Buffalo Turkey Meatballs
Try a spicy new take on the classic meatball with my Buffalo Turkey Meatballs! They follow the basic framework of a meatball––meat, egg, breadcrumbs—with a flavor explosion from hot sauce and extra seasoning. Step aside Buffalo chicken wings, here come Buffalo meatballs!
Buffalo Turkey Meatballs
Does anyone else feel like chicken is too often the only poultry option? It is such a staple at restaurants, sandwich shops, and for home cooks alike. It’s mild flavor, affordability and ease of preparation has made it a staple in so many of our diets. This is a great reason to add turkey meatballs into your meal rotation!
Typically, when we think of preparing turkey, it is for the annual 20 pound bird roast on Thanksgiving. This is a lot of work! Not something that we would entertain doing often, especially not on a weeknight. My Buffalo Turkey Meatballs gives us a way to enjoy turkey, in under 45 minutes.
Turkey Nutrition1
The benefits of eating turkey is similar to chicken with a few micronutrients differences. Turkey is a great source of lean protein, in a 4 ounce serving there are just 170 calories and a robust 21 grams of protein. Protein is essential for muscle growth, maintenance and gives structure to cells and helps transport nutrients around the body.
Turkey boasts an impressive amount of B-vitamins, namely niacin (B6) which is needed for energy production and cell communication. It is also rich in the minerals selenium which is key for regulating your metabolism.
Will Buffalo Turkey Meatballs Make you Sleepy?2
One of the most common food science factoids is “turkey makes you sleep because it has tryptophan.” The rationale behind this is that the high content of L-tryptophan (one of twenty different types of amino acids) in turkey is converted into serotonin, which makes us calm and sleepy.
Science shows us that L-tryptophan is only able to make us sleepy if it is eaten alone, without being consumed with other amino acids. Turkey – and my meatballs – are rich in plenty of other amino acids. So, fear not, when you consume these it will not lead to become sleepy from the turkey consumption!
The more likely reason for the feeling of drowsiness and needing a nap after Thanksgiving is from eating a BIG meal. Whenever we eat a meal our body needs to send blood flow to the stomach to digest the meal. So, that big Thanksgiving meal leads to less blood flow to the brain, leading to a feeling of sleepiness.
Buffalo Sauce
My Buffalo Turkey Meatballs make for a delicious appetizer or an add-in to pasta, subs, or enjoyed in a grain bowl. The kick from hot sauce is real in the Buffalo Turkey Meatballs and go to the next level after you make the buffalo sauce. Simply mix sour cream or yogurt with hot sauce.
My recommendation is to slowly add the hot sauce, tasting as you go till you get to the right spice level for you and yours. This buffalo sauce is the ultimate dip and the dairy adds a creaminess that adds flavor and mellows out the heat.
Lets Get Meatballing!
Now that the turkey nap myth has been busted we can go ahead and mix a batch of my Buffalo Turkey Meatballs! Simply mix all of the ingredients, roll into balls and bake—quick and easy. Feel free to blend up stale bread for the bread crumbs and use fresh garlic and onion if you have the time. You can also add fresh herbs like parsley or oregano for a touch of brightness. Enjoy!
Similar Pages
Looking for more mouth-watering meatball recipes? Try my Greek Lamb Meatballs, Asian Turkey Meatballs, and for a plant-based variation Vegan Meatballs.
References
- FoodData Central. Accessed May 13, 2021. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/172850/nutrients
- Does Eating Turkey Make Me Sleepy? Accessed May 13, 2021. https://www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/Patients-Families/Health-Library/HealthDocNew/Does-Eating-Turkey-Make-Me-Sleepy
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 stalk celery minced
- 1 egg beaten
- 2 tablespoons Frank’s Red Hot sauce or hot sauce of choice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Buffalo sauce:
- 3 tablespoons sour cream or plain yogurt
- ½ cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce or hot sauce of choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with oil spray.
- In a bowl, mix together turkey, bread crumbs, celery, egg, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Form into 1 ½ to 2-inch meatballs and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes till golden brown. Transfer to platter.
- Buffalo sauce: In a bowl, add sour cream and hot sauce and mix well.
- Serve meatballs with buffalo sauce.
Video
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