How do you keep turkey meatball recipe from falling apart?
The ingredients you add to your meatballs is important, but how you mix your meatball ingredients together is equally crucial for creating the best turkey meatball recipe. Combing and massaging the ingredients with your hands will release heat. This results in the proteins to releasing from the turkey helping the mixture stick together while baking.
Meatballs always need a binder and filler. Eggs act as a binder holding all the ingredients together while breadcrumbs act as the filler preventing your meatballs from drying out. The breadcrumbs absorb the meat’s juices while baking. Having just the right amount of each will be what truly holds them together or not. One pound of meat only needs one egg and no more than 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs.
How do you add flavor to ground turkey?
Ground turkey seasoned with fresh aromatics is the best way to add flavor to the meat. This recipe includes white onion, fresh garlic, fresh jalapenos making them very flavor forward. Other things to consider adding are any fresh herbs, red bell peppers, or shallots. The chili flakes also give a little kick to the meatballs. The pistachios also help to bring texture and another level of flavor. I used my Cuisinart knives for effortlessly chopping up all of the vegetables included in this recipe. Here is the link for the set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016OD70Q8/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_KA86DT6XF04GKG34J249?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1. It comes in fun colors and includes a variety of knives for all your prepping and chopping needs.
These meatballs are served in a grain bowl over rice with radishes, arugula and cucumber. The homemade chili lime sauce that is drizzled over everything brings it all together and amplifies the flavor profile. The sauce also helps to ensure the meatballs are not served dried out.
Are turkey meatballs healthy for you?
Ground turkey is a lean ground meat that is packed with protein and low in saturated fat. Turkey has a variety of other healthy vitamins and minerals as well. Ground turkey is also low in calories if you are trying to lose weight. This turkey meatball recipe also includes pistachios which are bursting with fiber and antioxidants. Avocado provides healthy fats. The radishes, cucumbers and arugula give the opportunity to increase your vegetable intake as well. The rice gives you necessary carbohydrates and nutrients such as iron and B vitamins. This turkey meatball recipe is well balanced and highly nutritious.
Avocado pistachio turkey meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup pistachios, crushed
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp jalapeño, finely chopped
- 2 TBSP white onoin, minced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes
- salt and pepper, to taste
- jasmine rice, sliced cucumbers and radishes, arugula for serving
Chili lime sauce
- juice of 1 lime
- 2 TBSP soy sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 3 TBSP honey
- 1-2 tsp chili flakes more or less, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mash the avocado to smooth consistency. Chop jalapeño and onion to fine very small pieces. Mince the garlic. Crush the pistachios by using a food processor or by putting the pistachios into a plastic baggie and smashing with a meat tenderizer.
- In a large bowl beat the egg and add in chili flakes. Add in all remaining ingredients expect for the ground turkey. Stir to combine.
- Add the ground turkey to the mixture. Use your hands to massage and incorporate all ingredients together until well combined.
- Form the meatballs into 1 inch balls and place evenly apart from each other on the prepared baking sheet (should make about 24 meatballs)
- Bake for 15- 20 minutes until golden brown and crisped on the edges (internal temperature should be 165 degrees).
- While meatballs are baking , mix all of the chili lime sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk until combined or in a mason jar, cover and shake until combined.
- Serve the meatballs over a bed of jasmine rice, arugula, sliced cucumbers and spinach, generously drizzle chili lime sauce over everything. Enjoy!
