{"id":5412,"date":"2022-03-17T19:42:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-18T00:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slimmingeats.com\/blog\/?p=5412"},"modified":"2025-09-04T16:45:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T21:45:05","slug":"southwestern-turkey-meatballs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slimmingeats.com\/blog\/southwestern-turkey-meatballs","title":{"rendered":"Southwestern Turkey Meatballs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Southwestern Turkey Meatballs - delicious turkey meatballs in a amazing spicy Southwestern Style Sauce with black beans, corn and veggies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Southwestern Meatballs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My favourite way to cook ground turkey, is always in a sauce and these Southwestern Turkey Meatballs are delicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They go perfectly with a variety of sides. Plus you can control the amount of heat, by how much cayenne pepper you add. So if your kids don't like really spicy, it's easily adjustable to accommodate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making Turkey Meatballs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ground Turkey or Turkey mince can sometimes be a bit dry especially if you are buying really lean like 98% fat free. I personally don't like to go any leaner than 5% fat when making meatballs or burgers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I add in a small amount of breadcrumbs and an egg along with the seasonings just to keep them tender and then part bake them in the oven, to give them a lightly golden exterior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Substitutes for Breadcrumbs in Meatballs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don't want to use breadcrumbs in the meatballs, you can keep them tender by adding in a little grated courgette (zucchini) or some mushrooms with you pulse fine in a food processor. You don't want to add too much or the meatballs will fall apart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skip the egg if you are adding courgette or mushrooms as it's not needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However I still prefer the final result with breadcrumbs, so it's worth using them if you can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cooking Meatballs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I prefer to part cook the meatballs by baking them in the oven before dropping them into the sauce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can pan fry them in some spray oil, but I find it's hard to get the perfect even colour all over them and they don't hold that perfect round shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baking them in the oven on a little parchment paper gives them a lovely golden colour all over and they stay perfectly round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Can I use other ground meat (mince) for Meatballs<\/strong>?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yep, you sure can. If you don't like or fancy Turkey, then any mince will work. Beef, chicken or even pork. Lamb would be a bit too rich tasting for this dish so I don't recommend it. But any of the others are fine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sides for Southwestern Turkey Meatballs.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pretty much anything will go with these meatballs, potato wedges, homemade oven chips, rice, or even a baked potato.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My favourite items to serve with these are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cooked Long Grain Rice, Avocado, Lime Wedges and some coriander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are want to go a bit lighter on the carbs for a side dish, then this Roasted Cauliflower Rice<\/strong><\/a> is perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

or if you want a rice with a bit more flavour then this Lime Cilantro Rice<\/strong><\/a> is yummy with these meatballs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some soured cream is a great addition to these too as well as some grated cheddar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Meatball Recipes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you love meatballs here are some other delicious recipes you can make:<\/p>\n\n\n\n