Easy Homemade Turkey Meatball Recipe for T1D College Students

Guest Blogger
Category: Health and Wellness

For teens living with diabetes, heading off to college can also mean heading into the kitchen for the first time. To help equip college-bound kids for their new role, we partnered with Diabetes Hope Foundation to create a recipe guide that includes this super-easy homemade turkey meatballs recipe that will keep them powered up through study sessions.

3 Quick Tips: 

  • Tip 1: Depending on the size of your frypan you may need to fry in batches. Add more oil between batches if the skillet looks dry.               
  • Tip 2: To ensure meat is cooked, an internal thermometer should read 165 ̊F for 15 seconds.         
  • Tip 3: You can freeze any extra raw meatballs and store in your freezer for up to 1 month. Just arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, about 1 hour, then transfer to a freezer safe baggy or container and store to use later. 

Ingredients:                 
2 lb. of ground turkey
1 cup breadcrumbs (or panko or rolled oats) 
2/3 cup onion, minced
1⁄2 cup fresh parsley, minced
2 large eggs
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. Worcestershire or soy sauce
1⁄2 tsp. dried basil
1⁄2 tsp. dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1⁄4 cup olive oil                  

Instructions:                

  • In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, onion, parsley, eggs, garlic, Worcestershire sauce/soy sauce, basil, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper.                   
  • Using a strong spatula or your hands, mix well until all ingredients are combined, and then shape the mixture into 1-inch diameter balls.              
  • To cook the meatballs, you have the option of baking them, or frying them. Both options are below.                         

To bake the meatballs:

  •  Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. Arrange meatballs on baking sheet, brush with oil, and bake for 15-20 minutes until browned. The edges should be crispy.

                                 
To fry the meatballs:                  

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the meatballs in the hot oil for 5 to 7 minutes until browned on all sides. You may need to fry them in batches. Let cooked meatballs sit on a paper towel on a plate to absorb some of the extra oils. 

Nutritional Information:

Recipe Servings: 5 meatballs
Calories: 473
Carbs: 16
Fiber: 1
Sugar: 1
Protein: 41

Discover more simple, healthy recipes in the Diabetes Hope Foundation’s Transition in the Kitchen Recipe Guide and Webinar series, which aims to help youth-in-transition and their families learn how to manage their diabetes through healthy cooking and nutrition.