Healthy Turkey Meatballs, Veggie Turkey Meatball Recipe | Produce For Kids (2024)

Healthy Turkey Meatballs, Veggie Turkey Meatball Recipe | Produce For Kids (1)

Give a family favorite a healthy makeover! These meatballs are packed with veggies and made with turkey, to give them a healthy spin. Serve with veggie rice for a delicious dinner or as a fun appetizer.

Nutrition Tip: Ground turkey is an affordable, easy-to-find source of protein, with nutrients like iron and zinc that growing kids need. Veggies and whole-grain breadcrumbs make these a good source of fiber too.

Got picky eaters that don’t want to eat their veggies? This recipe might help! Our Hidden Veggie Turkey Meatballs are so tasty that we’re betting your family won’t even realize there are veggies inside at all.

Meatballs are a classic comfort food that many families love. However, they are often laden with unhealthy ingredients and can be a challenge to fit into a balanced diet. The good news is that with a few simple swaps and the addition of some hidden veggies, you can transform this beloved dish into a healthier version that both kids and adults will enjoy. These meatballs are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making them an ideal choice for a wholesome meal or a delightful appetizer. Let’s dive into the recipe and learn more about the nutritional benefits they offer.

The Power of Hidden Veggies

Healthy Turkey Meatballs, Veggie Turkey Meatball Recipe | Produce For Kids (2)

Getting kids (and even some adults) to eat their vegetables can be a struggle. However, by cleverly incorporating veggies into dishes, you can increase their nutrient intake without them even realizing it. This recipe takes advantage of the natural sweetness and vibrant colors of vegetables, using a blend of sweet onion, baby carrots, and sweet peppers. These veggies are pureed or finely chopped, making them virtually undetectable while adding valuable vitamins, minerals, and fiber to the meatballs.

Pro tip: If you choose to finely chop your veggies, remember that the finer you can chop them the better! The goal after all is to keep the veggies hidden.

The Healthy Twist: Turkey and Whole-Wheat Breadcrumbs

Traditional meatballs often rely on higher-fat meats like beef or pork, but this recipe swaps them out for lean ground turkey. Turkey is a fantastic source of protein and contains essential nutrients such as iron and zinc. By choosing lean turkey, you reduce the overall fat content while still providing a satisfying and flavorful protein source.

To further enhance the nutritional profile, whole-wheat breadcrumbs are used instead of the refined white variety. Whole-wheat breadcrumbs offer additional fiber, which aids in digestion, helps maintain a healthy weight, and supports heart health. The combination of lean turkey and whole-wheat breadcrumbs ensures these meatballs are not only tasty but also nutrient-dense.

Sesame Ginger Dressing: A Burst of Flavor

Healthy Turkey Meatballs, Veggie Turkey Meatball Recipe | Produce For Kids (3)

The meatballs are taken to the next level by tossing them in a delightful sesame ginger dressing. This dressing adds a burst of flavor and brings the dish together. However, be mindful of the amount used to control the sodium content. Feel free to adjust the quantity or seek out a lower-sodium dressing option to suit your preferences.

Serving Suggestion: Veggie Rice

To complete the meal, these Hidden Veggie Turkey Meatballs are served over a bed of cooked brown rice. Brown rice is a nutritious alternative to white rice, as it retains the bran and germ layers, offering additional fiber, vitamins, and minerals. By opting for brown rice, you create a well-rounded and balanced dish that will leave you feeling satisfied and nourished.

You could also try our cilantro lime cauliflower rice if you want to get more veggies in.

Let’s make these Hidden Veggie Turkey Meatballs!

Healthy Turkey Meatballs, Veggie Turkey Meatball Recipe | Produce For Kids (4)

Hidden Veggie Turkey Meatballs

Amanda Keefer

These meatballs are packed with veggies and made with turkey, to give them a healthy spin.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Entree & Main Dishes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 512 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 small sweet onion quartered
  • 4 ounces baby carrots
  • 4 mini sweet peppers
  • 1 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 1 cup sesame ginger dressing
  • 6 cups cooked brown rice

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.

  • Place onion, carrots and peppers in food processor and blend until smooth. Alternatively, finely chop ingredients by hand.

  • Combine bread crumbs, egg, turkey and veggie mixture in bowl, mix well. Form mixture into 24 golf ball-sized meatballs.

