Recipe: Kofta-style Turkey Meatballs
For a protein pairing to enjoy with dinner and extras to stash in your freezer, these Kofta-style turkey meatballs are an easy addition to your favorite sides that the whole family will love. Packed with fresh herbs and spices, they pair well with Mediterranean-style favorites, such as tzatziki, hummus, tabbouleh, rice, onion, and cucumber. A half batch feeds a family of 4, whereas the full batch feeds a larger family or serves as a make-ahead protein option to store for later use.
In addition to being a good source of lean protein, these meatballs are packed with antioxidants from the herbs and spices. Antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress in the body from free radicals. They promote cellular health, reduce risk of disease like cancer and heart disease, and combat inflammation, all while simply enhancing the flavor and satisfaction of this delicious dish!
Kofta-Style Turkey Meatballs
Serves 8 to 10
Ingredients
- 1/2 C rolled oats, finely ground*
- 2 eggs
- 2 shallots, minced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced (or 2 Tbsp minced garlic from a jar)
- 1/2 C parsley, minced (or 2 Tbsp dried parsley)
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 lb ground turkey (93/7 fat content)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 2 baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray or line with foil.
- Mix the ground oats, egg, garlic, shallots, parsley, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and olive oil in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the ground turkey and mix well with hands until combined. Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs using hands or a small cookie scoop and place on baking sheets.
- Bake in preheated oven until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve with roasted veggies or a side salad and pair with rice, tabbouleh, or hummus and pita.
- Store extras in an airtight container for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Tips:
- Use a blender or food processor to grind oats until broken down. Use the pulse feature on your blender or pause to shake the oats as they begin to settle while breaking down (this prevents overblending, which can lead to a thick paste).
- This recipe is designed to be divided in half: serve one half as a family-sized meal and freeze the other half for later. If preferred, you can also halve the recipe to make just one family-sized meal.
Recipe modified from: A Cedar Spoon
