Lemon-Feta Turkey Meatballs
By Joe
Source: America's Test Kitchen.
Turkey mince is bound with mayonnaise and panko rather than egg, then studded with crumbled feta, dill and lemon zest for a bright, tangy meatball. A quick covered steam after browning carries the centres to a safe temperature without drying out the lean meat.
Always check the labels of the products you use.
Method
- 1
Mix the meatballs. Combine the feta, panko, mayonnaise, dill, garlic, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the turkey mince and mix with your hands until thoroughly combined.
- 2
Shape and chill. Divide the mixture into 16 portions, about 2 tbsp each. Roll each portion between wet hands to form a ball. Transfer to a plate and refrigerate for 30 min.
- 3
Brown the meatballs. Heat the oil in a 30 cm non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the meatballs and cook, turning often, until browned all over, 5-7 min.
- 4
Steam through and serve. Cover the frying pan and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, shaking and rotating the pan occasionally, until the meatballs register 74 °C, 3-5 min longer. Serve.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and eat within 3-4 days, reheated gently until piping hot. Cool leftovers in a shallow container and refrigerate within 2 hours (within 1 hour on a day above 32°C).
Why this label?
21.1 g protein for 309 kcal = 6.8 g per 100 kcal, so protein gives about 27% of the energy. High protein needs at least 20% (5 g per 100 kcal), the condition in the Annex to EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. How we decide
EU nutrition claims
- Sugar-free: 0.4 g sugars per 100 g (limit ≤ 0.5 g)
Per 100 g of the finished dish, worked out from the nutrition per serving and the lowest likely cooked weight (about 107 g a serving), so the true values are, if anything, lower. Thresholds from the Annex to EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. How we decide
Free sugars
0 g per serving
0 % of the 50 g daily maximum · 0 % of the ideal 25 g
Free sugars under 50 g a day, ideally about 25 g, based on WHO free-sugar guidance (not endorsed by WHO). The share shown is the share of one serving. WHO
Equipment
- large bowl
- fine grater
- plate
- 30 cm non-stick frying pan
- tongs
- instant-read thermometer
Nutrition per serving Calculated from USDA FoodData Central
| Per serving | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | 309 kcal |
| Protein | 21.1 g |
| Carbohydrate | 4.9 g |
| of which sugars | 0.4 g |
| of which free sugars | 0 g |
| Fat | 22.8 g |
| of which saturates | 5.6 g |
| Fibre | 0.4 g |
| Salt | 1.42 g |
Protein per 100 kcal
6.8 g meets High protein (≥ 5 g per 100 kcal = 20% of energy, and ≥ 10 g per serving)
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient values
