Turkey Meatballs in Dijon Gravy | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why are my turkey meatballs tough? ›

Meatballs get tough when they are overmixed. The mixing of meat causes the myosin in the muscles to form protein strands. These act like gluten in bread dough, trapping liquid and firming the texture. You want to mix the meatballs until the meat just starts to seem a little fibrous.

Ground beef and turkey are both nutritious meats that provide protein, fat, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Turkey is generally lower in saturated fat than beef. As such, it may be a better choice for heart health.

Per serving (4, 1-inch meatballs or 2, 2-inch meatballs): 177.6 calories; 6.3g total fat (1.4g saturated, 0.4g polyunsaturated, 0.4g monounsaturated); 249.6mg sodium; 86mg cholesterol; 7.5g carbohydrate; 0.4g fiber; 0.6g sugars; 23.3g protein; 29.2mg potassium.

Tenderizing the Meat:

As the collagen in the meat dissolves over time, it transforms into gelatin, which not only adds a silky texture to the sauce but also contributes to the overall richness and depth of flavor. The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become.

Place your carved meat in a shallow baking dish and cover it with stock. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in low oven, somewhere around 250 degrees, for 5-10 minutes. The dryness won't be entirely gone after this short broth bath, but the turkey will definitely be more moist than before.

Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

It contains vitamin B12, which helps support red blood cell formation, as well as zinc and iron, which help boost immunity. Turkey also provides a good dose of selenium, which has powerful antioxidant properties that help protect against disease.

Both chicken and turkey provide healthy protein. Generally, chicken tends to be higher in vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid, and turkey tends to be lower in calories, fat, and sodium while having more zinc, niacin, and vitamin B12.

So herewith, a sampling of the most blood-pressure-unfriendly foods to avoid over the Thanksgiving holiday. Red Meat: Stick to the turkey — the non-deep-fried turkey, that is — because a big 'ol steak registers high in fat, salt and calories.

If you're eating for a healthy heart, lean ground turkey—which is lower in saturated fat—is the better pick for you. Of course, you can still enjoy ground beef from time to time, but choosing lean ground turkey more often will help your heart in the long run.

Based on the rule of thumb regarding 6 ounces of meat per person, you will need 2 meatballs per person or 100 meatballs for 50 people. If you are serving meatballs as appetizers you probably want to make small co*cktail meatballs. The best size for appetizers are usually 1-inch meatballs.

How many meatballs is a meal? ›

A standard main course serving size is 6 ounces of meat per guest, or approximately 600 1-ounce meatballs, 400 1 1/2-ounce meatballs, 300 2-ounce meatballs and 200 3-ounce meatballs.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

Overworking will make the meatballs tough; handle it lightly and you'll have tender, juicy turkey meatballs every time. If your turkey meatballs are hard or rubbery, you likely overworked the meat or compacted them too tightly. Trust and Believe: Baking Is Best.

Egg and breadcrumbs are common mix-ins to add moisture and tenderness. Another binder option that people swear by is a panade, which is fresh or dry breadcrumbs that have been soaked in milk. “The soaked breadcrumbs help keep the proteins in the meat from shrinking,” as food writer Tara Holland explained in the Kitchn.

Lean meats, like ground turkey or very lean ground beef, can result in drier meatballs. Consider using a mix of lean and fattier meats, like a blend of ground beef with some ground pork or veal, for juicier meatballs. 2. **Overmixing**: Overmixing the meat mixture can lead to tough meatballs.

You can improve the texture of the meatballs by adding either a moistening ingredient or a moisture-retaining ingredient. Appropriate moistening ingredients include ice water, milk, tomato juice, broth and shredded vegetables or vegetable purees.