EatBetterEatBetter
Foods ▾
Ready & Packaged FoodsVegetables & LegumesDesserts & ConfectioneryMeat & ProteinGrains & BakeryBeveragesMilk & DairyNatural & Other Foods

Ready & Packaged Foods

All →
Fast Food & RestaurantBurgers · Pizza · Doner & Wrap · Fried Sides · Restaurant Menu Items

Explore foods by category, subcategory or brand

CompareBrands
Tools ▾

Calorie Calculator

Work out your daily calorie needs

BMI Calculator

Body mass index from your height and weight

Food GuideCompareBlog
TR
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
Several round beef meatballs with deeply browned, slightly uneven surfaces and a coarse, firm texture are arranged on a plain plate, with their cut centers showing a dense brown interior.
●Low GI
💪High Protein

Beef Meatballs Calories

High protein, iron-rich, classic comfort food

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES

210kcal

GI

35low

POTASSIUM

260mg

FIBER

0.7g

Quick answer

3 piece (medium) of Beef Meatballs (90 g) has 189 calories. That works out to 210 calories per 100 g. It contains 6.5 g of carbs, 14.9 g of protein, 11.9 g of fat and 0.6 g of fiber. Its 1.9 µg of B12 covers 79% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 35 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

What is Beef Meatballs?

Beef Meatballs are made from ground beef shaped into small rounds or patties and cooked until browned. In Turkey, beef köfte is a familiar home-style dish as well as a staple on restaurant grills; recipes vary, often with onion and seasonings mixed into the meat. The outside turns savoury and browned while the centre stays dense and meaty.

They’re commonly served with rice, grilled tomatoes and peppers, salad or yoghurt, and are also good tucked into flatbread. For English-speaking diners elsewhere, they work much like other meatballs: serve them with vegetables or add them to a sandwich. They offer a substantial source of protein, with 16.5 g per 100 g. Grilling rather than pan-frying and pairing them with a fresh salad makes for a lighter plate.

Beef Meatballs Nutrition Facts

Selected: 100 g

210

KCAL / 100G

Carbs

7.2g

· 3% DV

Protein

16.5g

· 33% DV

Fat

13.2g

· 17% DV

Fiber

0.7g

· 3% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 13% · Protein 31% · Fat 56%

Beef Meatballs Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B12

2.1µg · 88% DV

B3

3.9mg · 24% DV

B6

0.28mg · 16% DV

B2

0.19mg · 15% DV

Minerals

Zinc

4mg · 36% DV

Selenium

13µg · 24% DV

Phosphorus

170mg · 24% DV

Sodium

420mg · 18% DV

How Nutritious Is Beef Meatballs?

Nutrient density

High

65/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

47/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Beef Meatballs Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

35
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

2.5
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Beef Meatballs

To burn the 210 calories in 100 g:

🚶

52min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

21min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

29min

Cycling

🏊

24min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

Is Beef Meatballs Processed?

NOVA 2

Minimally Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Beef Meatballs Contain Allergens?

No known major allergens

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Beef Meatballs Good For?

Vegan

— Not suitable

Vegetarian

— Not suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

✓ Suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

✓ Suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Beef Meatballs Fat Profile

SATURATED

5.1g

MONOUNSATURATED

5.2g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.3g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 1.9:1

Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.

Compare Beef Meatballs

🥩vs🥩
Beef Meatballs vs Ground Beef40 kcal fewer per 100 g
→
🥩vs🍢
Beef Meatballs vs Chicken Skewer70 kcal more per 100 g
→
🥩vs🥩
Beef Meatballs vs Sauteed Lamb20 kcal fewer per 100 g
→
🥩vs🍗
Beef Meatballs vs Smoked Turkey100 kcal more per 100 g
→

Foods Similar to Beef Meatballs

🥩

Ground Beef

250 kcal

🍢

Chicken Skewer

140 kcal

🥩

Sauteed Lamb

230 kcal

🍗

Smoked Turkey

110 kcal

🥩

Beef Kavurma

230 kcal

🍆🍖

Meatballs with Eggplant Purée

155 kcal

🥩

Beef Cubed

250 kcal

🍗

Chicken (Sauteed)

165 kcal

Frequently Asked Questions About Beef Meatballs

How do you make beef meatballs?

Beef meatballs are made by combining ground beef with seasoning and a binder, shaping the mixture, then cooking it. Breadcrumbs and egg are common additions, while onion, garlic, herbs, and spices vary by recipe.

Why do beef meatballs fall apart?

Beef meatballs usually fall apart when the mixture is too wet, lacks enough binder, or has not been mixed enough to hold together. Chill the shaped meatballs before cooking, and turn them only after a crust forms.

How do you keep beef meatballs tender?

To keep beef meatballs tender, use beef with some fat and mix the ingredients only until combined. Overworking the mixture and cooking the meatballs for too long can make them dense and dry.

What kind of ground beef is best for beef meatballs?

Ground beef with some fat is best for juicy beef meatballs. Very lean beef can turn dry during cooking, while a moderate amount of fat helps the meatballs stay moist and carry the seasoning.

Can you bake beef meatballs instead of frying them?

Yes, beef meatballs can be baked on a lined, lightly spaced baking tray. Bake until the centers are fully cooked, checking a larger meatball before serving; browning and cooking time vary with their size and your oven.

What should you serve with beef meatballs?

Beef meatballs go well with pasta and tomato sauce, mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables. For a lighter plate, pair them with a crisp salad or cooked greens.

Can you freeze raw beef meatballs?

Yes, you can freeze raw beef meatballs. Arrange them in a single layer until firm, then transfer them to a sealed freezer-safe container so they do not stick together; thaw them safely before cooking.

How can you tell when beef meatballs are cooked through?

Beef meatballs are cooked through when the center reaches a safe temperature, not just when the outside is browned. Use a food thermometer in the middle of the largest meatball, since color alone can be misleading.

Can you make beef meatballs without breadcrumbs?

Yes, beef meatballs can be made without breadcrumbs. Finely grated onion, a small amount of oat flour, or another suitable binder can help the mixture hold together, though the texture will differ from a breadcrumb-based recipe.

How long do cooked beef meatballs last in the fridge?

Cooked beef meatballs keep for 3–4 days in the refrigerator when stored promptly in a covered container. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat, and make sure it is hot throughout.

Have another question about Beef Meatballs?

Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.

EatBetter

Scan calories with your camera

Instant AI nutrition analysis

App StoreGoogle Play

Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.