Meatballs are easy to make, loaded with protein, and one of the most satisfying comfort foods around. Aside from using quality ingredients, the real key to making meatballs that rock is proper preparation. Meatballs should be juicy and flavorful, but most guys overwork the mixture and end up with chunks that are dry, dense, and generally unappealing. Combine the ingredients well, but gently—and don’t over-mix. This principle also applies when making hamburger patties.

These spicy turkey meatballs are great alone, but you can also serve them with rice, whole-wheat pasta, or fresh vegetables like snow peas. If you’re willing to take on the extra carbs (and then an extra workout), they also make a great meatball sub!

Ingredients

  • FOR THE MEATBALLS:
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp chives, minced
  • 1 tsp parsley, minced
  • 1 tsp sriracha (Thai hot sauce)
  • 2 egg whites, whipped
  • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 lb ground turkey or chicken breast
  • FOR THE SAUCE:
  • ½ cup light soy sauce
  • ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup cilantro leaves
  • ¼ cup basil leaves
  • ¼ cup mint leaves
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 lemon

Directions

  1. Mix together all meatball ingredients except ground meat and breadcrumbs.
  2. Add turkey and breadcrumbs to the mixture and combine gently with a spoon. Do not over-mix. Let rest in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes.
  3. Shape mixture into balls. Chef Tip: Don’t make them much bigger than golf balls or the centers will be cold and dry.
  4. Prepare your sauce. Place ingredients into blender and pulse to combine.
  5. Place 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a sauté pan and bring to a high temperature— you don’t want the oil to burn or smoke, but you want it hot enough to brown your meatballs.
  6. Add meatballs and allow them to brown on one side, then reduce heat and repeat process on all sides. Remove meatballs from sauté pan, place in baking dish or ovenproof pan, and finish in preheated 350º oven for 8–10 minutes.
  7. Once meatballs have finished baking, remove them from the oven and toss them in a bowl with half of your sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Want a copy on the go?
Print
Topics: