Comfort Food, Gluten-Free, Sauce, Tofu, Turkey
Servings: 7
Calories: 164kcal
Author: Adapted from Kay Chun, New York Times

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground turkey (or chicken)
  • ¾ cup firm tofu (crumbled, about 4 ounces)
  • ½ cup ricotta cheese (about 4 ounces)
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese (grated, about 1½ ounces)
  • ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs (Gluten Free crumbs work well too)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 garlic cloves (peeled and minced)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups bbq sauce (slightly more may be needed, if you like lots of sauce. Here is a link for a great, and fast, recipe recipe )

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°. Set aside a sheet pan (with sides) with parchment paper (or, see stovetop cooking instruction below)
  • In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, tofu, ricotta, Parmesan, bread crumbs, egg, and garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix until well combined 
  • Lightly wet your hands to prevent meatball mixture from sticking, then roll into 1½-inch/golf ball-size rounds, approximately ¾ ounce. Place these on the sheet pan. You’ll have approximately 35 meatballs. See other cooking tips below
  • Bake for approximately 9 minutes or until they’re cooked through, or, to an internal temperature of 165°
  • If you’re serving these immediately after baking, add the bbq sauce, and serve. If you’re making the meatballs in advance (up to 2 days), then gently heat them, and the sauce, on a medium-low heat in a covered saucepan on your stovetop until everything is heated through

Notes

Cooking Notes:
If you cook these on the stovetop, instead of in the oven, try this method:
  • Place a large skillet over a medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, add two tablespoons of oil to the pan, and then add the meatballs. Don’t crowd them tightly into the pan. You may need to do this in batches
Nutrition Facts
BBQ Turkey Meatballs
Serving Size
 
6 g
Amount per Serving
Calories
164
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
7
g
11
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Trans Fat
 
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Cholesterol
 
73
mg
24
%
Sodium
 
505
mg
22
%
Potassium
 
230
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
2
g
1
%
Fiber
 
0.3
g
1
%
Sugar
 
0.2
g
0
%
Protein
 
23
g
46
%
Vitamin A
 
186
IU
4
%
Vitamin C
 
0.3
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
162
mg
16
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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