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Turkish Meatballs

These Turkish Meatballs are made with ground beef and lamb, hugged in an easy to make tomato based sauce. Perfect for dinner and quick to make too.

These Turkish Meatballs are made with ground beef and lamb (or choose only one), hugged in an easy to make tomato based sauce

By now you should know we love our meatballs and these Turkish Meatballs are a new(-ish) favorite ! The combination of beef and lamb is just amazing.

I barely ever combine two different types of meat, but this recipe just works.  Before sharing the recipe with you, I tried all the variants, both meats, only beef and then only lamb.

These Turkish Meatballs are made with ground beef and lamb (or choose only one), hugged in an easy to make tomato based sauce

Using both ground beef and lamb was the winner by far. Only ground lamb in the Turkish Meatballs came in second.

Lamb (all types, ground, roast etc) has become very expensive over the years. But a packet of ground Lamb mixed in with the ground Beef made the dish a little more economical as well.

I used to make Leg of Lamb roasts so often, but haven’t made one in years – because of the price ! However, the other day we had a promotion at our local butcher and I grabbed one.

Absolutely still the best Sunday roast !

These Turkish Meatballs are made with ground beef and lamb (or choose only one), hugged in an easy to make tomato based sauce

No one really knows the origin of meatballs, but I do remember my granny used to make them, using leftover meats. She also had a meat mincer, which means she could have used just about any meat in a meatball.

Can you freeze meatballs ?

Meatballs are also freezer friendly, unless a specific recipe indicates otherwise. I prefer to only freeze the meatballs and make the sauce on the day of serving.

The reason I (mostly) freeze the meatballs only, is because I freeze them uncooked, which lasts longer in the freezer.

  • Uncooked meatballs – around three months (my preference), but can be stored for up to four months
  • Cooked meatballs – two months

How do you thaw meatballs ? 

Overnight in the refrigerator is always best.

These Turkish Meatballs are made with ground beef and lamb (or choose only one), hugged in an easy to make tomato based sauce #MeatballRecipes #Meatballs #GroundLamb and #GroundBeef

Besides the two meats, the spices works so well together in this recipe, it is always a winner. You will notice I use a lot of Parsley as well and I chop the Parsley fairly rough, both – for the meatballs as well as the sauce.

Not only does the Parsley add a bit of color, but it adds taste as well.

The sauce is only enough to hug each and every meatball nicely, therefore not a saucy meatball dish. However, you can always double up on the sauce ingredients.

I serve these meatballs mainly as dinner over pasta or even rice, but now and then I’d stick in a toothpick or something similar and add them to my savory platters.

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Turkish Meatballs

Turkish Meatballs

Turkish Meatballs

Linda Nortje
These Turkish Meatballs are made with ground beef and lamb, hugged in an easy to make tomato based sauce (one meat only can also be used)
4.91 from 10 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dinner
Cuisine Turkish
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 635.4 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 TB Olive Oil divided

MEATBALLS:

  • 1 Onion small, finely chopped
  • 2 t Garlic fresh, crushed
  • 2 t Ground Cumin
  • 2 t Ground Coriander
  • t Ground Cinnamon
  • 350 grams Lean Ground Beef 12 oz - see note below
  • 350 grams Ground Lamb 12 oz - see note below
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs fresh
  • 1 large Egg lightly beaten
  • ½ cup Parsley roughly chopped
  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste

TOMATO SAUCE:

  • 1 can 400g Tomato Puree ( 14 oz )
  • 1 TB Sugar
  • 1 t Garlic Salt
  • ½ t Dried Chilies
  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste
  • ½ cup Parsley chopped

TO SERVE:

  • Lemon Wedges

Instructions
 

  • Heat 1 - 2 teaspoons Olive Oil in a large skillet - saute the Onion (also add the Garlic, Ground Cumin, Coriander and Cinnamon) until soft - remove from heat and cool
  • Combine the Onion mixture with the Ground meat, Breadcrumbs, Egg, Parsley and season to taste with Salt and Pepper - roll into smallish balls (approximately 2.5 cm / 1 inch )
  • Heat the remaining Oil in the same skillet and fry the meatballs until done, stir-frying style (in batches) - transfer to a plate lined with paper towel to absorb any excessive Oil
  • Meanwhile make the Tomato Sauce - use a medium saucepan with a lid - add the Tomato Puree, Sugar, Garlic Salt and Dried Chilies - simmer 20 minutes - season to taste with Salt and Pepper
  • Stir in the Parsley and pour the Sauce over the cooked Meatballs
  • Serve with Lemon wedges on the side

Notes

  • You can use a combination of Beef and Lamb or only one meat, although I highly recommend the Beef/Lamb combo !
  • Double all the ingredients for the Tomato Sauce if you prefer a saucier dish
Nutrition Facts
Turkish Meatballs
Amount per Serving
Calories
635.4
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
37
g
57
%
Saturated Fat
 
13
g
81
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
21
g
Carbohydrates
 
16.7
g
6
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
11
g
12
%
Protein
 
34.3
g
69
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition value, where given, is not always accurate. Please also check your ingredient labels.
These Turkish Meatballs are made with ground beef and lamb (or choose only one), hugged in an easy to make tomato based sauce #MeatballRecipes #Meatballs #GroundLamb and #GroundBeef

 

These Turkish Meatballs are made with ground beef and lamb (or choose only one), hugged in an easy to make tomato based sauce #MeatballRecipes #Meatballs #GroundLamb and #GroundBeef

4.91 from 10 votes (10 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




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