Turkish Meatballs

Turkish Meatballs are a delicious and simple meal that brings Mediterranean flavours to your kitchen. This recipe uses ground meat combined with warm spices to create a satisfying dish for any day of the week. You can serve them with rice, fresh salad or warm flatbread. They are quick to prepare and cook, making them ideal for a family dinner.
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Photo of the finished dish for the recipe Turkish Meatballs

Good reasons to make turkish meatballs

This version of Turkish Meatballs is packed with herbs and spices that give the meat a unique depth of flavour. The recipe is straightforward and uses basic ingredients you likely already have in your cupboard. Because they are pan-fried, they develop a nice crust while staying tender on the inside. It is a versatile dish that works well for both lunch and dinner.

How to make turkish meatballs

Step 1
Prepare ingredients: Grate the onion into a large mixing bowl and add the crushed garlic cloves. Finely chop the fresh parsley and add it to the bowl along with the cumin, coriander, salt and pepper.
Step 2
Mix meat: Add the minced lamb, breadcrumbs and the egg to the bowl with the spices and vegetables. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly distributed through the meat.
Step 3
Shape meatballs: Take a small amount of the mixture and roll it between your palms to form an oval shape or a small flat patty. Repeat this process until all the meat mixture has been used up.
Step 4
Cook meatballs: Heat a little oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Cook the meatballs in batches for about four minutes on each side until they are browned and cooked all the way through.

Good advice for turkish meatballs

To ensure your Turkish Meatballs stay juicy, try not to overwork the meat when mixing the ingredients. Grating the onion instead of chopping it provides extra moisture which helps the texture. If you have time, let the mixture rest in the fridge for half an hour before you start shaping the patties. This helps the flavours develop and makes the meat easier to handle.

You can also experiment with different meats by using beef or a mix of both lamb and beef. If you prefer a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the spice mix. Using fresh parsley is important as it provides a bright contrast to the rich spices. Always make sure your pan is hot before adding the meat to get a good sear on the outside.

You may also like breaded plaice fillet, oat balls or roast beef with vegetables.

Ingredients

servings
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  • 500 g minced lamb
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 50 g breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 bunch fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking time

Kitchen tools

Nutrition information

NUTRITIONper serving
  • Energy:1318 kJ / 315 kcal
  • Fat:19 g
  • - of which saturates:8 g
  • Carbohydrates:12 g
  • - of which sugars:1 g
  • Protein:24 g
  • Fibre:1 g
  • Salt:650 mg

People also ask

You can keep cooked Turkish Meatballs in an airtight container for up to three days. They are easy to reheat in a pan with a little oil or in the microwave until hot.
Yes, you can freeze Turkish Meatballs either raw or cooked for up to three months. If freezing them raw, place them on a tray separately first so they do not stick together.
Turkish Meatballs usually takes about 15 minutes to make. The time can vary slightly with the quantity and method. Check the texture towards the end.
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