  • Place in baking dish and bake for 25 minutes or until slightly browned and meat is no longer pink.

  • Remove from oven and toss with dressing. Serve over 1 cup brown rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 512kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 24gFat: 17gSodium: 394mgFiber: 5g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Healthy Turkey Meatballs, Veggie Turkey Meatball Recipe | Produce For Kids (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep vegetable meatballs from falling apart? ›

Roll your meatballs in flour

Roll the finished meatballs in plain flour before frying. This is, hands down, one of the easiest ways I've discovered to prevent meatballs from falling apart when cooking.

Why are meatballs good for children? ›

Meatballs are a healthy, tasty protein source your tot can start enjoying soon after starting solids. Make a big batch and freeze them for fast meals your mini muncher will always be happy to gobble up.

Why are my Turkey Meatballs falling apart? ›

Because meat shrinks when cooked, mince proteins are likely to separate and crumble unless bound together. Whether it's breadcrumbs or egg (or both), or simply salt, binding the mince is a crucial step in maintaining the softness of your meatballs while preventing them from falling apart.

Do meatballs need a binder? ›

You want them firm enough so they don't fall apart when cooking, while still keeping a tender, juicy texture. That is why it is key to use a binder or two.

Which meat is better for kids? ›

Not only is chicken delicious, but it is also one of the healthiest meats you can eat. This isn't just because it is extremely lean, and therefore low in harmful fats — chicken is also loaded with phosphorous and calcium.

Which meat is good for kids? ›

Chicken: Chicken is also an excellent source of protein. Chicken provides children with better growth and development because it contains a lot of amino acids, helping children to grow taller and healthier. Meat: Red meat such as beef, lamb and pork should be consumed in smaller quantities.

What kind of meat is good for kids? ›

These foods provide protein and iron for growth and development. Red meat such as beef, lamb and pork contain iron, offer them 3 times a week. Give meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans or nuts to your child at each of their 2 main meals every day.

Is milk or egg better for meatballs? ›

Egg is used as a binding agent, and some type of bread crumb or cracker is added to give meatballs a bit more depth. When it comes to adding liquid to meatball mixtures, milk is often used for its versatility, depth of flavor, and richness. Without the use of milk, you may be faced with a plate of dry meatballs.

Can I use mayo instead of eggs in meatballs? ›

Yes. There are recipes that call for plain yogurt and mayonnaise instead of eggs. But keep in mind that mayonnaise is made with eggs. If someone has an egg allergy you should not use mayonnaise.

Should I roll my meatballs in flour before baking? ›

A traditional size for this sort of meatball is 2 to 3 inches across, but you can make them any size you want. Once you roll the meatball in your hands, roll it in the flour to give it a good coating. Set each one on a baking sheet as you work.

Why are turkey meatballs mushy? ›

Ground turkey has a finer texture than beef or pork which means it needs structure to prevent it from becoming mushy. Switching from breadcrumbs to panko aids against mushy meatballs because the breadcrumbs are larger. The finer consistency of ground turkey also means the it has a harder time holding onto moisture.

How to know when turkey meatballs are done? ›

Bake. Cook the turkey Meatballs at 375 degrees F for 15 Mmnutes for a 1 1/2-inch meatball, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer. When you cut into a meatball, it should be cooked through.

Why are my turkey meatballs dry? ›

Ground turkey: You need a bit of fat in the meat to give the meatballs moisture and flavor — so now isn't the time to reach for the leanest ground turkey you can find. Opt for ground turkey that's 93% lean/7% fat for the best results.

Why won't my meatballs stay together? ›

Home Cook World notes that if your non-meat ingredients are too large, they will keep the ground meat from binding together, and your meatball will fall apart.

What is a vegan binding agent for meatballs? ›

Aquafaba is the liquid from a carton of cooked garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas. All you do is strain the liquid from the beans into a bowl and that is your aquafaba. You can also create your own aquafaba egg replacer by soaking 1 cup of dried chickpeas in 3 cups of water overnight.

How do meatballs keep their shape? ›

For this reason, many recipes will include a binding ingredient like egg, and a filler like breadcrumbs. You only need a small amount of egg – it's there only to help the cooked meatball retain its shape, and shouldn't detract from the meat's flavour or texture.

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